Research Technician II

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 McElrath laboratory and HIV Vaccine Trials Network (HVTN). Our lab is recruiting a Research Technician II to primarily perform assays to characterize antiviral T and B-cell responses. The technicians 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 project manager 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.
• Evaluate and characterize T and B cell immune responses to candidate vaccines using primarily high parameter flow cytometry (intracellular cytokine staining, cellular phenotyping) as well as other techniques such as IFNg ELISpot, viral inhibition, CFSE proliferation assays, multiplex cytokine detection (MSD platform), and cell sorting.
• Directly execute experimental plans and conduct analyses, which may include (but not limited to): creation of an experiment plan, preparation of reagents for experiments, completion of laboratory assays, and analysis of data
• Carry out maintenance, trouble-shooting, and QC of laboratory equipment.
• Troubleshoot and optimize experimental methods, results and analysis.
• Work collaboratively with other team members, participate in positive communication, and foster an environment that allows all staff to work well together
• Maintain accurate documentation for experiments and quality control for the laboratory.
• Review the literature to stay informed on the HIV vaccine field or immunological assays, prepare presentations, and contribute to scientific writing.
• Execute projects with minimal oversight
• Other duties as assigned.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor's degree in related scientific field or equivalent combination of education and experience
• 2 years of experience working in a lab outside of school coursework

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Willing to work with biohazardous/infectious agents (e.g., bloodborne pathogens, including HIV-1)
  
• Flexible and willing to work some evenings and weekends.
  
• Specific experience with flow cytometry, immunology, and cellular assays are preferred.
  
• Motivation, adaptability and ability to be a strong team player are essential, as is a keen interest in the HIV vaccine field.
  
• 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

The hourly pay range for this position is from $27.01 to $38.45 and pay offered will be based on experience and qualifications.

This position is not eligible for H-1B sponsorship at this time.

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).