Research Technician I/II

Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center•Seattle, WA

5d•Onsite

About The Position

The Research Technician I/II supports Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center’s Science Education Partnership (SEP) Kit Loan Program, which provides educational materials and equipment to Washington State secondary science teachers and serves more than 15,000 students annually. The role provides service to teachers and students by preparing and restocking classroom kits, preparing and aliquoting laboratory reagents and media, performing calculations and quality-control checks, operating analytical instruments, and troubleshooting laboratory issues. The position also supports SEP programming through administrative work, curriculum development, and science education activities. It is a full-time, on-site role reporting to the Lab Manager, SEP. Candidates should be detail-oriented, interested in science education, and able to apply laboratory experience and scientific knowledge in support of science teachers. A cover letter is required with the application.

Requirements

Research Technician I: Bachelor’s degree in a related scientific field or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
Research Technician I: Demonstrated scientific knowledge in the area of study.
Research Technician I: Demonstrated basic laboratory skills.
Research Technician II: Bachelor’s degree in a related scientific field or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
Research Technician II: Two years of experience working in a laboratory outside of school coursework.
Submit a cover letter with the application.

Nice To Haves

Highly organized with keen attention to detail.
Ability to follow directions with fidelity, ask for clarification when needed, and work independently.
Ability to prioritize shifting demands.
Punctual and reliable, with strong time-management skills.
Experience preparing reagents, including comfort with routine mathematical calculations such as concentrations and understanding orders of magnitude and unit conversion.
Understanding of scientific practices and experimental design, including the role of controls.
Strong scientific reasoning and troubleshooting skills.
Effective communication skills, including strong writing skills.
Client or customer service experience and strong customer service skills.
Molecular biology laboratory experience, including precise handling of reagents, micropipetting, gel electrophoresis, PCR, bacterial transformation, or plasmid preparation.
College coursework in biology and chemistry with quantitative analytical skills.
Experience with inventory tracking.
Commitment to supporting science education.

Responsibilities

Pack, unpack, inspect, and inventory kit items and supplies.
Prepare and precisely aliquot laboratory reagents, including media, plasmids, DNA markers, and E. coli slants, and maintain backup stocks.
Perform quality-control tests, help identify protocol problems, and consult with the Lab Manager on modifications to optimize results.
Troubleshoot laboratory protocols and conduct literature reviews to help determine suitable methods.
Prepare and present written or oral progress reports, including assembling, organizing, and interpreting data.
Perform minor maintenance and repair of laboratory apparatus and instruments.
Maintain laboratory cleanliness and organization.
Assist with teacher-kit scheduling, kit tracking, and data entry in the Airtable database.
Provide technical support for the SEP inventory system.
Contribute to SEP external communications, including email, newsletters, and social media.
Assist with other SEP administrative tasks, such as data entry, data collection, and mailing.
Assist with improvements to the Kit Loan Program and may be responsible for individual projects.
Work with the SEP team to develop and publish curricula, including contributing ideas, creating and troubleshooting classroom protocols, drafting student and teacher resources, proofreading, and editing.
Create new protocols and troubleshoot their effectiveness for classroom use.
Participate in delivering Science Education programming.
Under the supervision of Science Education staff, train undergraduate or high school student interns or consultants.
Perform other duties as assigned.