Research Scientist/Engineer Assistant

About the Role

The Institute for Protein Design seeks a Research Scientist/Engineer Assistant to support the Multistage Malaria Research Team. This role involves recombinant protein production and characterization for vaccine research, focusing on designed malaria antigens, protein nanoparticles, and related reagents. The position is located at the University of Washington in Seattle.

Key Responsibilities

• Project-focused research (70%)
• Produce recombinant proteins using bacterial expression systems (e.g., E. coli/Shuffle T7/BL21) and/or mammalian cell systems (e.g., HEK293 or CHO).
• Perform protein purification workflows using FPLC/ÄKTA systems, including affinity, size-exclusion, and ion-exchange chromatography.
• Characterize proteins, antigens, and protein nanoparticles using SDS-PAGE, HPLC, biolayer interferometry (BLI/Octet), dynamic light scattering (DLS), and negative stain electron microscopy (nSEM).
• Produce and prepare low-endotoxin proteins for in vivo studies, including aliquoting, labeling, quality documentation, and preparing Certificates of Testing (CoTs).
• Prepare buffers, reagents, standards, and samples, and perform routine laboratory calculations.
• Follow standard operating procedures and working guidelines, documenting protocols and experiments.
• Review and organize experimental data, recognizing and communicating results outside expected ranges.
• Maintain experimental records and enter data into laboratory databases and tracking systems.
• Prepare proteins and related reagents for downstream studies and collaborator distribution.
• Research support and laboratory operations (20%)
• Maintain laboratory inventories, common reagents, buffers, consumables, and biological materials.
• Perform routine maintenance and cleaning of shared laboratory equipment and coordinate instrument issue resolution.
• Assist with sample organization, labeling, storage, and shipment preparation.
• Support laboratory organization and safety compliance.
• Data communication and team activities (10%)
• Compile experimental results and prepare figures, tables, and slides for team review.
• Participate in project and laboratory meetings, communicating progress, results, and issues.
• Participate in training and team-building activities.

Requirements & Tech Stack

• Minimum Qualifications:
• Bachelor's Degree in Biochemistry, Chemistry, molecular biology or any related field.
• Less than one year of relevant experience.
• Additional Qualifications:
• Hands-on laboratory experience preparing media, buffers, and reagents, with familiarity in laboratory supplies, routine equipment maintenance, inventory management, and supply ordering.
• Hands-on laboratory experience with recombinant protein expression using bacterial systems (e.g., E. coli/SHuffle T7) and/or mammalian cell systems (e.g., HEK293 or CHO).
• Experience with protein purification using FPLC/ÄKTA or comparable automated chromatography systems.
• Experience preparing and running SDS-PAGE gels and interpreting results.
• Experience with HPLC-based protein analysis.
• Experience performing biolayer interferometry (BLI) using Octet or comparable instrumentation.
• Experience using dynamic light scattering (DLS) for characterization of proteins and/or protein nanoparticles.
• Ability to perform accurate laboratory calculations and prepare buffers, reagents, standards, and samples with close attention to detail.
• Strong organization and time-management skills, with the ability to prioritize and track multiple experiments.
• Ability to follow established protocols, recognize deviations, and communicate issues promptly.
• Clear, timely, and professional written and verbal communication skills.
• Reliability, accountability, and consistent follow-through on work and documentation.
• Ability to work collaboratively in a fast-paced, interdisciplinary team and willingness to learn new methods and incorporate feedback.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with both bacterial and mammalian recombinant protein expression systems.
• Experience with surface plasmon resonance (SPR) for protein-binding characterization.
• Experience preparing protein or nanoparticle samples for negative-stain electron microscopy and/or interpreting routine electron microscopy data.
• Experience working with protein nanoparticles, vaccine antigens, antibodies, or other recombinant biologics.
• Experience with affinity, size-exclusion, and ion-exchange chromatography workflows and routine evaluation of chromatographic data.
• Experience maintaining detailed electronic laboratory records and organizing experimental data in shared databases or tracking systems.
• Demonstrated success working on multiple projects and communicating effectively with scientists from different technical backgrounds, ELISA, and electron microscopy.