Post Baccalaureate Fellow- Computational (req2438)
Posted: 2/1/2022
Location: Frederick, MD
Employee Type: nonexempt full-time
Job ID: req2438
PROGRAM DESCRIPTION
The Cancer Research Technology Program (CRTP) develops and implements emerging technology, cancer biology expertise and research capabilities to accomplish NCI research objectives. The CRTP is an outward-facing, multi-disciplinary hub purposed to enable the external cancer research community. A major focus of the CRTP is the NCI RAS Initiative with the goal to discover new therapeutic interventions against RAS-driven cancers. In addition, the CRTP hosts the Nanotechnology Characterization Laboratory (NCL) which performs and standardizes preclinical efficacy and toxicity testing of nanoparticles intended for cancer therapeutics and diagnostics, and the Antibody Characterization Lab (ACL) which characterizes monoclonal antibodies or other renewable affinity binding reagents for use in cancer related research. CRTP scientists also work collaboratively with intramural NCI investigators to provide research technologies and expertise.
KEY ROLES/RESPONSIBILITIES
The Post Baccalaureate (Post Bac) will:
Work closely with a highly collaborative multidisciplinary team of chemists, biochemists, biophysicists, and cell and structural biologists at the NCI RAS Initiative to develop and optimize small molecules to modulate/inhibit RAS proteins.
Work as a member of the RAS Computational Chemistry team.
Aid in performing computational ligand (drug) discovery (screening large virtual databases of hundreds of millions of small molecules using docking software) to target RAS proteins.
Aid in optimizing hits using computational methods including Chemical Informatics and Free-Energy calculations.
Work closely with experimental collaborators.
Stay informed of the latest findings in cancer research and computational methods for drug discovery.
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
To be considered for this position, you must minimally meet the knowledge, skills, and abilities listed below:
Possession of a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university according to the Council for Higher Education Accreditation. Foreign degrees must be evaluated for U.S. equivalency
No work experience required beyond the bachelor's degree
A background in Computational Chemistry, Computational Biology, or related field
Ability to obtain and maintain a security clearance
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
Candidates with these desired skills will be given preferential consideration:
Knowledge of computer languages (e.g. Python, Shell script, C, C++, or Fortran)
Knowledge of computational techniques for drug discovery: molecular docking, molecular dynamics
Experience applying structure-based drug design to a research project
Knowledge of a Unix/Linux operating system, familiarity with running jobs on a Linux cluster using a queuing system
Ability to balance workload over multiple projects
Strong written and oral communications skills
Self-motivation, and ability to work effectively as part of a collaborative, multidisciplinary team
The Postbac Program is for individuals who meet any ONE of the following criteria:
College graduates who received their bachelor's degrees less than THREE years prior to the date they begin the program
Individuals who are more than 3 years past the receipt of their bachelor's degree but received a master's degree less than SIX MONTHS before they begin the program, OR
Students who have been accepted into graduate, other doctoral, or medical school programs and who have written permission from their school to delay entrance for up to one year to pursue a biomedical research project at the NIH