Research Associate I – Imaging & Experimental Biology

Allen Institute; Seattle (WA); On-site; USD 54,000 - 66,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision benefits

401k plan

Paid time off

Job summary

The Allen Institute in Seattle seeks two Research Associates to advance synthetic morphogenesis through cell culture, molecular biology, and high-content imaging. You will work on 3D multicellular stem cell cultures, contribute to team-driven experiments, and help share resources across programs.

Ideal candidates have a background in cell culture and microscopy, with strong attention to detail and teamwork. On-site duties and collaboration with hiPSCs are expected.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Biological Sciences, Bioengineering, or related field.
• Hands-on experience with cell culture.
• Experience with molecular biology is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Conduct fluorescence imaging experiments using spinning-disk confocal, lattice light-sheet, and other advanced microscopy platforms.
• Adhere to SOPs and workflows with meticulous documentation.
• Summarize and present data internally and externally as needed, via oral and written reports.
• Work closely with an interdisciplinary team and within a program/project management infrastructure to achieve project goals.
• Assist with quality-control testing of microscopes.
• Assist in cross-functional research activities involving various experimental and computational teams.
• Contribute to manuscript preparation efforts as a supplemental author.

Skills

Cell culture

Molecular biology

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Biological Sciences, Bioengineering, or related field

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 two Research Associates to contribute to their ambitious new 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.

We seek a motivated and versatile Research Associate with cell culture, molecular biology, and imaging experience for an interdisciplinary role at the forefront of synthetic morphogenesis. These roles will contribute to Cell Science programs that are developing synthetic approaches to control tissue growth and patterning. The team leverages spatial -omics and quantitative live-cell imaging to establish the landscape of cell state transitions during morphogenesis in 3D multicellular stem cell cultures. The successful candidates will collaborate within the team to perform experiments and analyses, 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

• Conduct fluorescence imaging experiments using spinning-disk confocal, lattice light-sheet, and other advanced microscopy platforms
• Adhere to SOPs and workflows with meticulous documentation
• Summarize and present data internally and externally as needed, via oral and written reports
• Work closely with an interdisciplinary team and within a program/project management infrastructure to achieve project goals
• Assist with quality-control testing of microscopes
• Assist in cross-functional research activities involving various experimental and computational teams
• Contribute to manuscript preparation efforts as a supplemental author
• Properly handle hazardous chemicals
• Working with hiPSCs
• 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

Preferred Education And Experience

• 1-2 years of experience in a research environment (academic or industry)
• Experience with human induced pluripotent stem cell culture
• Experience with molecular biology
• Hands-on experience using microscopy, live-cell imaging is a plus
• Experience with quantification of microscopic images
• Strong organizational skills and careful attention to details
• Experience working in a team based and/or multi-disciplinary environment in academic or industrial settings
• Excellent interpersonal skills

Work Environment

• Laboratory environment - possible chemical, biological, or laser exposure
• This may include wearing personnel protective equipment (PPE)
• Working with dry ice or liquid nitrogen
• Sample handling of the following material, including but not limited to: nucleic acids, and cells
• Warehouse spaces

Physical Demands

• Occasional lifting up to 10 pounds
• Fine motor movements in fingers/hands to operate computers and other office equipment; repetitive motion with lab equipment
• Stooping, bending, crouching
• Reaching or climbing ladders

Position Type/Expected Hours of Work

• This role is currently working onsite and is expected to work onsite for the majority of working hours. The primary work location for this role is 700 Dexter Ave N.

Additional Comments

• **Please note, this opportunity does not sponsor work visas**

Annualized Salary Range

• $54,250 - $66,450 *
• Final salary depends on the required education for the role, experience, level of skills relevant to the role, and work location, where applicable.

Benefits

• Employees (and their families) are eligible to enroll in benefits per eligibility rules outlined in the Allen Institute’s Benefits Guide. These benefits include medical, dental, vision, and basic life insurance. Employees are also eligible to enroll in the Allen Institute’s 401k plan. Paid time off is also available as outlined in the Allen Institutes Benefits Guide. Details on the Allen Institute’s benefits offering are located at the following link to the Benefits Guide: https://alleninstitute.org/careers/benefits.

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.