Research Associate II – Proteomics

The mission of the Allen Institute is to understand the principles that govern life and to advance health. Our creative and multi-dimensional teams focus on answering some of the biggest questions in bioscience. We accelerate foundational research, catalyze bold ideas, develop tools and models, and openly share our science to make a broad, transformational impact on the world.

The mission of the Allen Institute for Brain Science is to accelerate the understanding of how the human brain works in health and disease. Using a big science approach, we generate useful public resources, drive technological and analytical advances, and discover fundamental brain properties through the integration of experiments, modeling, and theory.

The Allen Institute for Brain Science is seeking a Research Associate who will be part of a multidisciplinary team within the newly formed Proteomics Program. The successful candidate will be a member of the Proteomics team, which produces and analyzes large-scale cell-type specific proteomics data from primary mouse brain tissue to help characterize subcellular compartments within neuronal and non-neuronal cell types in the brain.

The candidate will play a role in collecting, processing, and analyzing acquired proteomics data and make improvements to existing experimental protocols, analysis pipelines, and help develop new ones. They may also assist in sharing data with internal and external collaborators.

At the Allen Institute, we believe that science is for everyone – and should be open to everyone. We are dedicated to combating biases and reducing barriers to STEM careers more broadly.

We also believe that science is better when it includes different perspectives and voices. We strive to make the Allen Institute a place where everyone feels like they belong and are empowered to do their best work in a supportive environment.

We are an equal-opportunity employer and strongly encourage people from all backgrounds to apply for our open positions.

Essential Functions

• This is primarily a lab-based position focused on performing a variety of proteomics workflows, including cell-based and biochemical assays focused on the generation of samples
• Collaborate with team members to perform proteomics experiments, including the testing and optimization of methods for cell type-specific proteomics experiments
• Show willingness to learn new protocols, relevant equipment, related software, and data analysis methods
• Summarize and present data in both oral and written formats and prepare data for sharing with internal and external collaborators

*Note: Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. This description reflects management’s assignment of essential functions; it does not proscribe or restrict the tasks that may be assigned.*

Required Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in life sciences (e.g., Neuroscience, Molecular Biology, Biochemistry, Cell Biology, or related field) or computational biology
• 2 years of related experience
• Experience preparing biological samples (tissues, cells) for LC-MS analysis, including protein extraction, digestion, sample clean-up and using various enrichment techniques (e.g., precipitation) to enhance detection sensitivity
• Experience with standard molecular biology techniques, including cloning, cell/nuclei isolation, and PCR

Preferred Education and Experience

• Positive attitude, self-motivated, and ability to troubleshoot
• Experience in histological methods such as tissue sectioning and staining
• Experience in computational analysis of proteomics and/or genomics data
• Experience with handling large, complex data set analysis using R, Python, and/or Linux shell scripting
• Familiarity with cloud computing environments

Work Environment

• Exposure to and handling of laboratory animals required
• Laboratory atmosphere - possible exposure to chemical, biological or other hazardous substances

Animal Care Services

• The role may include occasional exposure to and handling of laboratory animals, including performing health assessments of mice, administering compounds to mice, and/or performing euthanasia and tissue collections from mice

Physical Demands

• Occasional lifting to 30 pounds
• Frequently required to sit, stand, walk, stoop, kneel or reach
• Fine motor movements in fingers/hands to operate computers and other office equipment; lab equipment

Position Type/Expected Hours of Work

• This role is currently working onsite and is expected to work onsite for the majority of working hours. The primary work location for this role is 615 Westlake Ave N., with the flexibility to work remotely on a limited basis.

Additional Eligibility Qualifications

• All employees who work with live animals must complete an Occupational Health medical history form and/or consultation with an Occupational Health Provider and receive clearance to work with animals. Depending on your health history and job responsibilities, an annual respiratory health screening and clearance to use a respirator may also be required.

Annualized Salary Range

• $66,500- $81,350*

* Final salary depends on the required education for the role, experience, level of skills relevant to the role, and work location, where applicable.

Benefits

• Employees (and their families) are eligible to enroll in benefits per eligibility rules outlined in the Allen Institute’s Benefits Guide. These benefits include medical, dental, vision, and basic life insurance. Employees are also eligible to enroll in the Allen Institute’s 401k plan. Paid time off is also available as outlined in the Allen Institutes Benefits Guide. Details on the Allen Institute’s benefits offering are located at the following link to the Benefits Guide: https://alleninstitute.org/careers/benefits.

It is the policy of the Allen Institute to provide equal employment opportunity (EEO) to all persons regardless of age, color, national origin, citizenship status, physical or mental disability, race, religion, creed, gender, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, genetic information, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law. In addition, the Allen Institute will provide reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities.