RESEARCH SCIENTIST ENGINEER ASSISTANT -NPC
Req #: | 173085 |
Department: | BIOCHEMISTRY - INSTITUTE FOR PROTEIN DESIGN |
Posting Date: | 10/11/2019 |
Closing Info: | Open Until Filled |
Salary: | Salary is commensurate with education and experience |
Shift: | First Shift |
Notes: | As a UW employee, you will enjoy generous benefits and work/life programs. For detailed information on Benefits for this position, click here. |
UW faculty and staff also enjoy outstanding benefits, professional growth opportunities and unique resources in an environment noted for diversity, intellectual excitement, artistic pursuits and natural beauty. All of which has allowed the UW to be nationally recognized as a “Great College to Work For” for four consecutive years.
The Department of Biochemistry at the University of Washington has contributed to many phases of research. Initially recognized for incisive studies of the structure and function of proteins, and the mechanisms of enzyme action, the department branched out into a multitude of other areas. These included: developmental biology of flies, fish, frogs, and mice; molecular mechanisms of aging in yeast and mammals; vertebrate visual and immune responses; chromosome dynamics, cell division, DNA replication and repair; energy transduction during photosynthesis; protein secretion and membrane fusion; translational control and regulated protein degradation; protein structure determination by crystallography and NMR spectroscopy; and protein structure prediction and enzyme design. Our diversity of interests guarantees a rich intellectual and educational environment.
About the Institute for Protein Design:
The Institute for Protein Design (IPD) at the University of Washington in Seattle is creating a new world of synthetic proteins to address 21st-century challenges in medicine, energy, and technology. The IPD is a unique interdisciplinary environment where world-class researchers with expertise in computing and software, biochemistry, genome sciences, biological structure, pharmacology, immunology and other basic science disciplines, as well as clinical medicine, work together to both computationally design and experimentally characterize novel biomolecules. Current projects include the design of novel therapeutics for cancer, neurological diseases, and more, as well as new vaccines, nanomaterials, and enzymes.
The specific field of research for this Research Scientist Assistant - NPC is in protein production and biophysical characterization using bacterial expression systems, chromatography techniques (mainly immobilized metal affinity and size exclusion chromatography), SDS-PAGE, dynamic light scattering, electron microscopy and UV-Vis spectrophotometry
The UW Institute for Protein Design currently has an outstanding opportunity for a Research Scientist Assistant – NPC to serve as part of the Nanoparticle Production Core at the Institute for Protein Design (IPD). The Research Scientist Assistant - NPC will be assigned work under close guidance and receive explicit instruction on specific assignment objectives, complex features, and possible solutions. Guidance on unusual problems will be provided to the Research Scientist Assistant - NPC by IPD Faculty, other UW Faculty, or other experts in protein production and biophysical characterization and work shall be reviewed for application of sound professional judgment.
Job Description:
The Research Scientist Assistant - NPC will support the Nanoparticle Production Core. The research activities will involve the execution and analysis of standard protein expression, purification and biophysical characterization methods and data, with eventual independent operation thereof. The RSA NPC will also assist in the optimization of methods listed above for novel designed proteins.
In this role, ~40% of the effort will be dedicated to the maintenance of protein nanoparticle component stocks for use by IPD Faculty laboratories and by the Nanoparticle Production Core.
Another ~20% of effort will be dedicated to assembly and quality control of the protein nanoparticles.
The remaining ~40% of effort will, eventually, be dedicated to the production and quality control of functionalized nanoparticles, such as those for vaccine and drug delivery development, once expertise is gained.
Minimum Requirements:
Desired:
An ideal Research Scientist Assistant - NPC candidate will be someone who (i) has had experience in a laboratory setting during the undergraduate degree obtention, (ii) will use their knowledge gained in their undergraduate degree program to apply fundamental concepts, practices and procedures, (iii) follows procedures for small projects and/or major project tasks which may last years under immediate supervision, and effectively manages them under guidance and direction from project staff; interfaces with investigator peers, (iv) can provide timely and professional scientific services to a number of internal collaborators on approximately 2-3 different projects, (v) can perform tasks and methods as directed, (vi) and enjoys interacting with other scientists in a highly collaborative and fast-paced work environment.
Application Process:
The application process for UW positions may include completion of a variety of online assessments to obtain additional information that will be used in the evaluation process. These assessments may include Work Authorization, Cover Letter and/or others. Any assessments that you need to complete will appear on your screen as soon as you select “Apply to this position”. Once you begin an assessment, it must be completed at that time; if you do not complete the assessment you will be prompted to do so the next time you access your “My Jobs” page. If you select to take it later, it will appear on your "My Jobs" page to take when you are ready. Please note that your application will not be reviewed, and you will not be considered for this position until all required assessments have been completed.
Committed to attracting and retaining a diverse staff, the University of Washington will honor your experiences, perspectives and unique identity. Together, our community strives to create and maintain working and learning environments that are inclusive, equitable and welcoming.
The University of Washington is a leader in environmental stewardship & sustainability, and committed to becoming climate neutral.
The University of Washington is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer. To request disability accommodation in the application process, contact the Disability Services Office at 206-543-6450 / 206-543-6452 (tty) or dso@uw.edu.