Overview

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. These values are grounded in and expressed through the principles of diversity, equity and inclusion. 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. Fred Hutch is in pursuit of becoming an anti-racist organization. We are committed to ensuring that all candidates hired share our commitment to diversity, anti-racism and inclusion.

The Lapointe Lab is growing, and we are hiring a Postdoctoral Scientist. This position is ideal for a recent (or soon to be) Ph.D. graduate that is excited about RNA, translation, and/or viruses. When you join our group, we prioritize your continued development into an independent scientist. We will work together to help you identify and achieve your goals and develop a plan to tackle an important question. We also will enhance your ability to think critically and communicate effectively, skills transferrable to any career path. In these exciting, early years of the group, we are looking for people who are up to the challenge to help build our research group from the ground up.

The Lapointe lab is driven by questions that underly how human messenger RNAs (mRNAs) and the ribosome are regulated to determine when, where, and how much of a protein to synthesize. Dysregulated protein synthesis is a near-universal feature of cancer and a hallmark of viral infections. Yet, molecular mechanisms for how translation is controlled remain poorly defined. We therefore examine the interplay between the mRNA, the translation initiation machinery, and the vast repertoire of human and viral proteins that define the efficiency of protein synthesis in space and time. To overcome long-standing challenges, we integrate single-molecule spectroscopy and structural approaches using purified components with high-throughput functional assays in vitro and in cells. Our goal is to define foundational molecular models that lay the groundwork to develop new therapeutics.

Expectations

• Self-motivated and excited about RNA, translation, and/or viruses.
• Willing to apply for postdoctoral fellowships and/or career development awards.
• Present ongoing research at conferences.
• Publish your research in peer-reviewed, first-author papers.
• Excited to learn and contribute to the growth mindset philosophy of our group.
• Excited to work collaboratively both within the group and with external research groups.
• Be rigorous, transparent, and ethical in your research.
• Be respectful to all members of the lab and broader Hutch community.
• Provide weekly written updates to the PI prior to each weekly meeting.
• Plan to be a member of the group for at least 2-3 years

Responsibilities

• Help establish a research program focused on how viral and/or human proteins disrupt translation initiation using biochemical, single-molecule, structural biology, and/or biophysical approaches.
• Independently lead research projects that contribute to the overall goals of the group and result in first-author publications.
• Secondary responsibilities include mentoring graduate students and research technicians, and contributing positively to the lab community and intellectual environment.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications:

• A Ph.D. degree in biochemistry, biophysics, biology, or a related discipline.
• At least one published first-author paper in a peer-reviewed journal.
• A strong foundation in hypothesis-driven, basic research.
• Experience with biochemical, structural, biophysical, high-throughput, or cell biology approaches.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• A meticulous attention to detail and record keeping.
• Independently motivated to think, plan, conduct, and analyze experiments.

How to apply

Please include a CV (with publications and contact information for 3 references listed) and a one page cover letter that includes:

• A summary of your past research experiences and accomplishments.
• Potential research questions you are excited about in the Lapointe group and why you could be a great fit.
• Your goals for your postdoctoral training period.
• Your current long-term career goals and ideal time frame for the next steps.
• Your potential start date.

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.

The annual base salary range for this position is from $65,484 to $100,000 and pay offered will be based on experience and qualifications.

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, income-based child care subsidy, tuition reimbursement, paid vacation (22 days per year), paid sick leave (up to 30 calendar days per occurrence of a qualifying reason), paid holidays (13 days per year), and paid parental leave (up to 4 weeks).

Our Commitment to Diversity