Title: Laboratory Technician
Job Class: Part-time (20 hours/week); Hourly/Non-Exempt $20-22/hour DOE
PI/Reports To: Dr. Marie Davis

Summary:

A 50% part time laboratory technician position is available in the Davis Laboratory at the VA Puget Sound Healthcare System. We are seeking a laboratory technician to perform experimental work with both Drosophila and tissue culture neurodegenerative models.

The Davis lab is interested in understanding the cellular mechanisms underlying Parkinson s disease and neurodegeneration in order to identify novel therapeutic targets. To do this we use Drosophila model systems and human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) from patients harboring genetic risk variants. We are currently using a Drosophila model of glucocerebrosidase (GBA) deficiency, as mutations in GBA increase risk for developing PD and rate of disease progression, as well neurons and astrocytes differentiated from iPSCs from PD patients carrying GBA mutations. We are also developing Drosophila and iPSC models of X-linked Parkinson s disease due to a mutation in Rab39b. We are investigating how mutations in GBA and Rab39b influence endolysosomal trafficking, extracellular vesicle biogenesis and lipid metabolism. We are also examining how GBA mutations may be accelerating propagation of pathogenic proteins, and disrupting possible neuroprotective functions in glia. Our lab applies a combination of stem cell biology, neurobiology, genetics, biochemistry and microscopy using both Drosophila models and human iPSCs-derived neural and glial cell culture models.

Drosophila work would include maintaining stocks, performing crosses, analyzing tissues by Western blot, PCR and qPCR, immunohistochemistry and confocal microscopy. Tissue culture work would include characterizing iPSCs, differentiating iPSCs into neuronal and glial cells, isolating extracellular vesicles from conditioned cell culture media, analyzing cells and extracellular vesicles by Western blot, immunohistochemistry and microscopy, PCR, quantitative PCR, FACS analysis and possibility of helping analyze proteomics, lipidomics, and RNAseq datasets.

Knowledge/Necessary Skills:

• Strong problem solving skills
• Knowledge of genetics and neurobiology
• Effective communication and scientific writing and presenting skills
• Good organization skills for managing day to day lab operations

Desirable Experience/Skills:

• Experimental models of neurodegeneration in Drosophila and cell culture, particularly iPSC-derived neurons and/or glia
• Immunohistochemistry and confocal microscopy
• Isolating and characterizing extracellular vesicles
• Western blot
• Familiarity with Drosophila husbandry
• Competence in molecular cloning
• Computational analysis skills
• Good scientific writing and presentation skills

Requirements:

Must be authorized to work in the US. have previous experience in laboratory research, preferably with Drosophila and human iPSC-derived neuronal and glial cell culture, have an undergraduate degree, and have the ability to fulfill responsibilities listed below.

How to apply: Please complete online application and upload a cover letter and resume.

Diversity enriches research and promotes the best healthcare. We are committed to building and sustaining an equitable and inclusive environment. We encourage individuals whose backgrounds or interests align with this commitment, as well as individuals from all backgrounds that are underrepresented in research, to apply.

Currently, only US Citizens, Permanent Residents, Green Card holders with proper work documents and F-type Visa holders may apply.

SIBCR Benefits:

SIBCR Pays 100% (less $90/month) for Employees and 75% of Dependent Premiums per month.

Offered to all employees working 20+ hours per week on a regular basis:

• Medical and Prescription Insurance
• Dental Insurance
• Vision Insurance
• Life Insurance, Short Term Disability and Long Term Disability
• Employee Assistance Program
• 403(b) Retirement Plan with pre-tax and Roth options with Matching Contribution (up to 2.5%) plus Non-Match Contribution of 5%
• Sick Leave - accrues at 1 hour for 20 paid hours
• Vacation Leave - accrues at 1 hour for 20 paid hours
• 11 Paid Holidays + one personal holiday
• ORCA transportation pass at a nominal monthly fee
• Other mandated leave such as FMLA and WA PFML
• Voluntary Benefits include Flexible Spending Account, AFLAC, Pet Insurance, Voluntary Term Life

No other types of compensation offered at this time

Equal Employment Opportunity Policy:
The Seattle Institute for Biomedical and Clinical Research does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy), gender identity or status as transgender, national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, retaliation, parental status, military service, or other non-merit factor protected by federal, state or local law.