Research Scientist/Engineer 2

University of Washington Medical Center•Seattle, WA

2d•$69,600 - $96,000•Onsite

About The Position

The Institute for Protein Design has an outstanding opportunity for Research Scientist/Engineer 2 to join their team. About this Opportunity As a member of the IPD Core R&D Labs, you will make important research contributions that accelerate progress in protein design. These teams develop new research methods, collect experimental data, and help interpret results. These activities are performed in collaboration with other scientists at the Institute for Protein Design or its collaborators; they are not available for external contract work. Peptide Core is seeking a RSE2 to join a Core focused on producing synthetic peptides to continuously support many projects in parallel at the IPD, such as biologic therapeutics, phosphopeptide synthesis and characterization, difunctional fluorescent peptides, and peptide materials. The Peptide Core also characterizes de novo proteins through intact protein mass spectrometry and returns valuable data analysis and quality control in a rapid fashion to the IPD. The successful candidate would work closely with IPD scientists to design, synthesize, troubleshoot, and analyze complex peptides and functional molecules. We are seeking a scientist with strong skills in critical thinking, troubleshooting, and a willingness to work in a fast-paced environment. A working knowledge of organic chemistry, bioconjugation, and protein biochemistry is required to effectively perform this role.

Requirements

Bachelor's Degree in Biochemistry, Chemistry or related field and 2 years of relevant experience in modern peptide synthesis techniques, purification and analysis.
Equivalent education and/or experience may substitute for minimum qualifications except when there are legal requirements, such as a license, certification, and/or registration.
Strong communication and organization skills and great attention to detail
A willingness to acquire new skills and learn on the job.
Proficient in modern peptide synthesis techniques, purification and analysis

Nice To Haves

At least three years of full-time laboratory experience
Proficient with peptide chemistry and/or synthetic chemistry and/or medicinal chemistry
Experience with lab instrument use and upkeep of: peptide synthesizers (CEM, Gyros), lyophilizers (SP, Labcon), rotovaps (Buchi), LC/MS (Agilent), HPLCs (Agilent)

Responsibilities

Work with other Core R&D Lab members to accomplish research goals focused on peptide design and characterization.
Produce a wide variety of synthetic peptides and “peptide-like” compounds utilizing solid-phase peptide synthesis (SPPS) with standard peptide chemistry techniques and using automated peptide synthesizers.
Design and carry out multi-step syntheses utilizing organic chemistry techniques such as TLC, rotovap, flash chromatography, air-free techniques, and NMR.
Optimize existing standard operating procedures for yield, efficiency, and throughput of peptides.
Explore strategies to improve the throughput and quality of peptide synthesis pipelines.
Document protocols run in the wet lab
Review, analyze, and troubleshoot all experimental results
Training IPD researchers on Core-specific workflow for peptide synthesis and purification.
Work directly with Principal Investigators, postdoctoral fellows, graduate students, and laboratory staff in assisting with and conducting experiments.
Perform routine data analysis of de novo proteins utilizing intact protein mass spectrometry
Maintain and troubleshoot LC/MS instrumentation (Agilent)
Develop and implement new methods as called for optimization of intact protein mixtures, antibodies
Process and deconvolute results via software such as Agilent BioConfirm and PMI-Byos
Work directly with researchers–postdoctoral fellows, graduate students, and laboratory staff–in communication of troubleshooting and results
Preparation and maintenance of standard laboratory stocks and reagents necessary to research workflow
Maintain inventory for all chemicals, supplies, reagents, and biological samples
Maintain and troubleshoot laboratory equipment, including prep-scale HPLCs (Agilent), peptide synthesizers (CEM, Gyros), flash chromatography system (Biotage), and lyophilizers (Labcon)
Work with Laboratory Manager to assist with laboratory-wide EH&S compliance
Assist with managing undergraduate research assistants.
Present scientific data, attend meetings and team building events.