Staff Scientist - T Cell Immunologist HVTN

Cures Start Here. At Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, home to three Nobel laureates, interdisciplinary teams of world-renowned scientists seek new and innovative ways to prevent, diagnose and treat cancer, HIV/AIDS and other life-threatening diseases. Fred Hutch’s pioneering work in bone marrow transplantation led to the development of immunotherapy, which harnesses the power of the immune system to treat cancer. An independent, nonprofit research institute based in Seattle, Fred Hutch houses the nation’s first cancer prevention research program, as well as the clinical coordinating center of the Women’s Health Initiative and the international headquarters of the HIV Vaccine Trials Network. Careers Start Here.

At Fred Hutch, we believe that the innovation, collaboration, and rigor that result from diversity and inclusion are critical to our mission of eliminating cancer and related diseases. We seek employees who bring different and innovative ways of seeing the world and solving problems. Fred Hutch is in pursuit of becoming an antiracist organization. We are committed to ensuring that all candidates hired share our commitment to diversity, antiracism, and inclusion.

The Fred Hutch offers a vibrant intellectual environment within a beautiful lakeside campus in Seattle’s South Lake Union biotech hub. The Fred Hutch campus contains five major research buildings along with the Seattle Cancer Care Alliance and is in close proximity to major research partners such as the University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle Children’s Research Institute and the Allen Institute for Immunology.

The HIV Vaccine Trials Network (HVTN) Laboratory (led by Julie McElrath, PI and Director) in the Immunology & Vaccine Development Program of the Vaccine & Infectious Disease Division (VIDD) is dedicated to understanding human immune responses and mechanisms of vaccine-induced immune protection against HIV, SARS-CoV-2 and other infectious diseases, such as malaria, Ebola and tuberculosis. The laboratory conducts cutting-edge research with high impact globally providing data that informs vaccine development and immune correlates of vaccine-induced protection. The Fred Hutch laboratory is one component of the HVTN Laboratory Center including highly collaborative laboratories at Duke University and in South Africa. 

Responsibilities

The Staff Scientist will lead studies of human T cell immunity in the HVTN R&D and Endpoints laboratories, a good clinical laboratory practices (GCLP) laboratory.  The laboratory is focused on evaluation of cellular immune responses to HIV and SARS-CoV-2 investigational vaccines and infection. The Staff Scientist will lead, train and mentor a team, design experiments and studies, and review and analyze data.  

Reporting to the HVTN Laboratory Associate Directors, the Scientist will coordinate and carry out activities including, but not limited to:

• Manage the HVTN Endpoints Laboratory:
  • Lead standardized immune assays focused on multiparameter flow cytometry and ICS (intracellular cytokine staining); and other related assays as needed: IFN-g ELISpot, multiplex cytokine secretion assays, cytotoxicity, viral inhibition, TCR sequencing or other assays as relevant
  • Train, mentor, and supervise research technicians, students, and staff
  • Coordinate analysis of data, sometimes with tight timelines to inform Go/No go clinical trial decisions and for scientific publications
  • Establish new technologies in the lab
  • Prepare progress reports and other written documents
• Interface with collaborating researchers:
  • Participate in both formal and informal sharing of data amongst collaborating researchers
  • Coordinate with statistical groups and internal and external stakeholders, including vaccine developers, clinicians, funders and statisticians
  • Contribute to grant applications and manuscripts
  • Present data at meetings and conferences

• Assist with clinical vaccine trial operations:
  • Participate in HVTN processes to develop new clinical trials and coordinate specimen analyses
• Other duties and projects as assigned

Qualifications

• PhD in Immunology (or a related field), or M.D., and experience with multiparameter flow cytometry required
• Experience in infectious diseases or human immunology is highly desired
• Knowledge of clinical trials and/or GCLP/GLP experience is preferred
• Proficiency in the relevant computer programs is needed: FlowJo and/or other flow analysis program, Prism, JMP, Excel, and/or R statistical analysis program, and
• Illustrator or other drawing program.
• Excellent communication (oral and written) and problem-solving skills are required
• Motivation and adaptability are essential, as is a keen interest in the vaccine or infectious disease fields
• Duties will require working in a team-oriented research environment and in serving in a supervisory capacity. A strong background in collaborative team leadership, positive communication and project completion is preferred
• Special qualifications: willingness to work with biohazardous materials (e.g., HIV-1), required
• Hours: Must be flexible, able to work some nights and weekends

A statement describing your commitment and contributions toward greater diversity, equity, inclusion, and anti-racism in your career or that will be made through your work at Fred Hutch is requested of all finalists.

Our Commitment to Diversity

We are proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) and Vietnam Era Veterans Readjustment Assistance Act (VEVRAA) Employer. We are committed to cultivating a workplace in which diverse perspectives and experiences are welcomed and respected. 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 are an Affirmative Action employer. We encourage individuals with diverse backgrounds to apply and 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 our Employee Services Center at hrops@fredhutch.org or by calling 206-667-4700.