Research Technician

Position: Research Technician I
Overview

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 position will support projects studying the immune response to HIV, including defining how immune cells impact HIV infection. Aims of the studies include defining the host surface proteins that restrict or enhance NK-cell mediated killing of HIV-infected cells and their mechanism as well as the role NK cells play in HIV recognition.

The position will require extensive primary cell tissue culture work, including HIV infection studies, flow cytometry, CRISPR editing, deep sequencing and functional assays. Lab tasks include standard molecular methods, including PCR, sequencing, cloning, nucleic acid isolation, gel electrophoresis and similar techniques. Data and samples must be well-organized and precisely tracked.

Under the direction and close supervision of the Senior Postdoctoral Research and with secondary supervision by the Principal Investigator, the applicant will gain practical experience in the following areas:

* Coordinating and performing experiments for a research laboratory that focuses on virology and immune responses to viral infections

* Performing molecular biology and tissue culture techniques, including methods in CRISPR editing and deep sequencing.

Inclusion of a cover letter explaining your interest in this position is preferred for consideration.

Responsibilities

* Support studies to define host surface proteins important in HIV-infected cell clearance.

* Perform CRISPR editing studies.

* Support work to define the role of NK cells in HIV infection.

* Perform infection experiments with HIV and maintain cells in tissue culture.

* Perform molecular biology techniques such as PCR, sequencing and cloning.

* Maintain excellent laboratory records and verify the accuracy of the data.

* Data analysis.

* Present experimental results in both oral and written reports.

* Perform other related duties as assigned.

Qualifications

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

* 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.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

* Previous laboratory experience (execution and optimization).

* Previous experience with primary cell tissue culture, flow cytometry, ideally viral infection studies.

* Scientific knowledge of HIV virology and immunology.

* Experience handling BSL2 pathogens.

* Experience with analysis.

* Experience with basic laboratory skills, including molecular techniques.

* Experience with lab management (inventory, ordering, equipment maintenance, etc.).

* Willingness to work with HIV and biohazardous/infectious agents (BSL2+).

* Highly detail oriented and self-motivated.

* Possess exquisite organizational skills, laboratory precision, reliability, communication skills and work initiative required to operate with minimal daily supervision.

The…