Research Technician II-III - McElrath Laboratory

Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center is an independent, nonprofit, unified adult cancer care and research center that is clinically integrated with UW Medicine, a world leader in clinical care, research and learning. The first National Cancer Institute-designated cancer center in the Pacific Northwest, Fred Hutch’s global leadership in bone marrow transplantation, HIV/AIDS prevention, immunotherapy, and COVID-19 vaccines has confirmed our reputation as one of the world’s leading cancer, infectious disease and biomedical research centers. Based in Seattle, 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 believe that the innovation, collaboration, and rigor that result from diversity and inclusion are critical to our mission of eliminating cancer and related diseases. We seek employees who bring different and innovative ways of seeing the world and solving problems. Fred Hutch is in pursuit of becoming an antiracist organization. We are committed to ensuring that all candidates hired share our commitment to diversity, antiracism, and inclusion.   

 

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This research opportunity is with the McElrath laboratory, HIV Vaccine Trials Network (HVTN) and Coronavirus Prevention Network (CoVPN).  Our lab is recruiting a Research Technician to primarily perform assays to characterize antiviral T and B-cell responses. The technician will be expected to perform complex research assays, utilizing flow cytometry to evaluate vaccine-induced cellular immune responses in vaccine recipients participating in clinical trials of investigational vaccines for SARS-CoV-2/COVID-19, HIV, malaria, tuberculosis (MTB), and Ebola. They will be responsible for performing and coordinating the assays with other technicians 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 and work closely with a technical team.

 

The HVTN’s mission is to facilitate the process of testing preventive vaccines against HIV/AIDS or other infectious diseases. The organization conducts all phases of clinical trials from evaluating experimental vaccines for safety and the ability to stimulate immune responses through to testing vaccine efficacy. The HVTN laboratory is responsible for conducting laboratory-based studies to evaluate the immunogenicity of investigational vaccines.

• 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.
• Independently perform flow cytometry, FACS sorting, and other experimental assays, such as MSD, ELISpot and ELISAs.
• Perform flow cytometry (intracellular cytokine staining and FACS sorting), ELISPOT and MSD/Luminex/ELISAs for characterization and monitoring of T and B cell responses.
• 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.
• Carry out maintenance, trouble-shooting and QC of laboratory equipment.
• Review the literature to stay informed on the HIV vaccine field or immunological assays.
• May perform data analysis, interpretation, and statistical analyses.
• Other duties as assigned.

• 2 or more years of experience in a laboratory role.
• Specific experience with flow cytometry, immunology, cellular assays, and tissue culture are preferred. 
• Motivation, adaptability and ability to be a strong team player are essential, as is a keen interest in the HIV vaccine field.  
• The candidate must be someone with great attention to details, well-organized, self-motivated, and able to efficiently manage time and experiments. 
• Experience in a GLP or GCLP setting or clinical experience, with strong documentation skills is also desirable. 
• Applicants must be willing to work with biohazardous/infectious agents (e.g., blood-borne pathogens, including HIV-1) and also be flexible and willing to work some evenings and weekends. 

Fred Hutch has a mandatory COVID-19 vaccine requirement, with exceptions only for approved medical or religious accommodations.
As a condition of employment, newly hired employees must provide proof of vaccination or initiate the accommodations process before their first day of employment.

 

A statement describing your commitment and contributions toward greater diversity, equity, inclusion, and antiracism in your career or that will be made through your work at Fred Hutch is requested of all finalists.

We are proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) and Vietnam Era Veterans Readjustment Assistance Act (VEVRAA) Employer. We are committed to cultivating a workplace in which diverse perspectives and experiences are welcomed and respected. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, ancestry, national origin, sex, age, disability (physical or mental), marital or veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity, political ideology, or membership in any other legally protected class. We are an Affirmative Action employer. We encourage individuals with diverse backgrounds to apply and desire priority referrals of protected veterans. If due to a disability you need assistance/and or a reasonable accommodation during the application or recruiting process, please send a request to our Employee Services Center at hrops@fredhutch.org or by calling 206-667-4700.