Research Scientist/Engineer 2

Job Description

Overview

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. All of which has allowed the UW to be nationally recognized as a Great College to Work For for four consecutive years.

The Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences within the UW School of Medicine is the third largest clinical department within the School of Medicine with 330 full-time faculty members, 460 courtesy faculty members, and over 350 staff. Department faculty provide clinical services in 5 hospitals, 14 primary care locations, and several outpatient sites in addition to telepsychiatry consultations to more than 150 clinics in Washington and beyond. As the only academic psychiatry department serving the five state WWAMI region (Washington, Wyoming, Alaska, Montana, Idaho), the Departments highly competitive residency training program is largely responsible for developing the mental health workforce in the Pacific Northwest. The Departments robust research portfolio totals $67 million in grants and contracts per year for projects ranging from clinical neurosciences to treatment development to health policy and population health. The Department is recognized as an international leader in developing, testing, and implementing Collaborative Care, an integrated care model increasingly seen as a solution for population-based mental health care. Other areas of excellence include Addictions, Autism, High Risk Youth, Neurosciences, and Trauma, and the Department is developing innovative new programs in Technology and Mental Health, Global Mental Health, Maternal and Child Mental Health, and Targeted Intervention Development. Psychiatry is the third largest department in the School of Medicine and the largest non-divisioned department. The overall annual operations funding from all sources is over $130 million.

The Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences within the UW School of Medicine currently has an outstanding opportunity for a Research Scientist/Engineer 2.

Korvatska laboratory within the Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences focuses on genetic risks of dementia and age-related neurodegeneration, with an emphasis on Alzheimers disease (AD), AD-related dementias, Parkinsons disorder (PD) and PD-related movement disorders.

This position will support research on the functional genetics of variants associated with neurodegenerative diseases. Primary responsibilities include conducting reporter assays, analysis of patient-derived cells and tissues using long-read RNA sequencing, RNAprotein interaction studies, and generation of cellular models of disease. The successful candidate will contribute to the labs ongoing research by performing experiments, developing and optimizing protocols, analyzing data, and assisting in the preparation of manuscripts for publication. The position requires a strong foundation in RNA biology and demonstrated expertise in the genetics of neurodegenerative disorders.

Responsibilities

Scientific Operations (50%)

• Maintain human cell lines and primary cell cultures.

• Isolate nucleic acids from cultured cells and postmortem human tissues.

• Optimize reporter assays to screen DNA variants in disease-associated genes.

• Prepare cDNA libraries for next-generation sequencing.

• Analyze transcript isoforms using long-read RNA sequencing, qRT-PCR, and related methods.

• Perform protein analysis using western blotting, flow cytometry, and immunofluorescent microscopy.

• Develop and refine experimental protocols to enhance data quality.

• Maintain accurate and detailed experimental records, including deviations from standard protocols.

Project Management (25%)

• Supervise and mentor student trainees involved in research projects.

• Assist the PI with research grant management, including tracking expenditures.

• Closely work with the PI on preparing data for grant applications and scientific presentations.

• Lead moderately scoped projects and contribute to feasibility assessments and planning.

• Present research findings in lab meetings and collaborative group settings.

Laboratory Management (25%)

• Ensure compliance with chemical and biological safety protocols.

• Maintain lab organization, inventory, and supply ordering.

• Organize and manage biological sample repositories.

• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Minimum Requirement

• Bachelors degree in Genetics, Genome Sciences, Molecular Biology, or a related biomedical field, and a minimum of two years of research experience in the medical genetics laboratory setting, including hands-on experience designing and executing splicing reporter assays to evaluate the functional impact of genetic variants.

• OR equivalent combination of education and experience.

Additional Requirements

• Demonstrated expertise in developing protocols for plasmid DNA delivery (e.g., transfection or nucleofection) in mammalian cell systems.

• Experience with DNA library preparation for next-generation sequencing (NGS).

• Proficiency in core molecular biology techniques, including nucleic acid extraction, RT/qRT-PCR, cloning, site-directed mutagenesis, protein extraction, and western blotting.

• Willingness and ability to work in a BSL-2 laboratory environment.

• Strong written and oral communication skills, as demonstrated by co-authorship on peer-reviewed publications and/or presentations at scientific conferences.

Desired Qualifications

• Familiarity with NGS platforms and associated instrumentation.

• GLP/GCLP certification or experience working under regulated laboratory practices is a plus.

• Strong foundation in RNA biology, with demonstrated research experience in the genetics of neurodegenerative diseases.

• High level of initiative, with the ability to work independently and master new experimental techniques.

• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail in documentation.

• Proven track record of driving research projects to completion.

Application Process :

A cover letter is required for this position and must be attached for your application to be considered

Compensation, Benefits and Position Details

Pay Range Minimum:

$61,920.00 annual

Pay Range Maximum:

$66,000.00 annual

Other Compensation:

-

Benefits:

For information about benefits for this position, visit

Shift:

First Shift (United States of America)

Temporary or Regular?

This is a regular position

FTE (Full-Time Equivalent):

100.00%

About the UW

Working at the University of Washington provides a unique opportunity to change lives on our campuses, in our state and around the world.

UW employees bring their boundless energy, creative problem-solving skills and dedication to building stronger minds and a healthier world. In return, they enjoy outstanding benefits, opportunities for professional growth and the chance to work in an environment known for its diversity, intellectual excitement, artistic pursuits and natural beauty.

Our Commitment

The University of Washington is proud to be an affirmative action and equal opportunity employer ( . All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, age, protected veteran or disabled status, or genetic information.

To request disability accommodation in the application process, contact the Disability Services Office at ... or ... .

Applicants considered for this position will be required to disclose if they are the subject of any substantiated findings or current investigations related to sexual misconduct at their current employment and past employment. Disclosure is required under Washington state law ( .

University of Washington is an affirmative action and equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to, among other things, race, religion, color, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, sex, age, protected veteran or disabled status, or genetic information.