Research Associate I – Automation

Allen Institute; Seattle (WA); On-site; USD 65,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

The Allen Institute is recruiting a Research Associate to support the Cell Science accelerator. You will work with cell culture automation, automated imaging, and high-content analysis to prepare standardized samples for multiple imaging modalities.

You will operate automated systems, ensure high-quality data and images, and maintain careful records while collaborating with team members to integrate resources across programs.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Biological Sciences, Bioengineering, or a related degree required.
• Hands-on experience with cell culture required.
• Basic experience with automation preferred.

Responsibilities

• Operate an automated cell culture platform (Hamilton Star).
• Operate multiple confocal microscopes and high-content imagers.
• Provide and implement quality control of microscope systems and performance verification.
• Maintain meticulous records and coordinate with scientists to align activities.
• Adhere to SOPs, GLPs and regulatory requirements.

Skills

Cell culture

Automation experience

Microscopy imaging

Attention to detail

Team collaboration

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Biological Sciences or related

Tools

Hamilton Star automation

Confocal microscopes

High-content imagers

Python basics

Job description

The Allen Institute accelerates science for a healthier world through large-scale research designed to answer some of the most complex questions in biology. Our multi-disciplinary teams generate foundational knowledge, tools, and data to understand how our brain, cells, and immune system work. We share our work openly so others can build on it, move faster, and ask bigger questions. We drive discovery forward and create new possibilities for improving human health.

The goal of our Cell Science accelerator is to create the first holistic framework to predict how cells self-organize into complex cell communities and tissues in order to program an entirely new kind of synthetic tissue that can be used to ask focused questions about how cells behave, including in response to drug interventions.

The Cell Science accelerator at the Allen Institute is recruiting a Research Associate to contribute to their ambitious mission: to make multicellular behavior predictable and programmable. To achieve this goal, the Cell Science team draws from distinctive strengths in stem cell engineering, high-content imaging, image quantification, and data-driven machine learning to advance our understanding of cell states during morphogenesis.

This position interfaces with the cell imaging and automationteams for developing scalable, quantitative image-based assays of cell organization, activity and function and generating high-quality, reproducible images of hiPSCs forming 3D tissues. This Research Associate I position will focus on creating cell samples for imaging via operating automated robotic systems to ensure a consistent and standardized sample input for multiple imaging modalities. The Research Associate position will also contribute to microscopy image quality control acquisition and analysis, as well as fulfill other support functions within the team. The position requires attention to detail and an interest in collaborative team-based science, including maintaining meticulous records, coordination with other programs in the Institute to ensure seamless integration and sharing of resources and data, and adherence to SOPs.

At the Allen Institute, we believe that science is for everyone – and should be open to everyone. We are dedicated to combating biases and reducing barriers to STEM careers more broadly.

We also believe that science is better when it includes different perspectives and voices. We strive to make the Allen Institute a place where everyone feels like they belong and are empowered to do their best work in a supportive environment.

We are an equal-opportunity employer and strongly encourage people from all backgrounds to apply for our open positions.

Essential Functions

• Operate an automated cell culture platform (Hamilton Star)
• Operate multiple confocal microscopes and high-content imagers
• Provide and implement quality control of microscope systems (laser alignment verification, laser power measurement)
• Maintain meticulous records and work closely with other scientists to coordinate complex activities
• Coordinate with other programs in the Institute to ensure seamless integration and sharing of resources and data
• Adherence to SOPs, GLPs and regulatory requirements

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.

Required Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Biological Sciences, Bioengineering, or a related degree
• Hands-on experience with cell culture
• Basic experience with automation

Preferred Education and Experience

• 1-2 years of experience in a research environment (academic or industry)
• Experience working with cell culture automation
• Experience with any Hamilton-based automation system
• Hands-on experience using microscopy, live-cell imaging is a plus
• Basic experience with the Python programing language and Git hub repository