Career Center

Overview

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. These values are grounded in and expressed through the principles of diversity, equity and inclusion. 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. Fred Hutch is in pursuit of becoming an anti-racist organization. We are committed to ensuring that all candidates hired share our commitment to diversity, anti-racism and inclusion.

The Pancera lab, within the Vaccine and Infectious Disease Division, works toward the development of safe and effective vaccines against HIV-1, malaria and other pathogens. Our major emphasis is the design of protein immunogens and understanding the immune response following vaccination or natural infection while focusing on structural characterization of these immunogens and their immune responses. The laboratory utilizes a wide range of in vitro and in vivo systems and cutting-edge technologies and techniques. Experimental approaches include high-throughput crystallography, cryoEM, specialized immunological methodologies and assays, molecular and cellular biology techniques, bioinformatics, and computational approaches.

Our lab is seeking an outstanding Postdoctoral Fellow to work on a project involving the characterization of the humoral immune response following vaccination against HIV, malaria or other pathogens using X-ray crystallography and cryoEM and the designs of novel immunogens.

Responsibilities

• Perform recombinant protein expression (coli, insect cells, mammalian cells) and purification including affinity purification, ion exchange and FPLC
• Determine X-ray crystal structures of the proteins/antibodies complexes
• Use Electron Microscopy for screening purposes (negative stain) and single particle cryoEM to determine the molecular structures of antigen-antibody complexes
• Use of biophysical methods such as ITC and Bio Layer interferometry/SPR or ELISA
• Initiate and carry out scientific projects under the supervision of Dr. Pancera
• Develop and demonstrate a thorough understanding of the scientific literature relating to the research topics
• Conduct and publish research in HIV structural biology

Qualifications

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• PhD in Structural Biology, Protein Chemistry, Biochemistry or a related field is required with significant expertise in X-ray protein crystallography
• Candidates with backgrounds in areas such as protein biochemistry, and vaccine development are strongly encouraged to apply
• Hands-on experience with diverse aspects of Molecular Biology is required
• The candidate must be a 'risk taker', show initiative, willingness to take up new skills and responsibilities, and be a team player
• Excellent attention to details and the ability to work independently are essential to success in this position, as are good communication and organizational skills
• The candidate must be self-motivated, able to multitask and to work within a very collaborative environment
• The candidate must be a 'risk taker', show initiative, willingness to take up new skills and responsibilities, and be a team player
• Excellent attention to details and the ability to work independently are essential to success in this position, as are good communication and organizational skills
• Salary will be commensurate with (appropriate) experience
• A cover letter and research statement is required

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Experience in X-ray crystallography including up-to-date knowledge of relevant programs including CCP4, and Phenix packages, protein purification, protein characterization, and a strong publication history are strongly desired
• Knowledge of cryoEM is not required but desirable
• Additional expertise with tissue culture and immunological assays is a plus

Fred Hutch has a mandatory COVID-19 vaccine requirement, with exceptions only for approved medical or religious accommodations. As a condition of employment, newly hired employees must provide proof of vaccination or initiate the accommodations process before their first day of employment.

A statement describing your commitment and contributions toward greater diversity, equity, inclusion, and antiracism in your career or that will be made through your work at Fred Hutch is requested of all finalists.

The annual base salary range for this position is from $65,484 to $100,000 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, income-based child care subsidy, tuition reimbursement, paid vacation (22 days per year), paid sick leave (up to 30 calendar days per occurrence of a qualifying reason), paid holidays (13 days per year), and paid parental leave (up to 4 weeks).

Our Commitment to Diversity

We are proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) and Vietnam Era Veterans Readjustment Assistance Act (VEVRAA) Employer. We are committed to cultivating a workplace in which diverse perspectives and experiences are welcomed and respected. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, ancestry, national origin, sex, age, disability (physical or mental), marital or veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity, political ideology, or membership in any other legally protected class. We are an Affirmative Action employer. We encourage individuals with diverse backgrounds to apply and desire priority referrals of protected veterans. If due to a disability you need assistance/and or a reasonable accommodation during the application or recruiting process, please send a request to our Employee Services Center at hrops@fredhutch.org or by calling 206-667-4700.