RESEARCH SCIENTIST

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The Department of Chemical Engineering (ChemE) has more than 26 faculty, 16 postdocs, and 14 staff. ChemE has a long tradition of openness and innovation. We recognize and value the perspectives and contributions that everyone, including women, ethnic and racial minorities, LGBTQ+, disabled, veterans, and under-served individuals can bring to our discipline. We actively advance the inclusion and representation of these groups, whose views, goals and participation enrich and enhance ChemE’s mission to create knowledge and solutions for a changing world.

The University of Washington’s Department of Chemical Engineering has an outstanding opportunity for a RESEARCH SCIENTIST 4. This position will support a 5-year, $15 million interdisciplinary grant, funded by the U.S. Department of Energy, with a UW-led team of synthetic biologists to engineer microbial genomes that transform CO2 into high-value chemicals. The project, led by Professor James Carothers, brings together expertise in CRISPR gene-expression programs, single-cell RNA sequencing, data-driven design, and carbon-conserving pathway engineering. Its aim is to advance fundamental research into large-scale, bio-based chemical production that is not only greener, but also produces better alternatives to petrochemical-based products.

Candidates applying by Thursday, February 16 will receive priority

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Research (65% FTE)
Apply specialized knowledge and skills to advance approaches to engineer model and non-model bacteria for bioproduction using CRISPR gene regulation. The position interacts with project team members at UW and collaborator institutions to conduct research, report progress to the Department of Energy, and publish results.
• The Research Scientist 4 will serve as a subject matter expert on systems-level engineering and analysis of microbes.
• They will develop new approaches to engineer model and non-model bacteria for bioproduction applications using CRISPR gene regulation.
• Take a lead role in writing and submitting project reports, patent filings, and peer reviewed journal articles.
• Present results at project team meetings, sponsor site visits, and national conferences.
• assist with coordination of research priorities and activities.
Project Management (35% FTE)
• Train and mentor undergraduate/graduate students, post docs and research staff members.
• Plan, schedule, coordinate and carry out project work with other project team members to achieve research aims and meet deadlines.
• Oversee project-related major equipment purchases and upkeep, and supply and service procurement.
• Organize and participate in project team meetings and assist with coordination of research priorities and activities.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS
• Master’s and 4-5 years of relevant experience in a relevant field of engineering or the biosciences such as chemical engineering, bioengineering, molecular engineering, molecular biology, biochemistry, genome sciences, microbiology or synthetic biology.
• Domain knowledge of genetic design, functional assays and experimental studies for engineering and analyzing bacteria.
• Experience with DNA design, DNA assembly, bacterial transformation, bacterial growth and cultivation, and plate-reader and flow-cytometer based assays.
• Ability to identify problems or irregularities in data or analytical results and find appropriate remedies.
• Ability to plan, schedule and coordinate complex project work with collaborators.
• Ability to work during regular business hours and attend virtual meetings as needed (taking into consideration time zones, primarily ranging from Pacific Time to Eastern Time in the U.S.).

Equivalent education/experience will substitute for all minimum qualifications except when there are legal requirements, such as a license/certification/registration.

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS
• PhD and 2 years of relevant experience in a relevant field of engineering or the biosciences such as chemical engineering, bioengineering, molecular engineering, molecular biology, biochemistry, genome sciences, microbiology or synthetic biology.
• Experience employing or ability to quickly learn about the use of HPLC and LC/MS for metabolic production analysis.
• Experience employing or ability to quickly learn about using, manipulating, and interpreting datasets from large scale omics experiments (e.g., metabolomics, transcriptomics, single cell transcriptomics, proteomics).
• Experience in management, manipulation, analysis, and interpretation of large and complex scientific data sets.
• Excellent communication skills, including the ability to convey information and concepts in engineering biology to experts and non-experts.
• Excellent writing skills, including the ability to write clearly and lead preparation of results for project reports, patent filings, and publications.
Equivalent education/experience will substitute for all minimum qualifications except when there are legal requirements, such as a license/certification/registration.

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT
This position may require working more than 40 hours per week on occasion. Must be able to work a flexible schedule and coordinate leave requests with other lab personnel.

Application Process:   The application process may include completion of a variety of online assessments to obtain additional information that will be used in the evaluation process.  These assessments may include Work Authorization, Cover Letter and/or others. Any assessments that you need to complete will appear on your screen as soon as you select “Apply to this position”. Once you begin an assessment, it must be completed at that time; if you do not complete the assessment you will be prompted to do so the next time you access your “My Jobs” page. If you select to take it later, it will appear on your "My Jobs" page to take when you are ready. Please note that your application will not be reviewed, and you will not be considered for this position until all required assessments have been completed.