Senior Scientist

Job Family:

Travel Required:

Clearance Required:

What You Will Do:

We are looking for a Senior Scientist to support the National Institute on Aging by leading and executing advanced laboratory research activities, including human taste organoid culture, molecular biology, bioinformatics analysis, animal research studies, manuscript development, and staff mentorship. This position is a full-time position located in Baltimore, MD.

• Lead advanced laboratory research activities for the NIA Diabetes Section, including human taste organoid culture, stem cell methods, animal model systems, molecular biology, metabolism, taste transduction, and aging- or disease-related research studies.

• Design, plan, execute, and interpret complex experiments; evaluate hypotheses, recommend new approaches, update SOPs, ensure reproducibility, and align research activities with laboratory priorities and scientific literature.

• Perform and guide advanced data analysis using R and/or Python, including proteomic, transcriptomic, epigenetic, cDNA microarray, RNAseq, imaging, and bioinformatics data; develop visualizations and summaries to communicate research findings.

• Develop and maintain novel 3D static and dynamic culture systems, including hydrogel and basement membrane scaffolds, bioreactors, microgravity culture methods, human taste organoid expansion procedures, and related experimental workflows.

• Provide scientific leadership and mentorship to junior staff, postdoctoral fellows, trainees, biologists, and other laboratory personnel on assay design, method development, data interpretation, animal care procedures, equipment use, microscopy, HALO imaging software, and advanced experimentation.

• Manage laboratory operations, equipment, reagents, frozen cell stocks, animal samples, biopsy inventories, clinical samples, de-identified participant data, databases, electronic laboratory notebooks, instrument schedules, and emergency equipment support responsibilities.

• Collaborate with NIA, NIH, and external investigators; support animal protocols, breeding programs, genetic crosses, grant applications, literature searches, resource allocation reviews, software coordination, and weekly scientific updates to management.

• Prepare, review, and deliver technical reports, manuscripts, abstracts, publications, presentations, posters, literature reviews, figures, and scientific communications for internal groups, peer-reviewed publications, conferences, and regional, national, or international meetings.

• Maintain clean, orderly, and compliant laboratory space while supporting daily equipment cleaning, validation runs, inspections, experimental planning, molecular biology methods, model development, data analysis, and other deliverables tied to daily research operations.

• Incumbent capture; no other candidates were considered because the incumbent candidate was identified and meets the labor category requirements provided by the customer.

What You Will Need:

• Ph.D. in Chemistry, Biochemistry, Biology, Genetics, Neuroscience, or a related field.
• Minimum of TEN (10) years of advanced scientific expertise experience in molecular biology, biochemistry, cell culture, 3D organoid culture, human organoid media, stem cell biology, epigenetics, aging, disease states, and related research techniques.
• Proficiency with Python, R, Linux, Microsoft Office Suite, data management tools, and bioinformatics approaches used to clean, curate, analyze, interpret, report, and visualize large proteomics, transcriptomics, gene, and research data sets.
• Experience with advanced imaging, live cell culture imaging, optical instrumentation, small animal handling, animal surgery, tissue dissection, and animal model systems used in research studies.
• Ability to apply scientific theories, techniques, and judgment to research design; evaluate findings; and communicate results through reports, presentations, manuscripts, publications, and other scientific work products.
• Strong oral and written communication skills, including the ability to mentor and train junior scientists, postdoctoral fellows, postbaccalaureate staff, visiting fellows, technicians, and other laboratory personnel.
• Must be able to obtain and maintain a Federal or DoD “public trust”; candidates must receive approved adjudication prior to onboarding with Guidehouse. Candidates with an active public trust or suitability are preferred.

What Would Be Nice To Have:

• Ability to develop and update SOPs, support IRP grant applications, integrate research hypotheses with project data, and prepare manuscripts, abstracts, posters, oral presentations, literature reviews, and peer-reviewed publications.
• Familiarity with HALO imaging software, high-complexity image analysis, HPLCs, microanalytical balances, centrifuges, spectrophotometers, vacuum apparatus, optical microscopes, and advanced live-cell imaging equipment.
• Knowledge of human taste organoids, taste stem cells, metabolic disorders, cancer-related taste research, infectious disease models, aging-related research, and transcriptomic, proteomic, epigenetic, cDNA microarray, and RNAseq data.
• Background coordinating laboratory resources, protocols, instrument scheduling, databases, biopsy inventories, clinical samples, de-identified participant data, and related research documentation.
• Demonstrated ability to mentor trainees, support postbaccalaureate staff with graduate school preparation, and present research at regional, national, and international scientific meetings.

What We Offer:

Guidehouse offers a comprehensive, total rewards package that includes competitive compensation and a flexible benefits package that reflects our commitment to creating a diverse and supportive workplace.

Benefits include:

• Medical, Rx, Dental & Vision Insurance

• Personal and Family Sick Time & Company Paid Holidays

• Parental Leave

• 401(k) Retirement Plan

• Group Term Life and Travel Assistance

• Voluntary Life and AD&D Insurance

• Health Savings Account, Health Care & Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts

• Transit and Parking Commuter Benefits

• Short-Term & Long-Term Disability

• Tuition Reimbursement, Personal Development, Certifications & Learning Opportunities

• Employee Referral Program

• Corporate Sponsored Events & Community Outreach

• Care.com annual membership

• Employee Assistance Program

• Supplemental Benefits via Corestream (Critical Care, Hospital Indemnity, Accident Insurance, Legal Assistance and ID theft protection, etc.)

• Position may be eligible for a discretionary variable incentive bonus

About Guidehouse

Guidehouse is an Equal Opportunity Employer–Protected Veterans, Individuals with Disabilities or any other basis protected by law, ordinance, or regulation.

Guidehouse will consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with the requirements of applicable law or ordinance including the Fair Chance Ordinance of Los Angeles and San Francisco.

If you have visited our website for information about employment opportunities, or to apply for a position, and you require an accommodation, please contact Guidehouse Recruiting at 1-571-633-1711 or via email at RecruitingAccommodation@guidehouse.com. All information you provide will be kept confidential and will be used only to the extent required to provide needed reasonable accommodation.

All communication regarding recruitment for a Guidehouse position will be sent from Guidehouse email domains including @guidehouse.com or guidehouse@myworkday.com.  Correspondence received by an applicant from any other domain should be considered unauthorized and will not be honored by Guidehouse.  Note that Guidehouse will never charge a fee or require a money transfer at any stage of the recruitment process and does not collect fees from educational institutions for participation in a recruitment event. Never provide your banking information to a third party purporting to need that information to proceed in the hiring process.

If any person or organization demands money related to a job opportunity with Guidehouse, please report the matter to Guidehouse’s Ethics Hotline. If you want to check the validity of correspondence you have received, please contact recruiting@guidehouse.com. Guidehouse is not responsible for losses incurred (monetary or otherwise) from an applicant’s dealings with unauthorized third parties.

Guidehouse does not accept unsolicited resumes through or from search firms or staffing agencies. All unsolicited resumes will be considered the property of Guidehouse and Guidehouse will not be obligated to pay a placement fee.