Research Technician I/II

Fred Hutch Cancer Center; Seattle (WA); On-site; USD 42,000 - 56,000; Full time

Job summary

Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center is seeking a Research Technician I/II to support the Science Education Partnership (SEP) Kit Loan Program. You will pack and restock classroom kits, aliquot reagents, perform quality control, operate instruments, and assist with SEP administrative tasks and data management.

Ideal candidates are detail-oriented with a passion for science education and an interest in applying lab experience to support teachers across Washington State.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in related scientific field or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Demonstrated scientific knowledge in the area of study.
• Demonstrated basic laboratory skills.

Responsibilities

• Pack, unpack, inspect, and inventory kit items.
• Prepare and precisely aliquot lab reagents and media; maintain backups.
• Perform quality control tests; adjust protocols under supervision.

Skills

Lab skills

Scientific knowledge

Education

Bachelor's degree in related field

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 Research Technician I/II, Science Education Partnership (SEP) is essential for the success of the SEP Kit Loan Program. SEP has a 35+ year history of providing professional development and educational materials/equipment to Washington State secondary science teachers and currently offers just over 100 educational kits of 33 different types-serving over 15,000 students annually across the state.

The Research Technician is responsible for providing quality service to our teacher and student community by packing and restocking classroom-bound kits and supplies, preparing and precisely aliquoting lab reagents and media, performing calculations and quality control checks, operating analytical instruments, and troubleshooting lab issues. The SEP Research Technician will also perform administrative tasks in support of Science Education programming.

This is a full-time, on-site position that reports to the Lab Manager, SEP. Ideal candidates will be highly detail-oriented, have a passion for science education and an interest in utilizing their lab experience and scientific knowledge to support science teachers across Washington.

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.

Responsibilities

Kit and Materials Preparation, Lab Support:

• Pack, unpack, inspect, and inventory kit items
• Prepare and precisely aliquot lab reagents (media, plasmids, DNA markers, E. coli slants, etc.), maintain backup stocks.
• Perform quality control tests, help identify problems in protocols and in consultation with the Lab Manager, implement modifications to optimize results.
• Troubleshoot existing lab protocols when needed; conduct literature reviews to assist in determining most suitable methods to be used in protocols.
• Prepare and present written or oral progress reports, including assembly, organization, and interpretation of data.
• Perform minor maintenance and repair of laboratory apparatus and instruments.
• Maintain lab cleanliness and organization.

Data Entry and Administrative Tasks:

• Assist with teacher-kit scheduling, kit tracking, and data entry in our Airtable database.
• Provide technical support for the SEP inventory system.
• Contribute to the design and delivery of SEP's external communications, including email, newsletter and social media.
• Assist the SEP team with other administrative tasks (ex: data entry/collection, mailing etc.).

Curriculum and Education Support:

• Assist with improvements to the Kit Loan Program; may be responsible for the performance of individual projects.
• In conjunction with the SEP team, assist in the publication of new curricula by contributing ideas, creating and troubleshooting new protocols for classroom use, drafting student and teacher written resources, proofreading, editing.
• Create new protocols and troubleshoot their effectiveness for classroom use.
• Participate in delivering Science Education programming.

Training and Supporting Kit Interns and consultants:

• Under the supervision of Science Education staff, train new undergraduate or high school student interns, or consultants.
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: Research Technician I:

• Bachelor's degree in related scientific field or equivalent combination of education and experience
• Demonstrated scientific knowledge in the area of study
• Demonstrated basic laboratory skills

Research Technician II:

• Bachelor's degree in related scientific field o