The Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology serves as a regional resource for clinical laboratory services required for patient care, research and educational programs in laboratory medicine. The department currently employs 900 people who work at the award-winning University of Washington Medical Center (ranked among the top medical centers in the United States as rated by U.S. News & World Report), Harborview Medical Center (the region's only Level I Trauma center, known for innovations and excellence in trauma care and its centers of emphasis: Trauma, Burn, Neurosciences, AIDS/STD CARER, and mentally- and medically- vulnerable populations.), and many other clinical and research facilities in the area. The University of Washington (UW) is proud to be one of the nation’s premier educational and research institutions. Our people are the most important asset in our pursuit of achieving excellence in education, research, and community service. Our staff not only enjoy outstanding benefits and professional growth opportunities, but also an environment noted for diversity, community involvement, intellectual excitement and natural beauty.
UW Medicine has an outstanding opportunity for a Research Scientist/Engineer 3. The employee will serve as a Research Scientist 3 in the Murphy Lab at the UW South Lake Union campus. Responsibilities include conducting semi-independent research projects that align with the Murphy Lab’s interest in malaria vaccines, malaria immunology, and malaria parasite biology. In collaboration with the PI, this employee will provide some scientific leadership on malaria biology and/or immunology within the laboratory team. The employee will perform vaccination and challenge studies in malaria, perform detailed immunological assessments using flow cytometry and other cutting-edge immunology techniques, will perform in vitro studies, in vivo animal studies, microscopy, and in vivo quantitative imaging. The employee will be expected to attend, participate in and present at lab meetings. The employee will be asked to contribute to paper and grant writing and reviewing. Occasionally, the employee will be asked to work on the weekends in support of certain experiments.
Primary Job Functions:
Lead our Vaccine Immunology program including leadership of flow cytometry analysis aspects of the lab; This individual will serve as resource for other lab members for flow cytometry quality assurance and method development; design experimental approaches for identifying the underlying mechanisms of protection in malaria.
Responsible for malaria vaccination/challenge experiments in animal models (mice and/or non-human primates), including administration of vaccines and other agents, dissection of malaria sporozoites from mosquitoes, handling and administration of vaccines and related products, extensive tissue sampling and processing, and monitoring of infections by multiple methods including blood smear, RT-PCR, and bioluminescence imaging.
Responsible for detailed immunological studies of malaria vaccine/challenge experiments in animal models by ELISPOT, flow cytometry, and other immunological techniques.
Responsible for detailed analysis of immunological data, including robust quantification of immunological phenomena and correlation of observed responses with vaccine efficacy.
Contribute to or be responsible for the design of experiments addressing complex immunological questions.
Assist in developing novel assays and implementing cutting-edge immunological techniques, modifying and refining procedures and techniques with supervision to obtain optimal results.
Assist in development of genetically modified malaria parasite strains as needed.
Perform T cell immunology assays and malaria in vitro and in vivo studies as needed.
Some responsibilities for assisting with the animal colony, which may include setting up mouse breeding pairs, weaning animals, performing animal genotyping and phenotyping.
Perform in vitro culture of cell lines and primary mouse and human cells as needed.
Perform additional in vitro and animal studies.
Perform in vitro malaria parasite culturing.
Perform laboratory bacterial cloning projects.
Assist with ordering reagents and consumables.
Perform related duties as required.
Attend and participate in lab meetings.
The employee will be asked to actively contribute to paper and grant writing and reviewing.
The employee will sometimes be asked to work on evenings and/or weekends in support of certain experiments.
Requirements: Master’s Degree in Cell biology, Microbiology, Immunology or related field, AND three to five year's experience in a related area or equivalent combination of education/experience.
Equivalent education/experience will substitute for all minimum qualifications except when there are legal requirements, such as a license/certification/registration.
Experience culturing human malaria parasites in vitro.
Experience with molecular cloning (PCR, bacterial transformation, digests, sequencing).
Desired:
Experience in laboratory specimen processing.
Significant experience in malaria biology and/or immunology.
Significant experience using ELISPOT plate readers, PCR instruments and flow cytometers.
Ability to accurately and strictly follow detailed written laboratory protocols.
Ability to assist in recognizing and troubleshooting instrumentation and method problems.
Understand QC parameters, including mathematical concepts of mean, standard deviation, and coefficient of variation.
Ability to use Excel and Word for data entry and data analyses.
Ability to follow strict database management protocols.
Proven ability to lead a small number of research scientists for specific projects.
Ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing.
This position provides opportunities to work in a fast-paced, challenging, diverse and rewarding environment. As an employee you will enjoy generous benefits and work/life programs. For detailed information on Benefits for this position, click here.
Founded in 1861, the University of Washington is one of the oldest public institutions in the west coast and one of the preeminent research universities in the world. The University of Washington is a multi-campus university comprised of three different campuses: Seattle, Tacoma, and Bothell. The Seattle campus is made up of sixteen schools and colleges that serve students ranging from an undergraduate level to a doctoral level. The university is home to world-class libraries, arts, music, drama, and sports, as well as the highest quality medical care in Washington State and a world-class academic medical center. The teaching and research of the University’s many professional schools provide undergraduate and graduate students the education necessary toward achieving an excellence that will serve the state, the region, and the nation. As part of a large and diverse community, the University of Washington serves more students than any other institution in the Northwest.
