Research Scientist/Engineer 1

University of Washington•Seattle, WA

About The Position

The Department of Medicine, Division of Metabolism, Endocrinology and Nutrition has an outstanding opportunity for a Research Scientist/Engineer 1. This position supports experiments performed in the Capozzi Laboratory using rodent models to investigate the effects of nutrition on diabetes. This position supports Metabolic disease research such as diabetes and steatotic liver disease. The Capozzi laboratory seeks to understand how hormones control nutrient metabolism in health and metabolic disease. Research Sponsors/Stakeholders: NIH, UW

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in biology, physiology or a related and one year of relevant experience. Equivalent education and/or experience may substitute for minimum qualifications except when there are legal requirements, such as a license, certification, and/or registration.
Familiarity with metabolic research in rodent models, with specific knowledge of glucagon and incretin actions in various tissues
Skilled in relevant survival surgery techniques, including 5/6 nephrectomy
Previous rodent handling, treatment administration, retro-orbital injection, and mouse colony maintenance experience
Experience in performing ELISA, western blotting, Luminex-based multiplex assays, and gene expression analysis
Ability to isolate primary cells from tissues, including pancreatic islets and hepatocytes
Good organizational skills and ability to work as a team member and take on responsibility
Ability to work independently and cooperatively with others including fellows, students, and staff
Willingness and ability to perform rodent experiments
Willingness to learn new tasks and adapt to changing lab needs
Dedication to maintaining a safe and inclusive work environment

Nice To Haves

Up to 3 years previous wet-lab research experience
Advanced understanding of metabolic regulation and hormone signaling pathways, particularly glucagon and incretin biology, in rodent models
Experience designing and interpreting complex in vivo experiments, including metabolic phenotyping
Experience performing advanced rodent surgical procedures and post-operative care beyond standard survival surgeries
Strong ability to analyze and interpret experimental data independently and contribute to manuscript preparation
Proven ability to manage multiple projects, prioritize tasks, and maintain meticulous records

Responsibilities

Perform daily care and handling of laboratory rodents, including feeding, monitoring health, and ensuring proper housing conditions.
Maintain and monitor mouse colonies, including breeding, genotyping, and weaning as required.
Design and conduct experiments in rodent models to study nutrition and diabetes, performing surgical procedures as appropriate.
Set up experimental protocols, administer treatments, and collect biological samples.
Perform laboratory techniques such as western blotting, PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction), and ELISAs (Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assays). Ensure accurate execution and troubleshooting of these procedures.
Analyze experimental data using appropriate statistical methods and generate figures for presentations and publications.
Communicate experiment findings and progress regularly with the Principal Investigator (PI) and research team through daily or weekly meetings as needed.
Read and review relevant scientific literature to stay informed about current research trends and methodologies related to nutrition and diabetes. Incorporate new knowledge into experimental design and techniques.
Provide an overview of the current research projects, objectives, and the specific role of the new personnel within these projects.
Mentor and train undergraduate research assistants or new lab personnel in laboratory techniques, safety protocols, and experimental procedures.
Provide guidance and support to ensure successful onboarding and skill development.
Conduct hands-on training sessions to demonstrate and practice essential laboratory techniques such as pipetting, sample preparation, and equipment operation.
Train new personnel on the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for various experiments and lab tasks, ensuring they understand and can execute these procedures accurately.
Educate new personnel on laboratory safety protocols, including the proper use of personal protective equipment (PPE), emergency procedures, and safe handling of chemicals and biological materials.
Ensure that all lab members adhere to institutional and regulatory safety standards, conducting regular safety audits and refresher training sessions as necessary.
Guide new personnel through the experimental protocols used in current research projects, ensuring they understand the objectives, procedures, and expected outcomes.
Oversee initial experimental tasks performed by new personnel, providing immediate feedback and troubleshooting support to ensure accurate and reliable results.
Assist in maintaining a clean and organized laboratory environment. Ensure that all work areas, equipment, and supplies are properly cleaned and stored.
Participate in regular laboratory meetings to discuss research progress, share insights, and contribute to team discussions. Prepare and present findings as needed.
Perform other duties as assigned by the PI or designated assignee, which may include organizing lab supplies, purchasing, and facilitating the maintenance of lab equipment.