Research Associate III - Single Cell Genomic Specialist - Immunology

The mission of the Allen Institute is to unlock the complexities of bioscience and advance our knowledge to improve human health. Using an open science, multi-scale, team-oriented approach, the Allen Institute focuses on accelerating foundational research, developing standards and models, and cultivating new ideas to make a broad, transformational impact on science.

The mission of the Allen Institute for Immunology is to advance the fundamental understanding of human immunology through the study of immune health and diseases where excessive or impaired immune responses drive pathological processes. The Institute will employ a multi-disciplinary team approach in collaboration with academic centers of human immunology to generate novel mechanistic insights into the immune synapse in health and in diseases such as autoimmunity or oncology. The Institute will simultaneously provide a foundational data set and tools for future immunological research as well as a novel collaboration portal for the broader scientific community.

We are looking for an exceptional Research Associate III who will design and implement cutting-edge single cell NGS assays as part of a multidisciplinary team. This role includes novel technology development and application, including building upon our recently published TEA-seq assay. Opportunities exist for the exceptional candidate to actively contribute to analysis and interpretation of data from our longitudinal healthy, autoimmune, and cancer cohorts as well as cross train on other immunological assays.

Good judgment and problem-solving skills are required for technology development, participating in troubleshooting, and operation of complex laboratory instrumentation. A successful candidate possesses excellent attention to detail and the eagerness to work in a Team Science, deadline-driven atmosphere. Key deliverables will include contributions to technology development, publications and patents.

The Allen Institute believes that team science significantly benefits from the participation of diverse voices, experiences and backgrounds. High-quality science can only be produced when it includes different perspectives. We are committed to increasing diversity across every team and encourage people from all backgrounds to apply for this role.

Essential Functions

• Lead research on primary human immune cells from blood, bone marrow and biopsies for single cell assays to drive biological insight and guide strategic decisions
• Design single cell RNA sequencing experiments with custom CITE-seq panels
• Lead novel single cell epigenetic profiling experiments (ATAC and/or CUT&Tag)
• Drive scientific creativity in developing new NGS assays or approaches to increase biological understanding
• Write and adhere to standard operating procedures and good laboratory practices
• Support hypothesis driven projects as a part of the Experimental Immunology core team

Required Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in life sciences
• 4 years of equivalent experience

Preferred Education and Experience

• Demonstrated success in high throughput workflows
• Proven success in troubleshooting and innovation on existing NGS platforms
• Experience with single cell sequencing technologies
• Demonstrated scientific impact through publications or patents
• Experience with immune cell handling and manipulation
• Strong organizational and communication skills within a team setting
• Experience with a LIMS system
• Demonstrated ability to independently analyze NGS data through coding languages (R, python, bash)

Work Environment

• Working in a laboratory environment with potential exposure to lasers, biohazards

Position Type/Expected Hours of Work

• May need to work outside of standard working hours at times
• 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 flexibility to work remotely on a limited basis.

Additional Eligibility Qualifications

• In keeping with our focus on employee safety, all employees must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 as a condition of employment unless a medical or religious exemption is approved. All employees will be required to keep their vaccination status up to date according to CDC guidance and our policy.

Additional Comments

• **Please note, this opportunity does sponsor work visas**
• **Please note, this opportunity does offer relocation assistance**

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.