Shared Resources Specialist I - Biospecimen Processing and Biorepository

Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center; Seattle (WA); On-site; USD 41,000 - 58,000; Full time

Job summary

Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center in Seattle is seeking a Shared Resources Specialist I to support BPB researchers by processing biospecimens, operating analytical instruments, and compiling research data. This entry‑level role emphasizes bench work, protocol learning, and accuracy in documentation.

You will help maintain reagents, coordinate equipment maintenance, train users, and assist with study projects within a collaborative, mission‑driven lab.

Qualifications

• MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: Bachelor’s degree in Biology, Microbiology, Biochemistry, or related field; or Associate degree with 1+ years experience; or GED/HS diploma with 3+ years experience.
• PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS: ability to learn protocols, operate specimen processing and repository equipment, understand biosafety requirements, strong communication and organizational skills, team collaboration, MS Office proficiency.
• Experience with record-keeping and databank management.

Responsibilities

• Research support including bench work and processing biospecimens for PBMC, plasma and nucleic acids.
• Prepare and maintain laboratory reagents and stocks; assist in protocol development and study coordination.
• Coordinate maintenance of equipment; assist with supply management and basic billing; train users and supervise interns.

Skills

Excellent communication

Collaborative

Organizational skills

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Biology/Microbiology/Biochemistry or related field

Associate degree + 1+ years experience

GED/ HS diploma + 3+ years experience

Tools

MS Office (Outlook, Word, Excel, SharePoint, Teams)

Laboratory equipment operation

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.

TheShared ResourcesSpecialist Iis responsible forsupportingscientificneeds of researchers at Fred Hutchusing Biospecimen ProcessingandBiorepository(BPB)sharedresource.This role involvesassistingscientific researchers withperforming bench-level experiments,processing biospecimens,operatinganalytical instruments, compiling research data; performing calculations; preparing charts,graphsand summaries, entering laboratory data in database.This is an entry level position within theShared Resourcesdepartmentwith substantial room for growth.

At Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, all employees are expected todemonstratea commitment toour values of collaboration, compassion, determination, excellence, innovation, integrity, and respect.

Responsibilities

Research Support:

• Involves research support that ismainly SOP- directed,ensuring the Specialist develops a strong understanding of the fundamental science performed in BPB.
• Performbench work as assignedincluding processing biospecimen from various sources for isolation and preservation of PBMC, plasma and others;DNA and RNA extraction from research samples such as whole blood, FFPE, and
• cell or tissue samples;Cell culturing including B cell transformation;Mycoplasma testing and sample quantification and testing.
• Preparesandmaintainslaboratoryreagents andstocks.
• Will learn and perform new technical skills, such as processing protocol development and coordinatestudy projects.

Research development:

• Establish andmaintainpositive, collaborative working relationships withfaculty and external users toidentifyscientific needs.

Equipment Oversight:

• Perform basic equipment operation and maintenance.
• Learn to coordinate and complete maintenance on some equipment and use relevant software.
• Potentially review andidentifynew equipment needs.
• Assistin supplymanagement.

Training and Education:

• Assistin developingandmodifyinglab protocols, training materials, andspecimen handlingguidelines for investigators.
• Learn to train usersin sample preparation and submissionandassistwith experimental setup.
• May supervise work-studystudents,internsand lab aids.

Administrative tasks:

• Report or deliver results to users.
• Accurately document laboratory activities.
• Perform basic billing requirements.
• Provide regulatory and compliance support for this shared resource.

Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s degree in the field of education: Biology, Microbiology, Biochemistry, or related fields; Or
• Associate degree and 1+ years of experience; Or
• GED/ High School Diploma and 3+ years of experience.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Demonstrated ability to learn and adapt to newprotocolsand techniques
• Ability to learn and operate all specimen processing and repository equipment. Previous experience in operation andmaintenance of relevant equipment.
• Understanding ofthe biosafety requirements related to biospecimen and lab environment.
• Excellentcommunication skills and organizational skills.
• Ability to work in acollaborativeteam-oriented, shared resources labenvironment.
• Experience with MS Office suite of applications (Outlook, Word, Excel,SharePoint, Teams, One Drive,etc).
• Record keeping and databasemanagement.
• Full understanding of the biosafety requirements related to biospecimen and lab environment.

The hourly pay range for this position is from $29.77 to $42.39 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), and 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.