Post Doctoral Research Fellow : Seattle, WA, United States

Job ID 6027Type Regular Full-TimeCompany Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research CenterLocation US-WA-SeattleOverview

Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, home of three Nobel laureates, is an independent, nonprofit research institution dedicated to the development and advancement of biomedical research to eliminate cancer and other potentially fatal diseases. Recognized internationally for its pioneering work in bone-marrow transplantation, the Center’s five scientific divisions collaborate to form a unique environment for conducting basic and applied science. The Hutchinson Center, in collaboration with its clinical and research partners, the University of Washington and Seattle Children’s, is the only National Cancer Institute-designated comprehensive cancer center in the Pacific Northwest. Join us and make a difference!

Hematopoietic stem and progenitor cell gene therapy has emerged as a promising treatment strategy in cancer, genetic and infectious diseases. However, the numbers and properties of true HSPCs are still poorly understood. Additionally, in order for gene therapy to significantly reduce worldwide health burdens, technologies must be improved to allow for translation of this treatment approach globally.

Research is needed to study the biology of the HSPC targeted for gene therapy, as well as to develop and translate HSPC gene therapy protocols for distribution to under-developed countries. These studies will involve cellular and molecular biology, primary cell culture, small and large animal model preclinical studies and HSPC transplantation protocol development.

A postdoctoral researcher is needed to support this work in combining autologous HSPC transplantation with genetic modification approaches in novel platforms. The long-term goal of these studies is to develop a globally applicable platform for successful HSPC gene therapy.

Responsibilities

Work will involve:

• Processing of blood, bone marrow and other tissues for primary cell cultures
• Rodent, canine and non-human primate models of HSPC transplantation
• Retrovirus- and Editing-mediated gene transfer
• Molecular and cellular analyses of gene modified cell populations

Responsibilities:

• Candidate will be responsible for experimental design, execution and interpretation with supervision from the PI
• Keep thorough and accurate records of experiments and progress
• Present scientific progress at laboratory group meetings, as well as institutional, local, national and international conferences and symposia
• Draft manuscripts and abstracts to report scientific progress
• Work with various collaborator groups, both academic and corporate

Qualifications

• PhD degree with several years laboratory experience working on molecular and genetic based approaches for assessing cell biology.
• Experience in designing, conducting, and analyzing a wide range of experimental techniques.
• Experience working with: isolation and manipulation of human primary cells, mammalian cell culture, rodent (mouse) models, PCR and cloning including lenti/retroviral vectors, ELISA, quantitative PCR, and Western blot.