Research Associate II – Molecular Biology

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 system 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.

The Research Associate (RA) will be part of a multi-disciplinary team and will be responsible for performing core immunology and molecular biology techniques for the Allen Institute in a standardized, high throughput manner. This RA will support the continued running of standardized assays and also contribute to hypothesis driven validation studies. Opportunities exist for the exceptional candidate to actively contribute to technology development and the analysis of data from our longitudinal healthy, autoimmune, and cancer cohorts.

The Research Associate position is responsible for executing a wide variety of molecular biology assays in a production environment while creating and following Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs). These assays will include single cell RNA sequencing and single cell epigenetic profiling of human immune cells. Good judgment and problem-solving skills are required for recognizing process deviations, participating in troubleshooting, and operation of complex laboratory instrumentation. The Research Associate is expected to work within a team environment to tailor molecular biology assays to support hypothesis driven research. A successful candidate possesses excellent attention to detail and the eagerness to work in a team science, deadline-driven atmosphere.

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

• Perform single cell RNA sequencing, single cell epigenetic profiling (ATAC and/or CUT&Tag)
• Perform Quality Control assays where necessary
• Help with assay validation, SOP authoring and optimizations
• Train and support other team members
• Validate equipment and tracking tools
• Help set up and operate liquid handling instruments and other automation tools
• Meet production schedules and QC deliverables
• Support proof-of-concept projects as a part of the Molecular Biology core team
• Design and support validation experiments including CITE-seq and bulk RNA-seq

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 a life science discipline
• 2 years of equivalent experience

Preferred Education and Experience

• Experience in NGS technologies or single cell RNA transcriptomics is preferred or required for more experienced candidates
• Experience with a LIMS system
• Excellent work ethic displayed as a reliable, self-motivated, enthusiastic team player
• 1+ year experience working in a GLP or CLIA regulated environment
• Experience learning new technologies
• Background in immunology; working knowledge of cell types and functional assays
• Experience with liquid handling robots
• Demonstrated ability to improve processes
• Strong organizational and communication skills
• Proven problem-solving skills and attention to detail

Work Environment

• May enter laboratory environment, including potential exposure to lasers, biohazards

Physical Demands

• Fine motor movements in fingers/hands to operate computers and other office equipment; repetitive motion with lab equipment
• Bench top lab work requires repetitive multi-channel pipetting, single channel pipetting, computer data entry, and working in PCR and BSC hoods

Position Type/Expected Hours of Work

• Occasional evening and weekend hours may be required
• 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.

Travel

• Occasional travel may be required

Additional Eligibility Qualifications

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

Additional Comments

• Pending review of experience through the interview process, the exact level of title and related compensation will be determined

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.