Research Technician I

Benaroya Research Institute at Virginia Mason (BRI) has a bold mission: Predict, prevent, reverse and cure immune system diseases, from autoimmune disease to cancer to COVID-19. We examine the immune system in both health and disease to understand how disorders start and how to rebalance the immune system back to health. Equipped with innovative tools and robust biorepositories, our team chips away at the biggest mysteries behind these conditions to work toward our vision of a healthy immune system for all. As an independent non-profit organization within Virginia Mason Franciscan Health, we collaborate with clinicians to accelerate the path from innovative lab discoveries to life-changing patient care.

At BRI, each role is valued and an important contributor to the vision and mission. BRI is committed to a safe, caring and diverse workplace; as well as to taking action to further our commitments to foster inclusion, equity and belonging so employees feel comfortable bringing their full selves to work. Consider making a difference, join our team. Because together, we are Powering Possibility.

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The Ray Lab at Benaroya Research Institute (BRI) in Seattle, WA is seeking a highly-motivated Research Technician I to join their hard-working, cutting-edge research team. The Ray lab studies how human genetic variation contributes to autoimmune disease susceptibility through altering immune cell function. The lab is currently focusing on multiple sclerosis, a debilitating neurological disease that affects 1M people in the US. To better understand genetic risk for this and other autoimmune diseases, the lab identifies regions that correlate with disease progression and perturbs those regions in primary human and mouse cells to determine their effects on immune cell function and disease. Assays include CRISPR-mediated silencing of active regions of the genome, DNA base editing, massively parallel reporter assays, and other methodologies and analyses to find regions of the genome that promote risk for disease. The Research Technician I will be responsible for assisting with the Ray Lab mouse colony, helping with autoimmune mouse model experiments, providing technical laboratory support, and performing both routine and non-routine lab procedures.

• Working with mice, including genotyping and other colony maintenance activitives, assisting with experiments involving mice, which include occasional weekend shifts, and harvesting primary cells from mice for use in experiments
• Working with mouse models of autoimmune disease, with focus on multiple sclerosis
• Working with human blood samples
• Maintain laboratory records by recording detailed data, including photography and computer input, in a literate and thorough manner
• Preparing laboratory reagents, chemicals, stocks, cultures, and cell lines
• Operating a variety of laboratory instruments such as spectrometers, electrophoresis radiation counters, PCR machines, measuring instruments and devices
• Performing chemical, physical, or biological analyses following written protocols
• Conduct literature search and read literature applicable to research area

• BA/BS in a scientific field and basic laboratory skills required
• Prior work in a laboratory environment preferred
• Must be comfortable working with mice
• Must have strong organizational, record keeping, mathematical, computer and data analysis skills
• Proven good verbal and writing skills, and have the ability to work both independently and in a team environment

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, citizenship, disability or protected veteran status.