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The University of Washington (UW) is proud to be one of the nation’s premier educational and research institutions. Our people are the most important asset in our pursuit of achieving excellence in education, research, and community service. Our staff not only enjoys outstanding benefits and professional growth opportunities, but also an environment noted for diversity, community involvement, intellectual excitement, artistic pursuits, and natural beauty.

At the University of Washington, diversity is integral to excellence. We value and honor diverse experiences and perspectives, strive to create welcoming and respectful learning environments, and promote access, opportunity and justice for all.

The UW School of Medicine's Department of Metabolism,Endocrinology & Nutrition has an outstanding opportunity open for a Temporary  Research Scientist/Engineer 1 in the Sweet Laboratory.

The overall purpose of the Sweet laboratory is to facilitate and enhance sophisticated in vitro methodologies for research and development aimed at understanding and treatment of metabolic diseases such as diabetes and cancer.  Methodologies involve processing of tissue and cell models, and experimental analysis with respect to their metabolic, functional and morphological state.  Flow culture devices combined with sophisticated real time cellular assessment techniques using optical detection have been developed and we endeavor to continue to extend the functionality and operability of these unique set of investigational tools.  Classes of studies carried out with our analytical tools include control of insulin secretion, cell death, mitochondrial metabolism, stimulation secretion coupling, binding studies, drug development, phenotyping genetically altered mice and transplantation studies.

Major responsibilities and Duties:

Activities center on performing procedures and generating data from a wide array of techniques that span developmental maturity from nascent methods to validation and application of tools to support scientific investigation, publications and grant funding applications.     
                                                                                                                                             
Specific Duties and Responsibilities:

•Generation and modifications of CAD files and drawings.
•Testing of O2 and other chemical sensing/detection systems.
•Testing and characterization of fluidics systems involving the measurement of flow rate stability, control, priming, bubble formation, channel to channel variation, and operation of valves.
•Testing of tissue viability and function under static and flow culture.
•Isolation of pancreatic islets and tissue from rodents using microsurgical and gradient purification techniques.
•Assess metabolic and functional viability of tissue/cells using sophisticated, real-time spectroscopic and imaging techniques.
•Perform biochemical assays using fluorometric, spectrophotometric and liquid scintillation techniques.
•Test modifications of research protocols, methodology and laboratory equipment.
•Analyze and report experimental results during laboratory meetings and in writing.
•Keep careful and accurate laboratory records.
•Maintain laboratory equipment.

Required: One year's experience in a related area.  Bachelor's degree in an appropriate field or equivalent combination of education and experience. Must be willing to work with rodents and be flexible with work schedule during long experiments.

Desired: Ability to test and optimize analytical tools used in our laboratory and modify them for application to a wide variety of tissues and questions being addressed; undergraduate degree in a life science, biochemistry/chemistry or engineering; penchant and aptitude for engineering and design; experience with cell and primary tissue culture and general experience with life sciences laboratory techniques.


Application Process:

The application process for UW positions 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.

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“Onsite work” in the interim will vary for units and for specific positions and will be discussed with candidates during the interview process.