Details
Posted: 17-Jul-24
Location: Seattle, Washington
Type: Full-time
Salary: Open
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.
A highly collaborative laboratory-based research group in the Translational Science & Therapeutics Division is recruiting an outstanding Mouse Research Technician I/II to work as part of a team investigating new treatments for patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) primarily focused on improving existing, and developing novel, antibody-based immunotherapies, and rendering them safer for clinical application. A main focus of our current work is the optimization of therapies that include radiolabeled antibodies (radioimmunotherapies), primarily using the very potent alpha emitter astatine-211, to direct radiation to normal and neoplastic hematopoietic cells. Additional projects include preclinical drug development/testing (in part with academic and industry partners), studies on mechanisms of action and resistance of antibody-based therapeutics and identification of strategies to overcome these limitations, and development of approaches to protect normal tissues from the toxicities of AML-targeted therapies (e.g. via use of genome editing).
Responsibilities
The newly hired Mouse Research Technician I/II will work under the direction of the Principal Investigator and senior laboratory personnel involving the following techniques/duties:
- Performing various mouse procedures including tail vein injections, use of in vivo imaging systems, tissue harvest, IP/subQ/RO injections, RO bleeding, oral gavage, cardiac puncture.
- Label antibodies and antibody-derivatives with radioisotopes including Iodine-125, Iodine-131, Yttrium-90, Astatine-211 and Actinium-225.
- Conduct in vivo biodistribution and efficacy studies with novel radioimmunotherapeutics in immunodeficient mice.
- Maintenance of a mouse breeding colony.
- Maintenance of the laboratory's IACUC protocol including triannual reviews.
- Operate a variety of analytical instruments such as gamma counters, dose calibrators, flow cytometers, and spectrophotometers.
- Support of DNA design, cloning, expression and production of new therapeutics.
- Culture of mammalian cell lines and patient-derived primary human cells in vitro.
- Generation of engineered/gene-edited human leukemia cells.
- Flow cytometry-based immunophenotyping, FACS isolation of mammalian cells.
- Employ cellular and molecular biology techniques including ELISA's, DNA/RNA isolation, sequencing, PCR, RT-PCR, qPCR, single cell cloning.
- Antibody drug conjugate (ADC) cytotoxicity, T-cell and NK-cell cytotoxicity assays.
- Generation of recombinant antibodies and other protein therapeutics via transient and permanent expression systems, AktaPur and column-based affinity purification.
- Lentiviral vector modification, lentiviral particle preps and viral transduction.
- Protein gels, immunoprecipitation, western blotting, immunofluorescence microscopy.
- General laboratory duties and maintenance of laboratory equipment.
To be successful in this position the applicant must be organized, independent, open to learning, good at multitasking, and provide clear and concise communication. Comprehensive laboratory record keeping is mandatory, experience with statistical analysis and data presentation is desirable.
Qualifications
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS FOR A RESEARCH TECH I:
- Bachelor's degree in related scientific field or equivalent combination of education and experience.
- Demonstrated scientific knowledge in the area of study.
- Demonstrated basic laboratory skills.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS FOR A RESEARCH TECH II:
- 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:
- Must have scientific knowledge in the area of study and basic laboratory skills.
- Must be willing to handle radiation, be comfortable with mice in a research setting, and have a proven record of success with IV tail vein injections.
Applicants are highly encouraged to submit the following:
- Cover letter discussing your interest in this position.
- Curriculum Vitae.
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.
Research Technician I: The hourly pay range for this position is from $22.21 to $31.61 and pay offered will be based on experience and qualifications.
Research Technician II: The hourly pay range for this position is from $25.71 to $36.60 and pay offered will be based on experience and qualifications.
This position may be eligible for relocation assistance. 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), paid parental leave (up to 4 weeks), and partially paid sabbatical leave (up to 6 months).
Our Commitment to Diversity
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 Human Resources at hrops@fredhutch.org or by calling 206-667-4700.