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Job Description

As a UW employee, you have a unique opportunity to change lives on our campuses, in our state and around the world. UW employees offer their boundless energy, creative problem-solving skills, and dedication to build stronger minds and a healthier world.

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.

The Department of Dermatology has an opening for a Research Scientist/Engineer 2 in the lab of Dr. Cory Simpson at the South Lake Union campus.

The candidate will have a unique opportunity to work closely with Dr. Simpson, a physician-scientist and a committed mentor. The Simpson Lab studies the epidermis, the outermost protective layer of the skin. We grow human keratinocytes in 3D organoid cultures that we analyze using confocal microscopy. As well, we employ CRISPR to model genetic skin diseases. Under the direction of the PI, the candidate will generate data and provide logistical support toward our long-term goal of finding novel therapies for rare skin disorders. This position includes both wet lab duties and organizational responsibilities.

We are seeking a Research Scientist who will provide a consistent commitment to advance multiple projects in the lab through (1) independently completing recurring wet lab tasks essential to our research operations, (2) designing, executing, and recording results of high-quality experiments under the guidance of the PI and (3) overseeing and organizing lab reagent inventory, regulatory compliance, equipment maintenance, and established protocols to ensure our ability to generate reproducible, reliable, and compelling data. While our lab aims to advance cutting-edge science, we are also committed to advancing the career goals of the people who fuel our science by providing a supportive and inclusive teamwork environment, earned opportunities for co-authorship and conference presentations, and mentorship for all lab members.

**Research Sponsors/Stakeholders:** NIH, LEO Foundation, UW Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine (ISCRM)

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Wet Lab Experimentation (50%)

+ Keep a complete, legible, and up-to-date laboratory record of all experiments and results

+ Perform bacterial culturing, plasmid cloning, and plasmid DNA preps including of viral vectors

+ Use sterile technique for culture and drug treatment of primary cells, immortalized cells, and induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSC)

+ Perform transfection of cell cultures for transgene expression or RNAi-based gene silencing

+ Produce and utilize non-pathogenic retroviral stocks for transduction of human cell cultures

+ Collect RNA and protein lysates from cell cultures and analyze by qPCR and Western blotting

+ Fix cells/tissues and perform immunostaining using multiple fluorescent antibodies

+ Design microscopy experiments and prepare cell cultures for live confocal imaging

+ Learn from PI to independently generate organoid skin cultures and submit for histology

+ Learn to obtain wide-field and confocal fluorescence microscopy images suitable for analysis

+ Analyze and prepare data in graphs and figures for lab meetings, grants, formal presentations, or publications

+ Transfer new methodologies from published research studies into the laboratory

Lab Organization (25%)

+ Monitor, order, and organize lab supplies to maintain adequate inventory

+ Keep complete, accurate, and detailed records of all purchases and provide to the PI

+ Safely utilize and monitor lab equipment and arrange necessary maintenance or repairs

+ Establish collaborations for use of shared resources and equipment as appropriate

+ Ensure timely replenishment of common lab chemicals, solutions, and other supplies

+ Oversee biosafety lab inspection, biological use authorization, chemical/biological inventory, and IRB/IACUC protocols

+ Attend lab meetings, weekly one-on-one meetings, Journal Club, seminars, and other group meetings related to our research

Training (25%)

+ Teach junior lab members basic lab techniques including cell culture, immunofluorescence, immunoblotting, and microscopy

+ Maintain up to date training logs for lab members including required trainings for biohazards and chemicals

+ Help junior lab members troubleshoot experiments as needed

+ Develop and update standardized protocols for experiments to be used by lab members

+ Create a healthy, safe, violence-free environment by reporting any concerns or conflicts to the PI

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

+ Bachelor’s degree in Biology, Biochemistry, Genetics, Microbiology, or related Life Sciences plus a minimum of 2 years of experience working in a wet laboratory setting

_Equivalent education/experience will substitute for all minimum qualifications except when there are legal requirements, such as a license/certification/registration._

A** **D** **DITIONAL REQUIREMENTS

+ Must be familiar with common lab equipment, protocols, and safety including Biosafety Level 2

+ Must have prior experience with molecular biology techniques necessary for plasmid cloning

+ Must have prior experience with sterile cell culture, Western blotting, immunofluorescence staining, immunohistochemistry, and fluorescence microscopy

+ Must have experience with Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint

+ Must have excellent organizational skills to track lab orders and expenses, develop and update lab protocols and compliance documents, collect and analyze data, construct graphs and figures

+ Must be able to work on-site in the lab Monday through Friday during standard business hours

+ Must demonstrate attention to detail and timely completion of lab record-keeping

+ Must be able to work independently and as part of a collaborative team

+ Must maintain open dialogue with lab members including timely e-mail reply during work hours

+ Must commit to promote a safe, friendly, cooperative, and inclusive work environment

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS

+ Previous experience designing and leading a research project

+ Prior supervision and training of new lab members including students

+ Knowledge of UW ordering system and UW lab compliance requirements and protocols

+ Knowledge of the manuscript process and grant application process

+ Strong written and oral communication skills

Compensation, Benefits and Position Details

Pay Range Minimum:

$68,736.00 annual

Pay Range Maximum:

$72,504.00 annual

Other Compensation:

-

Benefits:

For information about benefits for this position, visit https://www.washington.edu/jobs/benefits-for-uw-staff/

Shift:

First Shift (United States of America)

Temporary or Regular?

This is a regular position

FTE (Full-Time Equivalent):

100.00%

Union/Bargaining Unit:

UAW Research

About the UW

Working at the University of Washington provides a unique opportunity to change lives – on our campuses, in our state and around the world.

UW employees bring their boundless energy, creative problem-solving skills and dedication to building stronger minds and a healthier world. In return, they enjoy outstanding benefits, opportunities for professional growth and the chance to work in an environment known for its diversity, intellectual excitement, artistic pursuits and natural beauty.

Our Commitment

The University of Washington is committed to fostering an inclusive, respectful and welcoming community for all. As an equal opportunity employer, the University considers applicants for employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, citizenship, sex, pregnancy, age, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic information, disability, or veteran status consistent with UW Executive Order No. 81 (https://policy.uw.edu/directory/po/executive-orders/eo-81-prohibiting-discrimination-harassment-and-sexual-misconduct/) .

To request disability accommodation in the application process, contact the Disability Services Office at 206-543-6450 or [email protected] .

Applicants considered for this position will be required to disclose if they are the subject of any substantiated findings or current investigations related to sexual misconduct at their current employment and past employment. Disclosure is required under Washington state law (https://app.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=28B.112.080) .

University of Washington is an affirmative action and equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to, among other things, race, religion, color, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, sex, age, protected veteran or disabled status, or genetic information.