Analytical Methods and Instrumentation Scientist

About the role

The Institute for Protein Design (IPD) at the University of Washington is a world-leading research center focused on creating new proteins that solve challenges in medicine, technology, and sustainability. Founded by Nobel laureate David Baker, the IPD fosters a collaborative, interdisciplinary environment, bringing together expertise in computational design, biochemistry, genome sciences, and structural biology. Current projects include the development of novel therapeutics, vaccines, enzymes, and protein-based nanomaterials. Learn more at ipd.uw.edu.

Purpose Of The Research Project(s) This Position Supports The Analytical Methods and Instrumentation Scientist (Research Scientist/Engineer 3) will play a critical role in strengthening IPD’s analytical and purification capabilities. By developing reliable, general‑use methods for small‑molecule analysis, enzyme characterization, and chromatography workflows, this position directly supports a wide range of protein design and enzyme engineering projects. In addition to method development and data analysis, the RS3 provides extensive training for graduate students, postdocs, and other researchers across core instrumentation such as FPLC, HPLC, LC‑MS, and SPR systems. This work ensures that IPD scientists can generate high‑quality and reproducible data and builds long‑term technical capacity essential to IPD’s mission to design proteins that address global challenges.

Responsibilities

• Mentorship and Training (50%): Train and mentor graduate students, postdoctoral fellows, and other research staff in FPLC (AKTA), U/HPLC (Agilent), LC‑MS (Agilent), SPR (Cytiva), and related analytical techniques. Develop and maintain standard operating procedures for instrument operation, preventative maintenance, method execution, troubleshooting, and data analysis. Provide ongoing scientific and technical guidance to help trainees build long‑term competency in analytical workflows and instrument care.
• Analytical Method Development and Data Analysis (35%): Develop, optimize, and validate analytical and purification methods for small molecule analysis, enzyme characterization, and chromatography workflows using FPLC (AKTA), U/HPLC (Agilent), LC‑MS (Agilent), SPR (Cytiva), and related analytical systems. Perform data analysis to improve sensitivity, reproducibility, and throughput across IPD analytical pipelines. Create general‑use protocols and reference datasets that support consistent and reproducible use of core instrumentation. Collaborate with researchers to refine methods that support small molecule, protein and enzyme design and contribute to the interpretation of analytical results.
• Instrumentation Oversight (15%): Manage and maintain IPD instrumentation including FPLC (AKTA), U/HPLC (Agilent), LC‑MS (Agilent), SPR (Cytiva), and related analytical systems and other core analytical equipment. Coordinate routine maintenance schedules and ensure instruments remain reliable and ready for high‑throughput use. Monitor instrument performance, identify emerging issues, and implement improvements that support IPD research needs. Support IPD researchers by ensuring equitable access to instrumentation and by maintaining clear documentation of instrument status and usage expectations. Collaborate with IPD Lab Management to review emerging technologies and guide the adoption of new capabilities that strengthen IPD’s analytical and purification infrastructure.

Requirements

• Minimum Requirements: Bachelor's degree in Biochemistry, Biology, Physics or related field and four years of experience with small‑molecule analytical techniques.
• Additional Requirements: Hands‑on experience with small‑molecule analytical techniques, including method development, optimization, and validation across diverse analytes; Proficiency with U/HPLC (Agilent) systems, including routine maintenance, troubleshooting, and advanced method setup; Experience operating and supporting LC‑MS (Agilent) instruments, including data acquisition, analysis, and interpretation; Strong understanding of chromatography principles and purification strategies using FPLC systems such as ÄKTA; Familiarity with SPR (Cytiva) instrumentation and associated analytical workflows; Demonstrated ability to develop general‑use protocols, SOPs, and reference datasets that improve reproducibility and accessibility for trainees; Proven experience mentoring and training trainees, including graduate students, postdoctoral fellows, and staff, in analytical techniques and instrumentation use; Strong scientific and technical problem‑solving skills, including diagnosing mechanical, fluidic, electronic, and software issues across multiple instrument platforms and working with technical support to request service visits as needed; Ability to manage multiple analytical projects simultaneously while maintaining high standards of data quality and instrument reliability.

Qualifications

• Desired: Doctorate degree in chemistry, biochemistry, chemical engineering, or a related field.
• 4 years of relevant experience in analytical chemistry or instrumentation support.
• Experience developing and optimizing small‑molecule analytical methods, including complex assay design and