Research Scientist/Engineer 2

About the role

The Institute for Protein Design has an outstanding opportunity for Research Scientist/Engineer 2 to join their team. The Peptide Core is seeking a RSE2 to join a Core focused on producing synthetic peptides to continuously support many projects in parallel at the IPD, such as biologic therapeutics, phosphopeptide synthesis and characterization, difunctional fluorescent peptides, and peptide materials. The Peptide Core also characterizes de novo proteins through intact protein mass spectrometry and returns valuable data analysis and quality control in a rapid fashion to the IPD.

Key Responsibilities

• Work with other Core R&D Lab members to accomplish research goals focused on peptide design and characterization.
  • Produce a wide variety of synthetic peptides and “peptide-like” compounds utilizing solid-phase peptide synthesis (SPPS) with standard peptide chemistry techniques and using automated peptide synthesizers.
  • Design and carry out multi-step syntheses utilizing organic chemistry techniques such as TLC, rotovap, flash chromatography, air-free techniques, and NMR.
  • Optimize existing standard operating procedures for yield, efficiency, and throughput of peptides.
  • Explore strategies to improve the throughput and quality of peptide synthesis pipelines.
  • Document protocols run in the wet lab.
  • Establish and nurture productive relationships with research colleagues, students, administrators, and others at IPD.
    • Train IPD researchers on Core-specific workflow for peptide synthesis and purification.
    • Work directly with Principal Investigators, postdoctoral fellows, graduate students, and laboratory staff in assisting with and conducting experiments.
• Perform routine data analysis of de novo proteins utilizing intact protein mass spectrometry.
• Maintain and troubleshoot LC/MS instrumentation (Agilent).
• Develop and implement new methods as called for optimization of intact protein mixtures, antibodies.
• Process and deconvolute results via software such as Agilent BioConfirm and PMI-Byos.
• Work directly with researchers–postdoctoral fellows, graduate students, and laboratory staff–in communication of troubleshooting and results.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in Biochemistry, Chemistry or related field and 2 years of relevant experience in modern peptide synthesis techniques, purification and analysis.
• Strong communication and organization skills and great attention to detail.
• A willingness to acquire new skills and learn on the job.
• Proficient in modern peptide synthesis techniques, purification and analysis.
• Experience with lab instrument use and upkeep of: peptide synthesizers (CEM, Gyros), lyophilizers (SP, Labcon), rotovaps (Buchi), LC/MS (Agilent), HPLCs (Agilent).

Field of Research

Located at the University of Washington in Seattle, the Institute for Protein Design is a unique interdisciplinary environment where world-class researchers create new biomolecules. Our mission is to create proteins that solve modern challenges in medicine, technology, and sustainability. Joining our team means becoming part of one of the largest and most innovative public universities in the world. Your work here will support scientific inquiry and help ensure that laboratory breakthroughs lead to positive impact.

Compensation, Benefits & Position Details

• Pay Range: Minimum: $69,600.00 annual Pay Range Maximum $96,000.00 annual
• Benefits: Other Compensation: For information about benefits for this position, visit https://www.washington.edu/jobs/benefits-for-uw-staff/
• Shift: First Shift (United States of America)
• Temporary or Regular: This is a regular position
• FTE (Full-Time Equivalent): 100.00%
• Union/Bargaining Unit: UAW
• Research: About The UW