Senior Scientist - Content Screening

Senior Scientist - High Content Screening

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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. We work with some of the top research organizations and facilities in the country including multiple institutes at the National Institutes of Health (NIH).

Benefits We

Offer:

• 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)

Axle is seeking a Senior Scientist experienced in High Content Screening (HCS) to support research programs within the Department of Preclinical Innovation (DPI) at the National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences (NCATS). The scientist will provide advanced expertise in quantitative image-based cell assays, high-content screening technologies, and data analysis to enable translational research efforts across NCATS. The role involves collaboration with NCATS investigators, technical leadership in HCS assay development, and stewardship of complex screening and computational infrastructure.

Key Responsibilities

• High Content Screening and Assay Development
  :
  Design, optimize, and execute quantitative cell-based and image-based assays for high-content screening applications, specifically with small molecules or siRNAs
• Support assays using 2D cultures, 3D spheroids, and organoid models, with demonstrated experience supporting stem cell–derived and disease-relevant models
• Select and configure automated microscopy systems, plate readers, and acquisition parameters to ensure optimal data quality (e.g., Revvity Opera Phenix, Molecular Devices Image Xpress, and other NCATS imaging systems)
• Provide scientific and technical guidance on assay design, feasibility, and interpretation of screening results
• Support primary, secondary, and mechanistic follow-up screens, including dose–response studies

• Image Analysis and Data Science
• Develop, implement, and maintain image analysis workflows using commercial HCS platforms (e.g., Revvity Signals Image Artist, Revvity Columbus) and open-source software
• Create custom analytical solutions when commercial tools are insufficient, including classical image processing, statistical methods, and machine learning–based approaches for segmentation, feature extraction, and phenotypic classification
• Analyze large, high-dimensional datasets and present results to NCATS investigators and project teams
• Apply supervised and unsupervised learning methods to support mechanism-of-action studies and phenotypic profiling

• HCS Infrastructure and Computational Support
• Support and help maintain state-of-the-art HCS infrastructure, including automated microscopes, robotic liquid handling systems, and related software
• Collaborate with NCATS IT and informatics teams to ensure data storage, networking, security, and HPC solutions for large image datasets
• Assist with evaluation, integration, and validation of new instrumentation, software, and analytical platforms

• Collaboration, Training, and Leadership
• Work closely with NCATS biologists, project leads, and technical staff to understand scientific goals and technical requirements
• Train and mentor NCATS researchers in HCS instrumentation, software tools, and analytical methods
• Organize and lead imaging workshops and training sessions with vendors and internal stakeholders to disseminate advanced microscopy and HCS methodologies
• Provide day-to-day technical support and sustained scientific collaboration on long-term projects
• Contribute intellectual input to experimental design, analysis strategies, and interpretation of complex datasets

• Scientific Contributions
• Support collaborative research efforts that lead to peer-reviewed publications, reports, and internal deliverables
• Assist in dissemination and adoption of advanced HCS methodologies across NCATS research teams
• Promote best practices in quantitative imaging, data quality, and…