Postdoctoral Fellow - ECD

Join the HJF Team!

HJF is seeking a Postdoctoral Fellow to support the En Route & Critical Care Department (ECD), within the Operational Undersea Medicine Directorate (OUMD), located at the Naval Medical Research Center (NMRC) in Silver Spring, MD. HJF provides scientific, technical, and programmatic support services to OUMD.

The Research Post-Doctorate Fellow will assist in multiple research projects in the study of two related areas: 1: in vivo modeling to recapitulate combat-related injuries and sequela in both small and large animals and 2: the development of cellular techniques and/or pharmaceutical treatment regimens to mitigate trauma-induced injury, encourage tissue repair, and/or enable composite tissue transplantation after combat injuries (e.g. burn, blast, amputation, other). He/she will assist in designing, organizing and conducting highly specialized and advanced experiments using established scientific protocols and procedures and in some cases help design new protocols; summarize findings and publish results in research journals; assist in the scientific operations of the laboratory; provide guidance to research assistants/technicians, junior researchers, students, and interns. This position provides a high level of exposure to a wide variety of experimental models, as well as a unique opportunity to learn advanced aspects of both fundamental and clinical research.

The Henry M. Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine (HJF) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing military medicine. We serve military, medical, academic and government clients by administering, managing and supporting preeminent scientific programs that benefit members of the armed forces and civilians alike. Since its founding in 1983, HJF has served as a vital link between the military medical community and its federal and private partners. HJF's support and administrative capabilities allow military medical researchers and clinicians to maintain their scientific focus and accomplish their research goals.

• The employee will work with and under the supervision of the Scientific Director on translational research projects related to cell therapy and regenerative medicine.

• Assist in the design and implementation of research protocols; assist in the design of safety procedures; adapt new procedures, methods or instrumentation relative to research procedures.

• Help oversee media preparation, animal maintenance and equipment maintenance; quality control analysis of reagents.

• Collect, prepare and analyze research data; keep a detailed notebook summarizing experiments and recording research data; maintain computer database of research data; tabulate and display data for presentation in research conferences and for manuscript preparation; use graphics and statistical software to analyze and present data.

• Assist the Scientific Director in supervising other personnel in the laboratory; participate in training of fellows, residents, students and volunteer workers as needed.

• Search pertinent scientific literature as needed.

• Assist with ordering and procurement of supplies and equipment and with general maintenance of laboratory.

• Assist in maintaining external research relationships to identify and develop new funding sources.

• Assists in monitoring the work of junior staff to ensure that correct and safe laboratory procedures are followed; aids in completion of technical tasks and projects. May provide guidance to laboratory staff; help provide input to staffing of project teams to optimize efficiency. Makes sure the lab is well organized, clean and safe.

• Perform other assigned duties.

Education and Experience

• Ph.D. degree in life or biomedical sciences, or a related discipline is required.
• Minimum of 0-5 years experience required.

Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Excellent cellular, molecular and statistical analysis skill sets.
• Ability to effectively assist with projects in a translational research environment in order to successfully meet project goals;
• Ability to assist in designing and executing experiments, critically interpret experimental results, and present data in a cogent and meaningful manner.
• A track record of first-author peer-reviewed publications in scientific journals.
• Research experience in bone cell biology/development, immuno-assay, biochemical and gene expression assay development including multi-analytic proteomic profiling, qRT-PCR, ELISA, mRNA isolation and quantification, cell culture and other basic cellular and molecular biology techniques (DNA isolation, protein extraction, purification, northern, southern, dot and Western blots analysis etc.).
• Good working knowledge and hands-on experience with FAC-Sorting and Flow Cytometry assay development and related applications including ability to develop, run and analyze multicolor panels and assays. The incumbent will be expected to perform a wide variety of complex and highly specialized cell isolation, sorting, culture and processes, including but not limited to, tissue digestion, cell enrichment, dose allocation, cryopreservation, thawing, cell culture and expansion, cell differentiation, and related procedures for autologous and allogeneic cell products from non-human primates, swine and rat tissues.
• Familiarity with SOPs as well as other standard research laboratory practices.
• Must be familiar with large and small animal post-operative care and have no reservations in conducting surgical procedures on mice, rats, and swine.
• Experience with experimental survival surgery will be an advantage.

• Excellent interpersonal, oral/written, and presentation communication skills.

• Eligible to obtain and maintain a Tier I Investigation and Common Access Card (CAC).

Physical Capabilities

• Position involves exposure to chemicals, biological materials, rodents, swine and non-human primates in a laboratory setting. Long periods of standing and/or walking may be required.

Work Environment

• Must be flexible with work schedule and able to work long hours, as well as some nights and weekends.

• This position will take place primarily in a laboratory setting.

Compensation

• The annual salary range for this position is $52,8000 - $65,000. Actual salary will be determined based on experience, education, etc.

Benefits

• HJF offers a comprehensive suite of benefits focused on your health and well-being, from medical, dental, and vision coverage to health savings and retirement plans, and more.

Employment with HJF is contingent upon successful completion of a background check, which may include, but is not limited to, contacting your professional references, verification of previous employment, education and credentials, a criminal background check, and a department of motor vehicle (DMV) check if applicable. Any qualifications to be considered as equivalents, in lieu of stated minimums, require the prior approval of the Chief Human Resources Officer.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities

The contractor will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor's legal duty to furnish information. 41 CFR 60-1.35(c)

Any qualifications to be considered as equivalents, in lieu of stated minimums, require the prior approval of the Chief Human Resources Officer.