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Job Description

The** **Department of Medicine: Hematology and Oncology** **has an outstanding opportunity for a** **Research Scientist Engineer 3** **to join their team.

Field of Research

Study of the molecular mechanisms underlying prostate cancer treatment resistance and the development of new cancer therapeutics that include immunotherapeutics.

Purpose of the research project

The Prostate Cancer Research Program has an outstanding opportunity for a full-time Research Scientist Engineer within the Institute for Prostate Cancer Research.

The emphasis for this position center on studies of resistance to current therapeutics deployed to treat advanced prostate cancer including treatments that exploit androgen receptor signaling, DNA repair deficiency and immune-based agents. This position will focus on delineating the molecular mechanisms driving treatment resistance that include cell intrinsic (e.g. mutation, tumor heterogeneity, cell plasticity, epigenetic) and microenvironment events, with opportunities for translational studies evaluating new clinical approaches that circumvent resistance mechanisms. The research has direct relevance to the treatment of cancer patients.

The Institute for Prostate Cancer Research (IPCR) is a collaborative effort between the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center (FHCC) and the UW Division and is designed to advance cutting edge research activities undertaken by the Prostate Cancer Research Program of the Fred Hutchinson/University of Washington Cancer Consortium. There are approximately 47 scientists and physician researchers in the Prostate Cancer Research Program, who collaborate to defeat prostate cancer. The Prostate Cancer Research Program works to understand what triggers prostate cancer and how it develops. Their research covers everything from inherited mutations that increase the risk of developing advanced prostate cancer to the link between aging and prostate cancer. The Prostate Cancer Research Program has established a research team comprised of interdisciplinary collaborators who have expertise in genomics, genetics, pathology, experimental therapeutics, cancer biology and clinical cancer research. Using this robust and collaborative research approach the team is focused on identifying genetic alterations in prostate tumors that can help oncologists tailor treatment for individual patients

The University of Washington's Division of Hematology & Oncology includes 130+ faculty members located at the UW Medical Center, the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, and the VA Puget Sound Health Care System. Over the past 40 years, members of the Division have made substantial contributions to many other areas of cancer treatment, including the use of tumor vaccines, cellular therapy for cancer, antibody-based treatments, and novel forms of chemotherapy and hormonal therapy. Our Division is deeply committed to maintaining its position as one of the leading centers for research and treatment of cancer in the world.

**Research Sponsors/Stakeholders:** Institute for Prostate Cancer Research (IPCR) – Philanthropic donor funds

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Wet Lab Experimentation - 80%

- Conducts 'wet-bench' experiments for the assessment and application of new molecular approaches for assessments of mechanisms driving cancer treatment resistance and the development of new therapeutics.

- Experiments: cloning of expression vectors; cell transfection; analyses of cell proliferation and survival; determination of gene expression by qRT-PCR, immunoblot, immunohistochemistry; determination of protein-protein interactions; performing therapeutic treatment studies on preclinical models; developing antibodies, conjugating antibodies to cytotoxic chemicals, performing CRISPR screens and drug screens using high-throughput assays.

Computational Data Analysis - 10%

- Uses computational approaches to analyze tumor complexity involving single cell and spatial profiling technologies

- Implements, maintains, and applies the best practices in large-scale data management

- Implements analysis tools/pipelines and interprets results for coding and non-coding genome alterations, chromosome copy number alterations, genome rearrangements, 3D structure, and mutational signatures

Collaboration and Communication - 10%

- Actively collaborates with UW and Fred Hutch scientists to refine research questions and identify opportunities for implementing novel methods to understand cancer treatment resistance and assessments of new therapeutics.

- Actively collaborates with faculty and other senior scientist in project development, design and management

- Leads and participates in the assembly of research presentations, manuscripts and grant proposals

- Actively participates in training/teaching undergraduate, graduate and postdoctoral scientists

- Actively promotes and contributes to the development of teamwork in the service of working relationships between the Nelson Laboratory, other UW and FHCC departments, and outside organizations

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

+ Bachelor's degree in Biology, Biochemistry, Genetics, Molecular Biology, Cell Biology, Immunology, or related field , and four years of relevant experience.

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

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

Experience/Skills in Translational Research that include:

• Animal models: Hands-on experience with cancer mouse models, including immune-competent, immune-deficient, and genetically engineered mouse models (GEMMs). Skills/experience with tumor resection surgery (subcutaneous), bioluminescent imaging (IVIS), and orthotopic tumor implantation.

• Molecular Biology and HTS: Multicolor flow cytometry (Cytek and BD), immunofluorescence staining, IHC, western blotting, ELISA, AlphaLISA, qPCR, high throughput drug screening workflow (Perkin Elmer Phenix)

• Single-cell and Spatial-omics: Experience with single-cell transcriptomics (10x), spatial transcriptomics (Xenium, 10x) and proteomics (Phenocycler, Akoya).

• Clinical patient-derived models: Generating and characterizing PDXs (Patient-Derived Xenografts), PDOs (Patient-Derived Organoids) and PDCLs (Patient-Derived Cell lines) models from patient tumors.

• Immunological Assays: T-cell function/ proliferation. Co-culture (Immune-Cancer, Lymphoid-Myeloid, Immune cell killing etc.).

• Functional techniques: Genetic (shRNA, siRNA, CRISPR, Overexpression) perturbations for LOF or GOF studies, and pharmaceutical approaches (antibodies, small molecules, clinical grade therapeutics) to further investigate phenotypes and discover novel therapeutics.

• Computational biology: working experience with R to analyze bulk and single-cell RNA sequencing data. Utilization of multi-omic datasets to develop translational hypotheses and validate findings in clinically relevant models.

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS

+ A PhD in biology; biochemistry; genetics; molecular biology; cell biology; immunology or related field and experience in one of the following areas : medicine/urology/oncology, genomics/genetics, analysis of inflammation/immune composition, pharmacology, biomarker characterization. An M.D. degree is also acceptable.

+ Expertise/skills in molecular biology techniques is desired: RT-PCR, CRISPR or shRNA gene knock-down strategies, immunohistochemistry, ELISA, cell culture, drug toxicity assays.

+ Candidates need to be highly-motivated, organized individuals who think independently but enjoy working as part of a dynamic, collaborative, and multidisciplinary team. Excellent verbal and written communication skills are essential.

Working Environmental Conditions:

• The ability to multi-task and be flexible while maintaining a professional demeanor is crucial as priorities change throughout each day. May have to respond to multiple requests for information (e-mail, voicemail, fax, verbal), determining priorities.

• Work hours frequently exceed 40 hours per week and may be deadline dependent. There may be deadlines over which an individual has no control that require a flexible schedule in order to accommodate research program needs, grant deadlines, and faculty needs. Occasional evening and weekend work (e.g. to meet deadlines; potential travel to study meetings) may be required.

• This position is located in a clinical and research environment on the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center campus. Frequently sitting at a desk and on a computer for majority of hours worked.

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Compensation, Benefits and Position Details

Pay Range Minimum:

$80,400.00 annual

Pay Range Maximum:

$108,000.00 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.