Easter Seals Jobs

Req #: 242958

Department: BIOCHEMISTRY/IPD

Posting Date: 01/29/2025

Closing Info: Open Until Filled

Salary: $6,800 - $8,700 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/benefits/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2018/02/benefits-professional-staff-librarians-academic-staff-20230701_a11y.pdf)

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 Institute for Protein Design (IPD) has an outstanding opportunity for a Research Scientist/Engineer 3 to join their team.

The Institute for Protein Design (IPD) at the University of Washington is a world-leading research center focused on creating new proteins that solve challenges in medicine, technology, and sustainability. Founded by Nobel laureate David Baker, the IPD fosters a collaborative, interdisciplinary environment, bringing together expertise in computational design, biochemistry, genome sciences, and structural biology. Current projects include the development of novel therapeutics, vaccines, enzymes, and protein-based nanomaterials. Learn more at ipd.uw.edu.

POSITION PURPOSE

The Research Scientist/Engineer 3 will play a critical role in supporting and advancing structural characterization efforts at the IPD. By meeting the growing demand for negative-stain and cryo-EM structural characterization, this position directly impacts the success of multiple research projects and collaborative initiatives, contributing to the IPD’s mission to design proteins to address global challenges.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES Cryo-EM and ns-EM Structural Characterization (60%)

• Conduct structural studies of computationally designed proteins and protein nanomaterials using negative-stain EM and cryo-EM (both single-particle analysis and tomography).

• Process and analyze EM data, including reconstructions, tomography datasets, and build and validate structures.

• Collaborate with internal and external researchers to provide structural insights into protein design projects.

• Prepare manuscripts, generate publication-quality figures, and contribute to the communication of research findings through presentations and written documentation.Mentorship and Training (25%)

• Train and mentor junior researchers, including postdoctoral fellows, graduate students, and staff, in negative-stain EM and cryo-EM methodologies, with an emphasis on ns-EM due to high demand.

• Develop and maintain standard operating procedures for negative-stain and cryo-EM workflows.Instrumentation Oversight (15%)

• Manage and maintain IPD-specific EM equipment, including two Talos L120C microscopes, a negative-stain sample preparation station, and a cryo-EM sample preparation station which includes a Vitrobot Mark IV.

• Coordinate service and maintenance schedules for IPD-specific instruments and ensure optimal performance.

• Work with department-owned instrumentation, including the on-site 200 kV Glacios, 300 kV Krios, 120 kV T-12 Spirit, and Aquilos for FIB-milling, as as needed to support IPD research and collaborative efforts.

• Coordinate the scheduling, operation, and remote utilization of Cryo-EM instruments at national centers, ensuring efficient use of IPD-allocated resources and overseeing the shipment of samples to support research objectives. MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

• Bachelor's Degree in Biochemistry, Biology, Physics, or any other relevant field and four years of relevant experience, including at least 3 years of hands-on-experience in cyro-electron microscopy, including sample preparation, data collection, image processing, and structure building, OR equivalent combination of education/experience. Equivalent education/experience will substitute for all minimum qualifications except when there are legal requirements, such as a license/certification/registration. DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Doctorate degree in biochemistry, biology, or any other relevant field preferred.

• 4+ years of relevant experience.

• Experience with FIB-milling for cryo-electron tomography.

• Familiarity with managing and maintaining cryo-EM instrumentation.

• Experience with protein expression, purification, and cryo-EM sample optimization.

• Strong understanding of structural biology principles and their application to protein design and analysis.

• Experience with grant writing or securing funding for scientific projects.

• Ability to publish high-quality research in peer-reviewed journals and present findings at conferences.

• Experience implementing or contributing to automated data collection workflows for cryo-EM.

• Familiarity with high-performance computing environments for large-scale data processing.

• Expertise in single-particle analysis and tomography workflows for cryo-EM.

• Proficiency in cryo-EM data processing software such as cryoSPARC, Relion, EMAN, Dynamo, and/or IMOD, including experience with tools commonly used for tomography data processing.

• Proficiency in structural modeling and validation software such as Phenix, Rosetta, Chimera, ISOLDE, Namdinator, and COOT.

• Strong experience working in command-line environments (Linux/Unix terminals).

• Proven experience mentoring and training researchers in cryo-EM and ns-EM techniques.

• Strong technical and scientific problem-solving skills. Application Process: The application process 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 access 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.