Research Technician III

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 McGuire Laboratory, in the Vaccine and Infectious Disease Division at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center.

Our lab is recruiting a Research Technician III to support our efforts to develop vaccines against pathogens of public health importance such as EBV, KSHV, and RSV.

The technician will be expected undertake several roles in a highly collaborative environment. Responsibilities include carrying out immunizations in small animal models and evaluating vaccine responses to different vaccine antigens using ELISA and flow-cytometry based viral neutralization assays, as well as T cell assays including intercellular cytokine staining and ELISPOT. The role may require cell line development using lentiviral transduction, confirmation of transgene expression by immunofluorescence microscopy and in vivo imaging of transferred cells using IVIS. In addition, the role will require maintaining cell cultures and general lab upkeep.

The candidate will be responsible for performing and coordinating the assays with other lab members and analyzing the data. They will interpret and report on experimental results and assist with data presentation. They will assist in writing laboratory SOPs, reports, and other documentation. They will report to a Staff Scientist, the Principal investigator and work closely with a post-doctoral scientist.

Maintain a high level of accuracy for all work.
• Work well as team-member, participate in positive communication, and foster an environment that allows all laboratory staff to work well together.
• Maintain cell cultures and produce viral stocks for conducting neutralization experiments
• Conduct immunogenicity studies in mice and analyze immune responses
• Proactively prepare reagents for experiments and for general lab use.
• Carry out maintenance, trouble-shooting and QC of laboratory equipment.
• May lead or supervise other laboratory personnel and be responsible for the daily operation of the laboratory.
• Collaborate with primary investigator, and assist in designing experiments; examine proposals to determine projects and methodologies best suited to research objectives and the overall goals of the laboratory.
• Summarize and write for publication or presentation the results of research projects, often as co-author or author. Edit and write research reports.
• Conduct literature reviews to assist in determining most suitable methods to be used in research.
• Other duties as assigned.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor's degree in related scientific field or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• 5 years of experience working in a lab outside of school coursework (or equivalent combination of advanced degree and work experience).

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Specific experience working with mice.
  
• Experience with serological and cell-based immune assays.
• Experence with design and analysis of multicolor flow cytomerty panels.
• Motivation, adaptability and ability to be a strong team player are essential, as is a keen interest in vaccinology, immunology or biochemistry.
  
• Great attention to details, well-organized, self-motivated, and able to efficiently manage time and experiments.
  
• Willing to work with biohazardous/infectious agents (e.g., bloodborne pathogens).

The hourly pay range for this position is from $33.42 to $50.12 and pay offered will be based on experience and qualifications. This position may eligible for relocation assistance.

Although Fred Hutch is not sponsoring most H-1B visas at this time, candidates who already hold an H-1B sponsored by another organization and are currently in the U.S. may be eligible for this position.

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).