Cell Therapy Specialist I

Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center; Seattle (WA); On-site; USD 55,000 - 82,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Retirement plan

Paid vacation

Paid holidays

Tuition reimbursement

Job summary

Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center in Seattle seeks a Cellular Therapy Lab technician to process cellular products for clinical trials, perform quality control, and document procedures. The role requires a four-year biology degree, hematology knowledge, and strong data interpretation.

Flexibility for night/weekend shifts and collaboration across functions is essential. Responsibilities include SOP-based processing, nucleated cell counts, and CD34+ enrichment or CAR-T workflows.

Qualifications

• Four-year college degree in biological science or related field.
• Basic hematology knowledge.
• Motivation to learn new scientific theory and applications.
• Mature judgment and ability to work independently with moderate supervision.
• Proven team player with strong communication across functions.
• Strong data interpretation and mathematical skills.
• Attention to detail and flexible scheduling including nights/weekends/holidays.
• Ability to differentiate colors and pass color vision screening.

Responsibilities

• Process cellular products per SOP for clinical trials using aseptic technique.
• Perform quality control testing including automated nucleated cell counts and flow cytometry.
• Document steps, generate reports, and maintain patient/donor charts.
• Review SOPs and contribute to process improvements with Lab Supervisor.
• Thaw cryopreserved components and assist with patient bedside infusion.
• Coordinate with URD component couriers and perform necessary testing before release.
• Assist with bone marrow collection in operating rooms if needed.
• Support clinical trials processing (e.g., CD34+ selection, CAR-T processing).

Skills

Hematology basics

Data interpretation

Attention to detail

Communication skills

Color vision

Education

Bachelor's degree in biological sciences

Advanced degree in lab science (preferred)

Tools

Flow cytometry

CliniMACS

LabWare LIMS

Job description

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, immunotherapy 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 make us stronger. We seek employees who bring different and innovative ways of seeing the world and solving problems.

The Cellular Therapy Lab (CTL) at the Fred Hutch Cancer Center is on the cutting edge of new technologies for cancer therapy, including cell-based immunotherapy. We are committed to advancing treatment options for our patients through the translation of innovative research into clinical practice. We collaborate with our consortium partners (University of Washington and Seattle Children's Hospital) as well as industry (biotechnology) and non-industry external entities.

CTL is responsible for all minimally manipulated therapeutic cell processing occurring at Fred Hutch. Procedures range from cryopreservation to flow cytometric enumeration of cell proportions to more complex procedures such as cell selection, enrichment, and depletion. The laboratory is regulated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) cGTP/cGMP standards, maintains College of American Pathologists (CAP) certification, and is accredited by the Joint Commission and the Foundation for the Accreditation of Cellular Therapy (FACT).

At Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, all employees are expected to demonstrate a commitment to our values of collaboration, compassion, determination, excellence, innovation, integrity, and respect.

This position will be full-time, Monday-Friday from 11:30am-8pm. Flexibility is required as there could be night, weekend, and holiday rotations.

Responsibilities

• Process cellular products/specimens according to standard operating procedure (SOP), and specific guidance for clinical trials, using aseptic technique
• Perform and analyze results of quality control testing of components, including automated nucleated cell counts and flow cytometry
• Document processing steps accurately, generate processing reports and prepare patient/donor laboratory charts; review processing reports and charts
• Understand and stay current with SOPs as needed, and perform SOP qualifications. Provide input/feedback to Lab Supervisor on documentation and process improvements
• Thaw cryopreserved components and assist with infusion at the patient bedside
• Meet unrelated donor (URD) component couriers and perform necessary testing and processing of components prior to release
• Potentially assist with the bone marrow collection within operating rooms
• Perform clinical trials processing:
  • CliniMACS cell selection e.g. CD34+ cell enrichment, CD3+ cell depletion
  • CAR-T therapy processing and cryopreservation

Qualifications

Required:

• Four-year college degree with major in biological science or related degree
• Basic hematology knowledge
• Motivation and initiative to learn new scientific theory and applications
• Mature judgment
• Work independently with moderate supervision
• Proven team player
• Collaborate and communicate effectively across functions
• Interpret data thoroughly
• Strong trouble-shooting capabilities
• Scientific writing skills, including preparation of clear, concise SOPs and technical reports
• Strong math skills
• Strong communication skills
• Attention to detail
• Flexibility in scheduling: night, weekend, holiday and on-call rotations
• Must be able to differentiate between colors and pass a standardized color vision screen to perform this role

Preferred:

• Bachelor's degree in a chemical, biological, clinical or medical laboratory science, or medical technology from an accredited institution or a Bachelor's degree and equivalent education and training as defined in 42CFR493.1489(b)(3)(ii). Meets the CLIA education requirements for a high complexity testing
• Advanced knowledge of oncology, hematology and/or immunology
• Flow cytometry expertise
• Immunotherapy experience
• CliniMACS operation experience
• Surgical tech experience
• LabWare LIMS knowledge
• A good understanding of cGMP/cGTP standards
• Proven record of completing projects efficiently and effectively

The hourly pay range for this position is from $39.66 to $59.47 and pay offered will be based on experience and qualifications.Although Fred Hutch is not sponsoring most H-1B visas at this time, candidates who already hold an H-1B sponsored by another organization and are currently in the U.S. may be eligible for this position.Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center offers employees a comprehensive benefits package designed to enhance health, well-being, and financial security. Benefits include medical/vision, dental, flexible spending accounts, life, disability, retirement, family life support, employee assistance program, onsite health clinic, tuition reimbursement, paid vacation (12-22 days per year), paid sick leave (12-25 days per year), paid holidays (13 days per year), paid parental leave (up to 4 weeks).

Additional Information

We are proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) and Vietnam Era Veterans Readjustment Assistance Act (VEVRAA) Employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, ancestry, national origin, sex, age, disability (physical or mental), marital or veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity, political ideology, or membership in any other legally protected class. We desire priority referrals of protected veterans. If due to a disability you need assistance/and or a reasonable accommodation during the application or recruiting process, please send a request to Human Resources at [e-mail] or by calling 206-667-4700.