RESEARCH SCIENTIST/ ENGINEER 4 - University of Washington

Req #: 225471 Department: DEPARTMENT OF LABORATORY MEDICINE AND PATHOLOGY Posting Date: 08/26/2024 Closing Info: Open Until Filled Salary: $6726 - $13694 per month Shift: First Shift Notes: As a UW employee, you will enjoy generous benefits and work/life programs. For a complete description of our benefits for this position, please visit our website, click here. (https://hr.uw.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2018/02/benefits-professional-staff-librarians-academic-staff-20230119\_a11y.pdf) **This posting will be used to fill multiple openings.** **Please note that this position has been refreshed. If you have already submitted your application, you need not submit it again, as it has already been received.** 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 Laboratory Medicine and Pathology has multiple openings for Research Scientist/ Engineer 4.** **DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES** The Research Scientist 4 will collaborate with Dr. Alex Greninger to conceive and develop projects and plans for understanding viral replication, viral-host protein-protein interactions, drug efficacy, viral evolution, and viral genome sequencing fields, and subsequent performance of assays and/or direction of technical personnel. - Creation and optimization of metagenomic next-generation sequencing libraries for unbiased pathogen detection and viral genome recovery. Genome finishing of novel viruses, including optimization of high-throughput methods. - Development of next-generation sequencing analysis pipelines for taxonomical analysis and viral genome visualization. - Development of phage display serological profiling tools to investigate high-resolution interrogation of serological response, including creation of analysis tools. - Perform high-level viral culture in novel culture models and reverse genetics work, analyze data compile results and draft reports for incoming research awards and contracts - Supervise and analyze quantitative viral load determination using RT-qPCR, qPCR, ddPCR, including optimization of new assays - Supervise performance of molecular procedures including but not limited to real-time PCR, Sanger sequencing, PCR product detection DNA sequencing and next generation sequencing; - Perform work accurately, precisely and meet test completion deadlines; - Maintain complete, accurate, legible, secure records. Thoroughly document any modifications using appropriate document and version control. - Analyze experimental data and report to the Director and Lab Supervisor; determine what modifications and follow-up experiments are necessary to generate relevant data; - Identify long and short-term goals; initiate research program/projects; - Contribute technical knowledge when initiating new projects to determining feasibility of goals and objectives of the study; - Contribute data and analyses for grant submissions; - Perform preliminary experiments for assay development; - Work with R, python, Geneious, Excel, and bash command line; - Accommodate schedule changes to cooperatively accomplish required daily work, coordinate with Laboratory supervisor/manager; - Collaborate with research team to create opportunities and ancillary research projects to enhance technical assay methodology or content through the expansion of existing or development of new projects; - Review the scientific process of each research project, analyze issues, understand scientific procedures and statistical analysis; report data using graphs and charts; - Provide ongoing feedback; identify development opportunities and actively solicit input on work methods; - Prepare manuscripts for publication; - Perform other duties as required. **MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS** - Education requirement, minimum: Master's degree in Microbiology/Biological Sciences or closely related field, or relevant equivalent experience. - Experience requirement, minimum: At least four years in related area or equivalent combination of education/experience in collaborative project design, and understanding of basic viral biology. **Equivalent education/experience will substitute for all minimum qualifications except when there are legal requirements, such as a license/certification/registration.** **ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS** - Strong written and communication skills. - Ability to problem-solve and troubleshoot. - OR Equivalent combination of education/experience **Conditions of Employment:** - It will be necessary to work in other departmental locations in order to meet patient service requirements, especially at Harborview Medical Center, UW Virology (1616 Eastlake) and South Lake Union. In addition, less frequent work effort will be required at other Seattle-area healthcare institutions. - Must be able to meet with all shifts on a regular basis. - May work weekends and holidays. - May be asked to work hours beyond normal open hours of the laboratory depending on staffing needs and current testing requirements. **Employees working in Laboratory Medicine:** - Must be able to communicate clinical information in English to clinicians, nursing, support staff and patients both verbally and in writing. - Visual verification of small print (as small as font size 9) between two to three references (labels, list, and requisitions) is required on a continual basis. - Sit at a desk or bench 30" to 37" high. - May be required to stand for periods of at least 2 hours at a time. - Use a computer keyboard and mouse. - Communicate by telephone and email. - Significant amount of repetitive hand motion stress due to pipette use required on a daily basis. - Reach objects in shelves, drawers, and equipment at a height range of 4" to 72" above the floor. - Work with bio hazardous specimens, including tissues and fluids, which may be infected with infectious particles, viruses and microorganisms. May work near infectious patients. May be exposed to bloodborne pathogens through needle stick or biohazard spill. - Work with and transport hazardous materials, such as solvents, acids and bases. - Lift containers (weighing 40 pounds or less) of supplies, reports, and specimens. - Determine subtle color and density gradations and changes during sample processing or testing. - Tolerate and communicate despite the noise of centrifuges, telephones, intercoms, blenders, biosafety cabinet, instrument alarms, and instrument vibration. - Wear protective equipment, such as gloves, gowns, masks and goggles, when appropriate. - Operate equipment such as a centrifuge, computer keyboard & printer, fume hood, biosafety cabinet, pipetting device, and syringe with needle. - This position may be stressful at times in that there is a constant need for timely patient results. - Tolerate the lack of outdoor light in the immediate vicinity. **Age Specific Competencies:** - Maintains knowledge of age and gender specific developmental stage differences and requirements to meet the needs of patients and their families. **Safety/Response to Emergencies:** - Maintain awareness of safety procedures; implement safety rules and regulations in compliance with institution standards. - Train staff in safety, and maintain safety as a priority within the department. - Have and exercise knowledge of laboratory safety and proper precautions when dealing with bio-hazardous, radioactive, corrosive, explosive and/or flammable materials. - Recognize potential safety hazards and take corrective action to resolve hazards or notify appropriate personnel. - Participate in interdepartmental efforts to facilitate a safe environment for all staff and patients. - Ensure staff knows location of safety information and supplies and are able to access information in response to queries or emergency situations. - Ensure staff keeps abreast of safety procedures including fire plan, disaster drills, evacuation routes, etc. - Participate in laboratory disaster preparedness drills. **Policies and Procedures:** - Follows established policies, procedures and techniques at all times. - Integrates new or revised procedures into the workplace. - Perform other duties as required. **OTHER** This position is eligible for H-1B sponsorship. 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. 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.