Scientist

(ID: 2026-3167)

Axle is a bioscience and information technology company that offers advancements in translational research, biomedical informatics, and data science applications to research centers and healthcare organizations nationally and abroad. With experts in biomedical science, software engineering, and program management, we focus on developing and applying research tools and techniques to empower decision-making and accelerate research discoveries. We work with some of the top research organizations and facilities in the country including multiple institutes at the National Institutes of Health (NIH).

Axle is seeking a Scientist to join our vibrant team at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) supporting the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) located in Bethesda, MD.

Benefits We Offer:

• 100% Medical, Dental & Vision Coverage for Employees
• Paid Time Off and Paid Holidays
• 401K match up to 5%
• Educational Benefits for Career Growth
• Employee Referral Bonus
• Flexible Spending Accounts:
  • Healthcare (FSA)
  • Parking Reimbursement Account (PRK)
  • Dependent Care Assistant Program (DCAP)
  • Transportation Reimbursement Account (TRN)

Position Overview

The Scientist will support NINDS's laboratory research program, contributing to the planning and execution of experiments including HIV infection studies in CNS-relevant cell types, plasmid construction and gene-editing work using CRISPR/Cas9, and the evaluation of new laboratory techniques and instrumentation. The role also involves supporting laboratory staff with data interpretation and statistical analysis, maintaining and training others on laboratory equipment, and communicating research findings through technical reports, manuscripts, and presentations at scientific meetings. A Master's degree is required, along with extensive knowledge of virology, cell and molecular biology, molecular genetics, and cellular biochemistry, and a minimum of five years of laboratory experience. Candidates should have strong expertise in molecular biology and genetics techniques, cellular immunophenotype analysis, and cell culture.

Certifications & Licenses

• Extensive knowledge of virology, cell and molecular biology, molecular genetics, and cellular biochemistry, with the ability to analyze and evaluate research findings and learn new techniques.
• Minimum of five (5) years of laboratory experience.

Field of Study

• Biology

Software

• Microsoft Suite

Skills

• Strong expertise in the techniques of molecular biology and molecular genetics, in cellular immunophenotype analysis, and in cell culture.

Deliverables

• Meet with lab members to present updates — Ad-Hoc
• Work products and documents related to cell cultures (cell lines, PBMCs, primary astrocytes, hematopoietic stem cells, iPS, etc.), purification of CD34 cells, stable cell generation, cell migration assay, cell toxicity assay, apoptosis detection, FACS, etc. — Ad-Hoc
• Work products and documents related to performing HIV isolation and propagation, HIV making by transfection, HIV infection and blocking assays, cocultures and transwell cultures, viral titration, and other HIV-relative experiments. — Ad-Hoc
• Work products and documents related to performing plasmid construction and preparation, gene expression and detection, gene-editing and HDR by CRISPR/Cas9 technology, and other molecular biology experiments (such as preparation and quantification of DNA and RNA, sequencing, PCR, DNA transfection, RT-PCR, real-time qPCR and so on); perform immunostaining, ELISA, Western blot analysis, cell imaging, phase/fluorescence microscopy, electron microscopy, etc. — Ad-Hoc
• Work products and documents related to studying HIV, plasmids, primary astrocytes, CRISPR/Cas9 gene-editing. — Ad-Hoc
• Work products and documents related to interpreting experimental techniques and procedures. — Ad-Hoc
• Work products and documents related to performing scientific literature searches; write and submit research papers to peer-reviewed scientific journals; contribute to collaborative research projects with other laboratories and departments. — Ad-Hoc

Statement of Work Details

• Perform HIV infection in a variety of CNS-relevant cell types including macrophages and astrocytes to evaluate the effect on expression of HERV-K; determine the relationship between HIV-induced HERV-K expression and development of cellular senescence. — 1
• Perform plasmid construction and preparation, gene expression and detection, gene-editing and HDR by CRISPR/Cas9 technology, and other molecular biology experiments (such as preparation and quantification of DNA and RNA, sequencing, PCR, DNA transfection, RT-PCR, real-time qPCR and so on); perform immunostaining, ELISA, Western blot analysis, cell imaging, phase/fluorescence microscopy, electron microscopy, etc. — 2
• Evaluate new techniques, instruments, and software for potential incorporation into current SOP. — 3
• Work with staff on the interpretation of experiments performed by research scientists.
• Work with postdoc/biological scientists to perform statistical analysis for research projects.
• Collaborate on and contribute to research projects with other laboratories and departments.
• Train staff on the proper usage of laboratory instruments and equipment.
• Maintain and perform staff training on scientific instrumentation, including HPLCs, microanalytical balances, centrifuges, spectrophotometers, vacuum apparatus, and analytical equipment.
• Manage scientific equipment and resources (e.g., reagents, stocks of frozen cells, animal samples) including acquisition, documentation, and storage.
• Participate in the laboratory's review of future proposals for resource allocations.
• Write technical reports and prepare manuscripts.
• Present findings at local, national, and international meetings.
• Work with staff to confirm assay results and evaluate new techniques and instruments; search literature; propose, design, and test alternative assays for difficult screening targets; and develop secondary assays.