Research Scientist/Engineer Assistant

Job Description

The Institute for Protein Design has an outstanding opportunity for a Research Scientist/Engineer Assistant to join their team.”

About this Opportunity

Located at the University of Washington in Seattle, the Institute for Protein Design is a unique interdisciplinary environment where world-class researchers create new biomolecules. Our mission is to create proteins that solve modern challenges in medicine, technology, and sustainability. This position is engaged in recombinant protein production and characterization in support of the Multistage Malaria Research Team, with an emphasis on producing and evaluating designed malaria antigens, protein nanoparticles, and related reagents for vaccine research.

Purpose of the research project(s) this position supports:

As a member of the Multistage Malaria Research Team, this position will make important research contributions that support the development and evaluation of vaccine candidates targeting multiple stages of malaria infection. The team is advancing multiple vaccine antigens, antigen-bearing nanoparticles, and combination vaccine strategies across several parallel research efforts.

The Research Scientist/Engineer Assistant will support these efforts by expressing and purifying recombinant proteins, performing established biochemical and biophysical characterization assays, collecting high-quality experimental data, and helping organize and communicate results. The work will be performed collaboratively with scientists at the Institute for Protein Design and its research partners.

In this role, you can expect to:

• Work with Multistage Malaria Research Team members to accomplish research goals and maintain productive relationships with research colleagues and collaborators.

• Follow established protein production, purification, characterization, and documentation workflows.

• Maintain accurate laboratory records, databases, inventories, and experimental data.

• Attend project meetings, laboratory meetings, and team-building activities.

Key Responsibilities

(70%) Project-focused research

• Produce recombinant proteins using bacterial expression systems, including E. coli/Shuffle T7/BL21*, and/or mammalian cell systems such as HEK293 or CHO for high-priority Multistage Malaria projects.

• Perform established protein purification workflows using FPLC/ÄKTA systems, including affinity, size-exclusion, and ion-exchange chromatography as appropriate.

• Characterize proteins, antigens, and protein nanoparticles using SDS-PAGE, HPLC, biolayer interferometry (BLI/Octet), dynamic light scattering (DLS), negative stain electron microscopy (nSEM) and other established analytical methods.

• Produce and prepare low-endotoxin proteins for in vivo studies, including aliquoting, labeling, quality documentation, and preparation of Certificates of Testing (CoTs) for distribution to study partners and collaborators.

• Prepare buffers, reagents, standards, and samples, and perform routine laboratory calculations required for protein production and characterization.

• Follow standard operating procedures and working guidelines and document protocols and experiments performed in the wet lab.

• Review and organize experimental data, recognize results that fall outside expected ranges, and communicate observations to senior research staff.

• Maintain experimental records and enter data into laboratory databases and tracking systems.

• Prepare proteins and related reagents for downstream in vitro and in vivo studies and for distribution to collaborators.

(20%) Research support and laboratory operations

• Maintain laboratory inventories, common reagents, buffers, consumables, and biological materials used by the Multistage Malaria Research Team.

• Perform routine maintenance and cleaning of shared laboratory equipment and coordinate with senior staff when instrument issues arise.

• Assist with sample organization, labeling, storage, and shipment preparation.

• Support laboratory organization and compliance with established safety practices.

(10%) Data communication and team activities

• Compile experimental results and prepare clear figures, tables, and slides for weekly review by the project team and supporting project management and process development teams.

• Participate in project and laboratory meetings and communicate progress, results, and experimental issues.

• Participate in training and team-building activities and contribute to a collaborative research environment.

Required Qualifications

To be considered for this opportunity your application must demonstrate you meet both the minimum qualifications and additional qualifications listed below. Equivalent education and/or experience may substitute for minimum qualifications except when there are legal requirements, such as a license, certification, and/or registration.

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor's Degree in Biochemistry, Chemistry, molecular biology or any related field and less than one year of relevant experience.

Applicants who do not meet these qualifications WILL NOT be forwarded to the Hiring Manager.

Additional Qualifications

Hands-on laboratory experience preparing media, buffers, and reagents, with demonstrated familiarity with laboratory supplies, routine equipment maintenance, inventory management, and supply ordering.

• Hands-on laboratory experience with recombinant protein expression using bacterial systems such as E. coli/SHuffle T7 and/or mammalian cell systems such as HEK293 or CHO.

• Experience with protein purification using FPLC/ÄKTA or comparable automated chromatography systems.

• Experience preparing and running SDS-PAGE gels and interpreting gel results.

• Experience with HPLC-based protein analysis.

• Experience performing biolayer interferometry (BLI) using Octet or comparable instrumentation.

• Experience using dynamic light scattering (DLS) for characterization of proteins and/or protein nanoparticles.

• Ability to perform accurate laboratory calculations and prepare buffers, reagents, standards, and samples with close attention to detail.

• Strong organization and time-management skills, including the ability to prioritize and track multiple assigned experiments with overlapping timelines.

• Ability to follow established protocols, recognize when results or experimental conditions are outside expectations, and communicate issues promptly.

• Clear, timely, and professional written and verbal communication skills.

• Reliability, accountability, and consistent follow-through on assigned work and documentation.

• Ability to work collaboratively in a fast-paced, interdisciplinary team and willingness to learn new methods and incorporate feedback.

Preferred Qualifications:

Experience with both bacterial and mammalian recombinant protein expression systems.

• Experience with surface plasmon resonance (SPR) for protein-binding characterization.

• Experience preparing protein or nanoparticle samples for negative-stain electron microscopy and/or interpreting routine electron microscopy data.

• Experience working with protein nanoparticles, vaccine antigens, antibodies, or other recombinant biologics.

• Experience with affinity, size-exclusion, and ion-exchange chromatography workflows and routine evaluation of chromatographic data.

• Experience maintaining detailed electronic laboratory records and organizing experimental data in shared databases or tracking systems.

• Demonstrated success working on multiple projects and communicating effectively with scientists from different technical backgrounds, ELISA, and electron microscopy.

Compensation, Benefits and Position Details

Pay Range Minimum:

$56,400.00 annual

Pay Range Maximum:

$70,800.00 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.

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.