Senior Research Associate
Senior Research Associate - Genomics Specialist
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.
We are looking for an exceptional Senior Research Associate who will lead cutting-edge single-cell NGS assay development 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 the 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.
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.
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 train the team on standard operating procedures and good laboratory practices
- Perform analysis of single-cell data to assess next steps and contribute to publications
- Support discovery projects as a part of the Experimental Immunology core team
Required Education and Experience
- Bachelor's degree in life sciences
- 6+ years' equivalent experience
- Proven success in troubleshooting and innovation on existing NGS platforms
Preferred Education and Experience
- Experience with immune cell handling and manipulation
- Strong organizational and communication skills within a team setting
- Experience with a LIMS system
- Demonstrated success in high throughput workflows and rapid adoption of new single-cell technologies
- Demonstrated impact in sequencing technologies through publications or patents
- Demonstrated ability to independently analyze NGS data through coding languages (R, python, bash, version control)
Work Environment
- Working in a laboratory environment with potential exposure to lasers, biohazards
Expected Hours of Work
- May need to work outside of standard working hours at times
- This role is currently working onsite and remotely when possible, due to COVID-19 and our focus on employee safety. We continue to evaluate the safest options for our employees.
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.
Requirements:
- Bachelor's degree in life sciences
- 6+ years' equivalent experience
- Proven success in troubleshooting and innovation on existing NGS platforms