Trauma Research Laboratory Technician 2

As a UW employee, you have a unique opportunity to change lives on our campuses, in our state and around the world. UW employees offer their boundless energy, creative problem-solving skills, and dedication to build stronger minds and a healthier world.

UW faculty and staff also enjoy outstanding benefits, professional growth opportunities and unique resources in an environment noted for diversity, intellectual excitement, artistic pursuits, and natural beauty.

UW School of Medicines Trauma, Burn, and Critical Care Division within the Department of Surgery, has an exciting opportunity for a 1.0 FTE Laboratory Technician 2 to support faculty research at Harborview Medical Centers Research and Training building.

POSITION PURPOSE
This position will work in Dr. Scott Brakenridges research lab whose research is focused on trauma, sepsis, persistent inflammation/immunosuppression as well as catabolism after shock. Studies include determining the immunologic mechanisms and endotypes of severely injured or septic human patients, as well as the development and application of genomic, cellular, and functional immune analytic techniques for clinically relevant precision medicine applications.

To manage the responsibilities of this position, the Laboratory Technician 2 must have appropriate technical skills to readily integrate into the laboratory, which involves molecular biology, immunology, and cell culture techniques. This position reports to the Research Scientist/Engineer (RS/E) with a matrixed reporting relationship to Dr. Brakenridge.

The Laboratory Technician 2s primary duties are in three categories:
Provide research support for projects in the HMC Department of Surgery Laboratory (65%)
Communication with multi-research sites (25%)
Assist with laboratory compliance; set up and management of HMC Laboratory Space (10%)

The scientific work of the program requires attention to detail and a general understanding of
biochemistry and scientific concepts. Basic research laboratory, molecular biology, immunology, and cell culture skills and training/experience are required. Program-specific protocol and
technique training will be provided as part of the onboarding process. The Lab Technician 2 will
routinely perform sample preparation and analyses of human biological samples (i.e., blood). The
individual in this position will assist the RS/E as they perform procedures from established
protocols and will help to recognize and analyze technical problems and unexpected results.

The NIH-funded research program is part of a large multi-institutional collaborative program. As
such, the Lab Tech 2 will be communicating and working with all participating sites on a regular
basis, under the guidance and supervision of the RS/E.

Our Mission and How This Position Contributes:
The Department of Surgery is a large department within the School of Medicine, with surgeons practicing at all our locations and in eight surgical subspecialties. The UW Department of Surgery is guided by our mission of providing compassionate and high-quality patient care, training future generations of surgical leaders, and conducting research in a collegial environment that embraces diversity and promotes inclusiveness.

Our Commitment to Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI):
The Department of Surgery strives to dismantle systemic racism, eliminate healthcare disparities, and promote health equity in our work. Racism and intolerance have no place in our community. We celebrate our multitude of intersecting identities and commit to the ongoing effort of creating an inclusive and supportive workplace climate.

All staff in the Department of Surgery are asked to demonstrate and develop the following core competencies:
Quality Focus: strives to deliver the best possible service and results, and continuously seeks opportunities for improvement.
Key attributes: accuracy, customer service, continuous improvement, problem-solving, and self-development
Planning & Organization: completes work in a timely, efficient, and resourceful manner
Key attributes: priority setting, efficiency, resourcefulness, adaptability and flexibility, organizational awareness, and initiative
Teamwork & Relationship Building: builds and fosters positive working relationships with others to achieve shared objectives.
Key attributes: collaboration, communication, emotional intelligence, recognition, accountability, and integrity
Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion: values and honors diverse experiences and perspectives, strives to create welcoming and respectful work environments including dismantling structures of oppression, promotes and contributes to a culture of access, opportunity, and justice.
Key attributes: respect, cultural humility, inclusiveness, advocacy, and commitment

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Provide research support for projects in the HMC Department of Surgery Laboratory = 65%
Perform sample processing of specimens from human patients. Blood and other sample processing collected by research nurses or research coordinators. Sample preparation and cryostorage for translational laboratory experiments and analyses
Perform primary cell culture, cell isolation, RNA/DNA isolation and analysis
Assist/perform scientific experiments, including ELISA, ELISPOT, and flow cytometry experiments
Assist with maintaining quality control for assays performed throughout the laboratory
Review data collection and analyze data; maintain records of results
Discuss results with PIs and other scientists to assess and analyze research data; analysis will be used for reporting results and writing scientific articles. Based on contributions, may be listed as co-author or acknowledged in peer-review publications
Prepare laboratory reagents, chemicals, instruments and equipment
With oversight from the Research Scientist/Engineer, perform quality assurance/quality control procedures for all scientific procedures performed and create QA/QC procedures for new scientific protocols

Communication with multi-research sites = 25%
Maintain effective and consistent communication with the Research Scientist/Engineer and Division Principal Investigators (PIs)
Participate in weekly & ad hoc laboratory meetings and planning sessions
Ensure effective transfer of experimental results and/or biospecimens to designated individuals, collaborators, or contract companies
Order chemicals, reagents, and other supplies
Collection, processing, and cryostorage of tissue, blood, and other samples. Record and organize patient samples for subsequent analyses
With oversight from the Research Scientist/Engineer, receives, organizes, and ships out clinical samples to collaborator sites for analysis. Prepares human blood collection and analysis kits for use in clinical studies by multiple nationwide clinical sites
Helps to maintain laboratory within federal and university guidelines regarding storage, use, and disposal of radioactive isotopes and flammable, corrosive biological and toxic chemicals; is responsible for coordinating procedures to inactivate biological waste, including human blood/tissue products, and tissue culture waste
Participates in the maintenance of inventory records and the use of controlled substances and select agents

Assist with laboratory compliance; set up and management of HMC Laboratory Space = 10%
Maintains laboratory supplies and equipment performance
Recommends and orders supplies
With the oversight from the Research Scientist/Engineer, orders technical assistance and equipment servicing from businesses, equipment, and assay quality control
Oversee, update, and audit biobank cryostorage equipment and inventory documentation
Participates in the demonstration of routine laboratory techniques to PIs and staff
Assists in the management of records of supply use, pricing, and suppliers
Participates in training on specialized equipment for other lab/research personnel as necessary
Performs surveys regularly to assess compliance with local, state, and federal regulations

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS
One year of college with course work emphasizing laboratory science; OR one years experience performing routine laboratory work, or equivalent.

Equivalent education and/or experience may substitute for minimum qualifications except when there are legal requirements, such as a license, certification, and/or registration.

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS
Bachelor of Science degree in biomedical science
2 years of laboratory benchwork experience or more in molecular/cell biology and immunology techniques

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT
Work in a laboratory environment
Work with human biological specimens (i.e., blood samples)
Occasional telework allowed

We hope you will apply and please learn more about our department, values, and core competencies at