Shared Resources Specialist III - Genomics

Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center is an independent, nonprofit organization providing adult cancer treatment and groundbreaking research focused on cancer and infectious diseases. Based in Seattle, Fred Hutch is the only National Cancer Institute-designated cancer center in Washington.

With a track record of global leadership in bone marrow transplantation, HIV/AIDS prevention, immunotherapy and COVID-19 vaccines, Fred Hutch has earned a reputation as one of the world's leading cancer, infectious disease and biomedical research centers. Fred Hutch operates eight clinical care sites that provide medical oncology, infusion, radiation, proton therapy and related services, and network affiliations with hospitals in five states. Together, our fully integrated research and clinical care teams seek to discover new cures to the world's deadliest diseases and make life beyond cancer a reality.

At Fred Hutch we value collaboration, compassion, determination, excellence, innovation, integrity and respect. Our mission is directly tied to the humanity, dignity and inherent value of each employee, patient, community member and supporter. Our commitment to learning across our differences and similarities make us stronger. We seek employees who bring different and innovative ways of seeing the world and solving problems.

The Genomics Specialist III is responsible for supporting and collaboratively enhancing the Genomics needs of researchers at Fred Hutch. The Genomics Specialist will assist researchers by performing sample QC, NGS library preparation, supporting sequencing activities, and participating in the active development of new services and opportunities within the Genomics SR. This position assumes mastery of all Specialist II position requirements and duties.

At Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, all employees are expected to demonstrate a commitment to our values of collaboration, compassion, determination, excellence, innovation, integrity, and respect.

PRIMARY/ESSENTIAL DUTIES:

Research Support: The incumbent is expected to be the primary point of contact and operator for instrumentation or processes in the Genomics shared resource such as NGS library preparation using manual or automated liquid handling platforms, Illumina and PacBio NGS sequencer loading and operations, nucleic acid quality control, nucleic acid shearing, and digital barcoded nucleic acid quantification. This role will also participate in collaborative research efforts among multiple shared resources. The incumbent will be capable of assisting in experimental design collaboratively with users.
• Research development: This position is expected to provide a high level of support for users by establishing and maintaining positive, collaborative working relationships with faculty and external users. Develop and optimize protocols or creative solutions and deliver high quality data for a variety of NGS or standard genomics applications.
• Equipment Oversight: The incumbent is expected to have expertise with standard molecular biology instrumentation such as pipettes, thermal cyclers, Tapestation, Qubit, KAPA qPCR. Additionally, the incumbent should have familiarity with operation of NGS instruments such as Illumina NextSeq 2000, PacBio Sequel Iie, and NovaSeq X Plus. The idea candidate would also be proficient in operation of automated liquid handling platforms.
• Training and Education: Develop SOPs and community training materials. Present on new or expanded technologies within the Genomics SR. Lead initiatives to develop new training materials and training sessions for users.
• Administrative tasks: Track and order reagents and consumables for assigned areas; thoroughly and accurately document laboratory activities. Foster positive relationships with vendors and service engineers who support the Genomics SR.
• Other duties as assigned.

SCOPE OF RESPONSIBILITY:

• Level of autonomy:
  • A Genomics Specialist III will communicate issues/ needs of the facility to their manager(s) on an established schedule but will be expected to perform most work independently.
  • This position has no responsibility for supervision of others but is expected to mentor junior staff.
  • The Genomics Director and senior staff will contribute to oversight and mentoring of this position.
  • There will be regular interfacing with resource users including vendors.
• Financial responsibility:
  • This role does not have direct financial responsibility but will be responsible for managing supply chain for assigned tasks.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor's degree in Molecular Biology, Biochemistry, Genetics, or related field with 5+ years of professional laboratory experience or;
• Master's degree in Molecular Biology, Biochemistry, Genetics, or related field with 3+ years of professional laboratory experience.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Ability to optimize the operation of all/ some of the following systems and processes:
  • NGS library preparation using single or multi-channel pipettes and laboratory automation platforms
  • Illumina NovaSeq X Plus and NextSeq 2000 loading and operations
  • PacBio NGS sequencer loading and operations
  • Nucleic acid QC using Tapestation, Bioanalyzer, UV/Vis spectrophotometer, and Qubit Fluorometer
  • Nucleic acid shearing using Covaris ultrasonicator
• Previous experience in operation and maintenance of automated liquid handling platforms.
• Have a solid foundation of molecular biology techniques pertaining to genomics technologies.
• Excellent communication, interpersonal and organizational skills.
• Ability to work in a collaborative team-oriented, core-lab environment.
• Experience with MS Office suite of applications (Outlook, Word, Excel, Sharepoint, Teams, One Drive, etc.)
• Record keeping and database management.
• Capable of undertaking work with minimal supervision and ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.
• Can perform detailed research and review of technology through literature searches, outreach to experts in field and other informational sources.

The annual base salary range for this position is from $77,976 to $107,328, and pay offered will be based on experience and qualifications.

Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center offers employees a comprehensive benefits package designed to enhance health, well-being, and financial security. Benefits include medical/vision, dental, flexible spending accounts, life, disability, retirement, family life support, employee assistance program, onsite health clinic, tuition reimbursement, paid vacation (12-22 days per year), paid sick leave (12-25 days per year), paid holidays (13 days per year), paid parental leave (up to 4 weeks), and partially paid sabbatical leave (up to 6 months).