Autoimmune disease research translating to therapies
Lab Aide Work-study
InternshipPosted on 10/3/2026Deadline 10/3/27
$22 - $26.38/hr
Seattle, WA, USA
In Person
Academic & Institutional ResearchLife Sciences Research
About the job
Requirements
Meet Washington state residency requirements for state financial aid and provide evidence of a work-study award.
Be enrolled at least half-time in an eligible program at a participating college, with the position related to the program of study.
Maintain academic progress.
Have a high school diploma or equivalent.
Responsibilities
Prepare media and reagents, including stock solutions.
Isolate DNA and perform polymerase chain reaction (PCR).
Perform molecular cloning.
Keep detailed notes of laboratory results.
Maintain a clean and orderly laboratory area.
Check and replenish supplies.
Assist with experiments as needed.
Desired Qualifications
Previous or current coursework in biology and/or chemistry.
Overview
The Ray Lab is interested in better understanding how genetic variation tunes our immune system and how this can put individuals at risk for autoimmune diseases. In this position a student will learn biological laboratory techniques including DNA isolation, PCR, gel electrophoresis, molecular cloning as well as how to keep laboratory notes. This work-study position is for up to 10 hours each week.
Responsibilities
Prepare media and reagents, such as stock solutions.
Isolate DNA and perform PCR
Molecular Cloning
Keep detailed notes of laboratory results.
Maintain a clean and orderly laboratory area.
Check and replenish supplies.
Assist with experiments as needed.
Qualifications
Meet Washington state residency requirements for state financial aid with evidence of a work-study award.
Be enrolled at least half-time in an eligible program at a participating college - position must relate to program of study.
Maintain academic progress.
High School Diploma or equivalent.
Preferred: Previous or current coursework in biology and/or chemistry
Compensation
$22.00 to $26.38 per hour
About Us
Benaroya Research Institute (BRI) has a bold mission: to advance the science to predict, prevent, reverse and cure immune system diseases, from autoimmune disease to cancer to asthma and allergies. We create detailed pictures of the immune system in health and disease, aiming to understand how disorders start and how to rebalance the immune system back to health. Equipped with innovative tools and robust biorepositories, our team chips away at the biggest mysteries behind these conditions to work toward our vision of a healthy immune system for everyone. BRI is a nonprofit research institute based in Seattle and affiliated with Virginia Mason Franciscan Health. We collaborate with clinicians and patients to accelerate the path from innovative lab discoveries to life-changing patient care.
At BRI, each individual is valued as an important contributor to our vision and mission. Consider making a difference by joining our team. Because together, we are powering possibility.
To learn more, visit benaroyaresearch.org and connect with us on LinkedIn, Bluesky, Instagram, Threads, Facebook and YouTube.
Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, protected veteran status or other characteristics protected by state or federal law.
If you need an accommodation or assistance completing the online application, please contact Human Resources at 206-342-6547 or email [email protected].This contact information is for accommodation requests only and cannot be used to inquire about the status of applications.
Press releases.
Seattle, WA
- Aug 3, 2026
Benaroya Research Institute appoints new principal investigator Edward Irvine, PhD.
Benaroya Research Institute (BRI), a world leader in human immunology research, welcomed the addition of Edward Irvine, PhD, as principal investigator and assistant member in the Center for Systems Immunology.
"We are very excited to welcome Dr. Irvine," said Jane Buckner, MD, president of BRI. "His research brings new and innovative expertise to BRI. We look forward to seeing how his background in protein engineering and AI helps advance our vision of a healthy immune system for all."
The Irvine Lab will combine protein engineering, AI and immunology to study how antibodies communicate with immune cells. A major focus of the lab will be the antibody Fc domain, which helps determine how the immune system responds after an antibody recognizes its target. By uncovering the rules that connect Fc sequence and structure to immune function, the lab aims to design antibodies that direct immune responses with greater precision and support the development of therapies that restore and protect immune health.
"I came to BRI because it brings together outstanding scientists and clinicians whose expertise spans many areas of immunology. That creates real opportunities to think creatively about where engineered antibodies could have the greatest impact. I was also drawn to how boldly BRI thinks about what is possible for patients. It truly is an inspiring place to launch a new research program, and I'm excited to contribute," said Dr. Irvine.
Prior to joining BRI, Dr. Irvine completed a postdoctoral research fellowship with the Laboratory for Systems and Synthetic Immunology led by Sai Reddy, PhD, at ETH Zurich in Switzerland. During his fellowship, he used protein engineering and AI to develop novel platforms to predict and engineer immune function.
Dr. Irvine holds a doctorate in biological sciences in public health with a concentration in immunology and infectious diseases from Harvard University.
About Benaroya Research Institute.
Benaroya Research Institute (BRI) is a world leader in human immune system research, working to advance the science that will predict, prevent, reverse and cure immune system diseases like allergies, asthma, cancer and autoimmune diseases.
BRI accelerates discovery through laboratory breakthroughs in immunology that are then translated to clinical therapies. Benaroya Research Institute believe that a breakthrough in one immune system disease can lead to progress against them all, and work tirelessly toward its vision of a healthy immune system for everyone. BRI is an independent nonprofit research institute affiliated with Virginia Mason Franciscan Health and based in Seattle.
Tech Moves covers notable hires, promotions and personnel changes in the Pacific NW tech community. Submissions: [email protected] Cotter. (Dave Cotter Photo)— Dave Cotter, a longtime Seattle tech leader who sold a startup to Nordstrom and most recently led product at Leafly, launched a new advisory firm called D3 Advisors.“After 30+ years in the operational trenches, I’m now focusing on advising and consulting with startup founders, CEOs, and VC’s, helping them turn great ideas into great companies,” Cotter wrote in a blog post.Cotter was chief product officer at Seattle-based cannabis data and marketplace company Leafly for more than three years before departing in January 2023. He previously co-founded an e-commerce message startup called MessageYes that was acquired by Nordstrom in 2018.Cotter also has exec experience at Amazon, Zulily, SquareHub, and RealNetworks. He’s currently board chair at the Washington Technology Industry Association, and serves on the board of the Technology Alliance.— Johanna Faries, former GM of Call of Duty at Activision, was named president of Blizzard Entertainment. The new role comes as Microsoft just announced a 9% layoff affecting nearly 2,000 employees in its gaming division, three months after the tech giant completed its $69 billion acquisition of Blizzard parent company Activision Blizzard
Tech Moves covers notable hires, promotions and personnel changes in the Pacific NW tech community. Submissions: [email protected] Adams. (Adaptive Photo)— Mark Adams is stepping down as chief operating officer of Adaptive Biotechnologies, the company said today in a regulatory filing.Adams joined the Seattle-based biotech giant more than three years ago. The filing stated that “his service is being terminated by May 2023.”His role will be absorbed by Adaptive’s current president, Julie Rubinstein.“Mark Adams has been instrumental in scaling Adaptive’s operations over the past several years, including putting in place world-class technology and operations leaders,” Adaptive said in a statement to GeekWire. “He is an incredible leader and cultural champion, and we are grateful for his contributions to Adaptive.”Adams was previously managing director of healthcare advanced analytics at SVB Securities and was a principal at Booz Allen Hamilton. He was first hired by Adaptive as chief technology officer.Rubinstein joined Adaptive in 2011 as senior vice president of corporate and business development and became president seven years later
Researchers at Benaroya Research Institute (BRI) and the University of Washington published findings today in the Journal of Experimental Medicine that illustrate a novel mechanism for regulatory T cells’ (Tregs) role in maintaining balance in a healthy immune system.