Research Technician I

Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center • Seattle, WA

23h • $23 - $33

About The Position

Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center is an independent, nonprofit organization providing adult cancer treatment and groundbreaking research focused on cancer and infectious diseases. Based in Seattle, Fred Hutch is the only National Cancer Institute-designated cancer center in Washington. With a track record of global leadership in bone marrow transplantation, HIV/AIDS prevention, immunotherapy and COVID-19 vaccines, Fred Hutch has earned a reputation as one of the world’s leading cancer, infectious disease and biomedical research centers. Fred Hutch operates eight clinical care sites that provide medical oncology, infusion, radiation, proton therapy and related services, and network affiliations with hospitals in five states. Together, our fully integrated research and clinical care teams seek to discover new cures to the world’s deadliest diseases and make life beyond cancer a reality. At Fred Hutch we value collaboration, compassion, determination, excellence, innovation, integrity and respect. Our mission is directly tied to the humanity, dignity and inherent value of each employee, patient, community member and supporter. Our commitment to learning across our differences and similarities make us stronger. We seek employees who bring different and innovative ways of seeing the world and solving problems. This research opportunity is with the Lund laboratory, Vaccine and Infectious Disease Division. Our lab is recruiting a Research Technician to support and contribute to multiple projects focused on understanding the immune response to viral infection and disease. We use mouse models and human tissue samples to study immunoregulation in context of virus infections that impact mucosal tissue sites, and particularly the genital tract mucosa. The research technician will perform duties to support the laboratory research as a whole, including maintenance of the mouse colony, ordering supplies, and preparing lab reagents. The research technician will be responsible for performing laboratory experiments (viral titer assays, genotyping, ELISA, tissue processing, flow cytometry, etc.) both independently and as part of a research team. They will be responsible for contributing to the experimental workflow on processing samples for flow cytometry analysis from a cohort of women with and without HIV infection to comprehensively evaluate immune activation and dysfunction in the mucosa. In addition, they will contribute to preclinical mouse studies in development of an HSV vaccine, and on a project aimed at understanding the role of progesterone in immune suppression during the menstrual cycle. They will interpret and report on experimental results and assist with data presentation. They will report to a staff scientist and work closely with a technical team.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in related scientific field or equivalent combination of education and experience
• Demonstrated scientific knowledge in the area of study
• Demonstrated basic laboratory skills
• Candidates must include a cover letter as part of their application to be considered.

Nice To Haves

• Independent research experience separate from school lab experience
• Willing to work with biohazardous/infectious agents (e.g., bloodborne pathogens, including HIV-1), and willing to work in the mouse model.
• Flexible and willing to work some evenings and weekends.
• Specific experience with flow cytometry, immunology, and cellular assays are preferred.
• Specific experience working with mouse models preferred.
• Motivation, adaptability and ability to be a strong team player.
• Keen interest in the vaccine and infectious disease field.
• Great attention to details, well-organized, self-motivated, receptive to feedback, and able to efficiently manage time and experiments.
• Hold high intrinsic value for the importance of scientific research conducted with integrity, with respect for all the participants involved.
• This role is expected to involve increasing independence over time while remaining under close scientific supervision, consistent with a Research Technician I appointment.

Responsibilities

• Maintain a high level of accuracy for all work.
• Work well as a team-member, participate in positive communication, and foster an environment that allows all laboratory staff to work well together.
• Independently perform experimental assays.
• Maintain and manage the laboratory mouse colony (census, genotyping, breeding)
• Maintain accountability for performing tasks and communicating results to the rest of the team.
• Proactively prepare reagents for experiments and for general lab use.
• Troubleshoot and optimize experimental methods, results and analysis.
• Maintain accurate documentation for experiments and quality control for the laboratory.
• Be willing and capable of working both independently and as part of a team
• Perform data analysis.
• Other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center offers employees a comprehensive benefits package designed to enhance health, well-being, and financial security. Benefits include medical/vision, dental, flexible spending accounts, life, disability, retirement, family life support, employee assistance program, onsite health clinic, tuition reimbursement, paid vacation (12-22 days per year), paid sick leave (12-25 days per year), paid holidays (13 days per year), and paid parental leave (up to 4 weeks).

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level