Research Technician II

Overview

Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center is an independent, nonprofit organization providing adult cancer treatment and groundbreaking research focused on cancer and infectious diseases. Based in Seattle, Fred Hutch is the only National Cancer Institute-designated cancer center in Washington.

With a track record of global leadership in bone marrow transplantation, HIV/AIDS prevention, immunology, and COVID-19 vaccines, Fred Hutch has earned a reputation as one of the world’s leading cancer, infectious disease, and biomedical research centers. Fred Hutch operates eight clinical care sites that provide medical oncology, infusion, radiation, proton therapy, and related services, and network affiliations with hospitals in five states.

Together, our fully integrated research and clinical care teams seek to discover new cures to the world’s deadliest diseases and make life beyond cancer a reality.

At Fred Hutch we value collaboration, compassion, determination, excellence, innovation, integrity, and respect. Our mission is directly tied to the humanity, dignity, and inherent value of each employee, patient, community member, and supporter. Our commitment to learning across our differences and similarities makes us stronger. We seek employees who bring different and innovative ways of seeing the world and solving problems.

This research opportunity is with the McElrath laboratory and HIV Vaccine Trials Network (HVTN). Our lab is recruiting a Research Technician II to primarily perform assays to characterize antiviral T- and B-cell responses via cell sorting and sequencing on vaccine recipients participating in clinical trials of investigational vaccines for HIV, malaria, tuberculosis (MTB), and other infectious diseases. In addition, they will learn and execute additional flow-based assays.

They will be responsible for performing and coordinating the assays with other technicians and analyzing the data, interpreting and reporting on experimental results, and assisting with data presentation. They will assist in writing laboratory SOPs, reports, and other documentation. They will report to a staff scientist and work closely with a technical team.

The HVTN’s mission is to facilitate the process of testing preventive vaccines against HIV/AIDS or other infectious diseases. The organization conducts all phases of clinical trials from evaluating experimental vaccines for safety and the ability to stimulate immune responses through to testing vaccine efficacy. The HVTN laboratory is responsible for conducting laboratory-based studies to evaluate the immunogenicity of investigational vaccines.

A cover letter is required with the completed application to be considered for this role.

• Maintain a high level of accuracy for all work.
• Work well as a team member, participate in positive communication, and foster an environment that allows all laboratory staff to work well together.
• Independently perform flow cytometry, FACS sorting, antibody binding assays, and other experimental assays.
• Carry out maintenance, troubleshooting, and QC of laboratory equipment.
• Proactively prepare reagents for experiments and for general lab use.
• Troubleshoot and optimize experimental methods, results, and analysis.
• Maintain accurate documentation for experiments and quality control for the laboratory.
• Review the literature to stay informed on the HIV vaccine field or immunological assays.
• Perform data analysis.
• Other duties as assigned.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s degree in a related scientific field or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Two years of experience working in a laboratory outside of school coursework.

• Willing to work with biohazardous/infectious agents (e.g., blood borne pathogens, including HIV‑1).
• Flexible and willing to work some evenings and weekends.
• Specific experience with flow cytometry, immunology, and cellular assays is preferred.
• Motivation, adaptability, and ability to be a strong team player are essential, as is a keen interest in the HIV vaccine field.
• Great attention to detail, well‑organized, self‑motivated, and able to efficiently manage time…