Employment
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. Joining our team means becoming part of one of the largest and most innovative public universities in the world. Your work here will not only support scientific inquiry but also has the potential to make a real difference in global health and sustainability.
To see all our active job postings, search the keyword “IPD” on the UW hiring portal.*
Don’t see the perfect opening? Write to us at contact@ipd.uw.edu. We are always on the lookout for passionate individuals eager to contribute to one of the most dynamic and promising areas of science.
* Current UW undergraduates may apply to paid lab support (non-research) positions through UW Handshake.
Open Positions:
Research Scientist 1: Peptide Production Core
The Research Scientist 1 – PPC will be a key member of the General Production Core. The research activities will involve performing linear and cyclic peptide synthesis, purification, characterization and analysis/reporting of results to internal collaborators. The RS1 PPC will also assist in the optimization of methods listed above for peptide chemistry, bioconjugation chemistry, and mass spectrometry methods.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Peptide Production – 70%
Synthesize, purify, and characterize designed peptides
Ordering and maintenance of supplies, buffers, and reagents required
Communication of progress, timelines, and results to IPD researchers
Mass Spectrometry – 15%
Perform and analyze weekly mass spec for not only peptides, but proteins and all samples for the IPD.
Bioconjugation – 5%
Perform various chemical modification on peptides and proteins and characterize them.
Training and Supervision – 10%
Oversight of Undergraduate Student Assistants, which includes team project planning, aiding in hiring, onboarding and team mentoring.
MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS
Bachelor’s Degree in Chemistry, Biochemistry or similar + 1 year of experience in relate field, 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.
ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS
The Research Scientist 1-PPC is devoted primarily to scientific research and requires a B. Sc. in a chemistry-related field, with 1 year experience in organic chemistry or preferable peptide chemistry, OR equivalent combination of education/experience. Candidates must be capable of applying standardized scientific procedures and techniques to assignments of limited complexity, involving potentially conflicting design requirements.
Desired:
An ideal Research Scientist 1 – PPC candidate will be someone who (i) has had experience in a laboratory setting during the undergraduate degree (ii) will use their knowledge gained in their undergraduate degree program to apply fundamental concepts, practices and procedures, (iii) follows procedures for small projects and/or major project tasks which may last years under immediate supervision, and effectively manages them under guidance and direction from project staff; interfaces with investigator peers, (iv) can provide timely and professional scientific services to a number of internal collaborators on approximately 2-3 different projects, (v) can perform tasks and methods as directed, (vi) and enjoys interacting with other scientists in a highly collaborative and fast-paced work environment.
Research Scientist Assistant
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
This is a wet-lab focused position and will need to spend the majority of time on site.
- In this role, ~40% of the effort would be dedicated to testing new designs in small scale
(1mL-50mL), which entail cloning, expression, purification, and characterization. - Another ~40% of the effort would be dedicated to scaling up selected designs to larger laboratory
scales (1-10L) in bacteria. - The final ~20% of the effort is slated for development of the yeast expression pipeline.
- The RSA is expected to document and provide feedback as necessary on experiments and developmental processes.
MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS
Bachelor’s Degree in Molecular Biology/Biochemistry/Structural Biology/Cell Biology or related field + less than one year of relevant experience, 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.
ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS
- Previous hands-on experience or general familiarity with basic laboratory techniques, molecular
biology, and protein characterization. - General knowledge of biophysical techniques and biochemistry.
- This is an exclusively in-person position.
- RSA is expected to be able to travel to and work at two IPD sites (15-min walking distance)
depending on the task.
Desired:
Previous lab-based experience with biophysical methods for protein characterization.
Student Assistant (Lab Support, Non-Research)
Our diverse teams rely on the excellent work of undergraduate students who provide laboratory support for the day-to-day functioning of our wet-lab environments. Although such support makes research possible, this paid position does not include opportunities to conduct research.
Duties and Responsibilities:
- Dish washing
- Media/agar plate stocking
- Consumables stocking
- Inventory
- Autoclaving
- Sanitation/decontamination
- Daily mail and package processing
- General lab maintenance
Minimum Qualifications:
- Current UW undergraduate with an interest in biochemistry with at least one year left until graduation.
- Must be able to commit at least 12-15 hours per week depending on demands of the lab.
- Science major and completion/concurrent enrollment in intro bio series strongly preferred.
We offer flexible scheduling during the work week, Mondays through Fridays from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Weekend hours are available after 3-6 months on the job.
Educational Benefits:
This position will introduce you to laboratory research environments and basic microbiology techniques.
Application Process:
The University of Washington is an affirmative action and equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, age, protected veteran or disabled status, or genetic information.
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.
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.
To request disability accommodation in the application process, contact the Disability Services Office at 206-543-6450 or dso@uw.edu.
Equivalent education/experience will substitute for all minimum qualifications except when there are legal requirements, such as a license, certification, or registration.