Staff Scientist

Benaroya Research Institute (BRI) seeks a creative and highly motivated Postdoctoral Research Associate to investigate immune mechanisms driving type 1 diabetes (T1D) and other autoimmune diseases within the Long Lab, part of the Center for Translational Immunology.

About the role

The Lab combines advanced human immunology, single-cell and multi-modal technologies, and systems immunology approaches to understand disease progression, patient variability, and therapy response. This collaborative position offers a unique opportunity to study immune regulation and autoreactive T cells during the earliest stages of T1D using cross-sectional, longitudinal, and clinical trial samples. The successful candidate will lead independent cellular and molecular research while working closely with BRI bioinformaticians and collaborators. This position is equivalent to an Instructor appointment in academia and is ideal for scientists who have completed postdoctoral training and seek an advanced research career outside the traditional faculty track.

Responsibilities

• Design, lead, and implement multiple complex research projects focused on autoreactive B and T cell biology, immune tolerance, and autoimmune disease.
• Design and perform experiments to identify autoreactive B and T cells for downstream transcriptional, single-cell, and multi-modal analyses.
• Analyze, interpret, and document experimental data while maintaining rigorous scientific standards.
• Use AI and collaborate closely with the BRI Bioinformatics team to integrate computational and systems immunology approaches into experimental design and data analysis.
• Work collaboratively with investigators across BRI, the University of Washington, TrialNet, and other national and international collaborators.
• Prepare manuscripts, abstracts, and presentations for publication and scientific meetings.
• Contribute to the preparation of research grants, fellowship applications, and collaborative funding proposals.
• Serve as a scientific leader within the Lab by mentoring research technicians, postdoctoral fellows, students, interns, and volunteers.
• Help establish and optimize new Lab methods and workflows and oversee specialized instrumentation as appropriate.
• Stay current with advances in immunology, autoimmune disease, and emerging technologies while identifying new scientific opportunities.
• Foster a collaborative, inclusive learning environment that prioritizes integrity, respect, innovation, agility, and constant scientific inquiry.

Qualifications

• Ph.D. in Immunology or a related biomedical science.
• Minimum of five years of postdoctoral research experience.
• Experience in tissue culture and cellular and molecular biology techniques.
• Demonstrated ability to independently design and execute complex research projects through to publication.
• Strong publication record and evidence of scientific creativity, collaboration, and independent thinking.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with experience presenting scientific findings.

Preferred Experience

• Human immunology, autoimmune disease, or type 1 diabetes research.
• Flow or spectral cytometry, single-cell technologies, systems immunology, and analysis of large-scale datasets.
• Working with human clinical samples and translational research studies.
• Familiarity with computational analysis tools and collaboration with bioinformatics teams.
• Prior experience mentoring trainees and contributing to grant development.

Pay

The annual salary range is $72,950 to $111,610.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance.
• Flexible spending accounts: health care, dependent care, commuter.
• Short- and long-term disability.
• Life and AD&D insurance.
• 403(b) retirement plan with matching funds after one year of employment.
• 13 holidays, 3 weeks of vacation, and 2 weeks of sick leave per year.
• Employee assistance program.
• Educational assistance program.
• Subsidized ORCA pass.
• Wellness benefits.
• Voluntary benefits.

About Us

Benaroya Research Institute (BRI) has a bold mission: to advance the science to predict, prevent, reverse, and cure immune system diseases—from autoimmune disease to cancer to asthma and allergies. We create detailed pictures of the immune system in health and disease, aiming to understand how disorders start and how to rebalance the immune system back to health. Equipped with innovative tools and robust biorepositories, our team works toward our vision of a healthy immune system for everyone.

BRI is a nonprofit research institute based in Seattle and affiliated with Virginia Mason Franciscan Health. We collaborate with clinicians and patients to accelerate the path from innovative lab discoveries to life-changing patient care. At BRI, each individual is valued as an important contributor to our vision and mission.