Research Scientist/Engineer Assistant - Department of Global Health (Temporary)

University of Washington Medical Center•Seattle, WA

2d•$52,692 - $57,000•Onsite

About The Position

The Department of Global Health is hiring a Research Scientist/Engineer Assistant to support the UW Neisseria Reference Laboratory. The role conducts culture-based surveillance of Neisseria gonorrhoeae, including species identification and antimicrobial susceptibility testing using standardized laboratory methods, and performs molecular detection and characterization of sexually transmitted infection (STI) pathogens using PCR, sequencing, and automated diagnostic platforms. The position also supports laboratory operations, quality assurance, continuous improvement, and collaborative activities to ensure accurate and efficient testing. The role is based at the Ninth and Jefferson Building on the Harborview Campus. The laboratory collaborates with the CDC, Washington State Public Health Laboratory, Washington State Department of Health, and STD clinics in U.S. cities to monitor gonococcal antimicrobial susceptibility trends and provide quality-assured data to inform CDC treatment recommendations. The position also contributes to research on STI diagnostics, commensal bacteria as potential reservoirs of antimicrobial resistance transferable to Neisseria gonorrhoeae, and host-pathogen interactions underlying gonococcal infections. This is a temporary, 100% FTE position for 9–12 months, depending on project length. The role has a critical/essential staff designation and requires reporting to work when scheduled despite inclement weather. Work hours may extend into the evening when specimen processing or research deadlines require it, and work outside the standard work week may occasionally be required. The listed annual pay range is $52,692–$57,000.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Microbiology or another scientific field, such as Molecular Biology or Biochemistry, and less than one year of relevant experience; equivalent education and/or experience may substitute where permitted.
Working knowledge of general laboratory procedures and protocols.
Ability to work independently and proactively communicate research progress and laboratory management matters to the supervisor and collaborators.
High degree of organization and meticulousness.
Ability to take responsibility.
Ability to work well with other laboratory staff.
Willingness to train in antimicrobial susceptibility testing and meet the specified proficiency-testing requirements.
Flexibility in work hours, including occasional evening work and work outside the standard work week.
Ability to report to work when scheduled despite inclement weather.

Nice To Haves

Evidence of outstanding scholarship in undergraduate microbiology and other science courses.
Excellent molecular biology laboratory skills.
Expertise in Gram staining, microscopy, qPCR, nucleic acid amplification testing, cell culture, and microscopy.
Experience with antimicrobial susceptibility testing by Etest and/or agar dilution.
Experience performing APTIMA nucleic acid amplification testing.
Experience with PCR testing methods and sequencing technologies.
Good laboratory practice (GLP) skills.
Experience working in a clinical or research environment.
Bacteriology and molecular biology research experience.
Research experience with real-time PCR and traditional PCR techniques.
Professional, flexible, and hardworking approach, with strong attention to detail and the ability to organize and maintain accurate records.

Responsibilities

Conduct Neisseria gonorrhoeae culture and antimicrobial susceptibility testing by agar dilution and Etest following established protocols.
Perform species-confirmatory tests for Neisseria gonorrhoeae.
Participate in and support quality assessment and continuous laboratory improvement activities.
Participate in laboratory meetings and network with coworkers and collaborators.
Maintain the laboratory, including cleaning glassware, recording temperature logs and charts for laboratory equipment, preparing reagents and chemical solutions, organizing freezers, inventorying isolates, and shipping specimens.
Perform related duties as assigned.
Detect STI pathogens using the fully automated Hologic Panther System.
Purify high-molecular-weight genomic DNA for Next Generation Sequencing.
Perform PCR and sequence PCR products for strain subtyping and characterization of antibiotic resistance determinants.
Participate in diagnostic test validation and optimization of new test methods.
Process and analyze data using Excel and bioinformatics software.
Contribute data for publications or conference presentations.
Train for 3–6 weeks on antimicrobial susceptibility testing, demonstrate proficiency by testing panels of blind isolates twice per year, and participate in six other proficiency-testing events for laboratory molecular testing.
Support ongoing rigorous quality assessment and continuous laboratory improvement activities.