Post-Doctoral Research Fellow

Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center is an independent, nonprofit organization providing adult cancer treatment and groundbreaking research focused on cancer and infectious diseases. Based in Seattle, Fred Hutch is the only National Cancer Institute-designated cancer center in Washington.

With a track record of global leadership in bone marrow transplantation, HIV/AIDS prevention, immunotherapy and COVID-19 vaccines, Fred Hutch has earned a reputation as one of the world's leading cancer, infectious disease and biomedical research centers. Fred Hutch operates eight clinical care sites that provide medical oncology, infusion, radiation, proton therapy and related services, and network affiliations with hospitals in five states. Together, our fully integrated research and clinical care teams seek to discover new cures to the world's deadliest diseases and make life beyond cancer a reality.

At Fred Hutch we value collaboration, compassion, determination, excellence, innovation, integrity and respect. Our mission is directly tied to the humanity, dignity and inherent value of each employee, patient, community member and supporter. Our commitment to learning across our differences and similarities make us stronger. We seek employees who bring different and innovative ways of seeing the world and solving problems.

The Blanco-Melo Lab, within the Vaccine and Infectious Disease Division, studies the strategies that animal hosts have deployed throughout evolution to combat viral infections. Our particular focus is on medically important human viruses, such as Influenza A virus and SARS-CoV-2, as well as ancient viral pathogens and their impact on the evolution of animal immune responses. Through the combination of molecular biology, genomics and bioinformatics, the Blanco-Melo Lab seeks to characterize and exploit our highly evolved antiviral responses in order to enable the design of broadly acting therapeutics against current and emerging viral threats.

Our lab is seeking a highly motivated and curious Post-Doctoral Research Fellow to carry out research projects aimed at understanding the mechanisms controlling human antiviral pathways and the evolutionary forces that drove their emergence. This position will work independently under the guidance of, and in conjunction with, the Principal Investigator in accomplishing the goals of the laboratory and will be responsible for the performance of individual research projects. The successful candidate will be responsible for working on wet/dry lab projects; executing, improving, and developing research pipelines; and conducting and reporting data analyses using principles of good statistical scientific practice and reproducible research. The successful candidate will work with an interactive collaborative team of scientists to carry out a variety of cutting-edge computational, cellular, and molecular biology analyses to advance different projects and contribute to publications.

The Blanco-Melo Lab is committed to building a creative and supportive environment of trust, inclusion and belonging where people can thrive and achieve their particular goals.

Perform experiments at the bench level to support investigative work. Perform and optimize documented protocols and assays. Operate and maintain laboratory equipment and analytical instruments.
• Maintain laboratory records and compile data on experiments and results.
• Perform and optimize documented data analysis pipelines.
• Design and perform bioinformatic analyses and/or computational experiments.
• Assist in the design of experiments. Conduct literature reviews to assist in determining most suitable methods to be used in research. Assist in publication of results by writing, proofreading, editing, and contributing ideas as an author or co-author.
• Interpret and report on experimental results. Perform statistical analysis of test results (including charts and graphics) and prepare written and/or oral reports on work performed.
• Present data at local and national meetings.
• The successful candidate may be responsible for training and supporting students.
• Perform other duties as required.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• Applicants must have a PhD (or equivalent degree) in Biomedical Sciences, virology, immunology, or similar areas of focus.
• Applicants must have a strong interest in virology, immunology, evolution, infectious diseases and/or global health, and have previous experience in stem cell biology.
• Applicants must be proficient in basic techniques in molecular biology (e.g. PCR, purification, cloning, and manipulation of genomic/plasmid DNA, cDNA, and RNA).
• Laboratory research experience in cell tissue culture, viral vector transduction (lentivirus), flow cytometry, and BSL-2 virology work is required, including culture and transduction of stem cells.
• Evidence of productivity appropriate to a postdoctoral fellow as measured by publications and presentations, abstracts and posters at conferences.
• Ability to think critically and design and interpret experiments is essential, as are strong communication skills.
• Excellent organizational and interpersonal skills are required.
• Motivation, adaptability, and ability to be a team player are essential.
• The candidate must be someone with strong troubleshooting skills, great attention to details, well-organized, self-motivated, and able to efficiently manage time and experiments.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Computer skills: Microsoft Excel, Prism (Graphpad), FlowJo, and statistical programs for data analysis (R, Python and other programming skills) are desired.
• Experience with next-generation sequencing (Illumina), data analysis and/or bioinformatics is desired.

The annual base salary range for this position is from $77,976 to $95,014 and pay offered will be based on experience and qualifications.

Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center offers employees a comprehensive benefits package designed to enhance health, well-being, and financial security. Benefits include medical/vision, dental, flexible spending accounts, life, disability, retirement, family life support, employee assistance program, onsite health clinic, income-based child care subsidy, tuition reimbursement, paid vacation (22 days per year), paid sick leave (up to 30 calendar days per occurrence of a qualifying reason), paid holidays (13 days per year), and paid parental leave (up to 4 weeks).