Work in Washington Veterans Jobs

Req #: 236444

Department: MICROBIOLOGY

Posting Date: 07/25/2024

Closing Info: Open Until Filled

Salary: $3,887 - $4,081 per month

Shift: First Shift

Notes: As a UW employee, you will enjoy generous benefits and work/life programs. For a complete description of our benefits for this position, please visit our website, click here. (https://hr.uw.edu/benefits/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2018/02/benefits-professional-staff-librarians-academic-staff-20230701_a11y.pdf )

As a UW employee, you have a unique opportunity to change lives on our campuses, in our state and around the world. UW employees offer their boundless energy, creative problem-solving skills, and dedication to build stronger minds and a healthier world.

UW faculty and staff also enjoy outstanding benefits, professional growth opportunities and unique resources in an environment noted for diversity, intellectual excitement, artistic pursuits, and natural beauty.

The Department of Microbiology has an outstanding opportunity for a Research Scientist/Engineer to join their team. OVERVIEW

The research that this position is engaged in is supporting research studies in non-human primate models of viral infection, fungal infection, and cancer for the lab of Dr. Deborah Fuller (60%) and the Virology and Immunology Core at the WaNPRC (40%). Projects include, but are not limited to, investigating viral loads and immune cell frequencies in infectious disease studies (including HIV, Influenza, ZIKV, Malaria, HBV, SARS-CoV-2, and coccidioidomycosis) and determining the impact of CAR-T therapy on immune cell frequencies in cancer studies. Reporting to the Principal Investigator of the lab, the Research Scientist 1 will perform support of the various infectious disease and cancer studies in nonhuman primates (NHP) with an emphasis in CAR-T therapy, infectious disease vaccine and pathogenesis research projects in nonhuman primates. This position will support Fuller lab NHP-focused projects and collaborations, as well support fee-for-service work through the Fuller lab’s Virology and Immunology Core at the Washington National Primate Research.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES Primary Bench Research (55%): • Processing of primate blood and tissue samples to cell suspensions for cryopreservation and assays. • Perform clinical-level assays on primate blood samples, primarily whole blood processing and staining to quantify T-cell subsets (CD2, CD3, CD4, CD8, CD20, & CCR5 stains) and prepare for data acquisition using traditional flow cytometry equipment. • Managing a -80 and liquid nitrogen tissue repository including inventory, organization. • Shipping category B samples to collaborators. • Management of research reagent and supplies including stocking of BSL2+ retrovirus labs. • Maintain electronic laboratory notebook, regularly report experimental results to manager. • Present results in lab meetings. • Perform biosafety 2+ practices.

Additional Laboratory Responsibilities and Tasks (40%): • Viral Load assays quantifying viral copies in blood samples, position may be trained for the parts of or the entire assay workthrough which will require RNA extraction from plasma samples, cDNA synthesis / set up of RT-qPCR using Quantstudio-3 machine (96-well format), data acqusition, QC, data analysis, and reporting analyzed data to supervisor. • Tissue culture techniques; preparation of necropsied tissues; tissue processing including isolation of lymphocytes from lymph nodes, jejunum, vagina, rectum, blood, colon, & bronchio-alvelolar lavage using Percoll, Ficoll, and other lymphocyte separation techniques; cryopreservation of cells; support for immunophenotyping & intracellular cytokine staining assays, ELISA; flow cytometric analysis of cell mediated immune responses.

Functions as a backup to the senior research staff, receive/store shipments from collaborators/vendors; monitor supply inventory and alert purchasing team when low; coordinate broadly with team members to prepare equipment/supplies in support of tissue processing/assays. (5%)

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS Bachelors degree in Biological Sciences and 1 year of lab work at the biological research lab, OR Equivalent combination of education/experience.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS • General aseptic technique and use of BSC experience required. • Operation of flow cytometry machines (ex. BD Symphony, BD LSR II, BD FacsCalibur, BD FACS Canto II, Cytek Aurora, etc) • Design of complex (>15-color) flow cytometry panels. • Blood or tissue sample processing required. • Experience with specimen preparation from human/mice/non-human primates infected with Coccidioides spp. • Experience utilizing high-throughput sample handling methods (multi-channel micropipettes, repeater pipettes, serological pipettes, 96-well assay plates, high-throughput sampling apparatus for data acquisition, etc). • Prior experience with analysis of CD4+ and CD8+ T cell responses in nohuman primate specimens; Experience with data analysis software including Prism. • Excellent communication with team members required. • Prior experience with organizing and restocking laboratories. • Routinely checking research reagent and supply stocks to determine inventory level, anticipating needed supplies. • Routine inspection & maintenance of laboratory equipment. • Assisting with organization and maintenance of lab space including organizing newly purchased laboratory supplies. • Setting up & cleaning up after experiments. • Autoclaving, aliquoting of reagents. • Demonstrated ability to work as part of a team. • Excellent working knowledge with data analysis, inventory and presentation software including MS Excel, Powerpoint, demonstrated ability to work as part of a team.

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS • Experience and knowledge in BSL2-3 practices; Experience with cryopreservation of nonhuman primates specimens; • Experience with freezer cataloguing and organization (-80 and liquid nitrogen);; Experience with RNA-based procedures and assays a plus. Examples: RNA extraction from primary samples, RT-qPCR, cDNA synthesis for RT-qPCR, standard curve preparation for RT-qPCR • Ability to make independent judgments that will promote efficiency and add value to research; strong organizational skills including ability to work efficiently with competing priorities and deadlines

Application Process: The application process may include completion of a variety of online assessments to obtain additional information that will be used in the evaluation process. These assessments may include Work Authorization, Cover Letter and/or others. Any assessments that you need to complete will appear on your screen as soon as you select “Apply to this position”. Once you begin an assessment, it must be completed at that time; if you do not complete the assessment, you will be prompted to do so the next time you access your “My Jobs” page. If you select to take it later, it will appear on your "My Jobs" page to take when you are access ready. Please note that your application will not be reviewed, and you will not be considered for this position until all required assessments have been completed.

University of Washington is an affirmative action and equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to, among other things, race, religion, color, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, sex, age, protected veteran or disabled status, or genetic information.