Postbaccalaureate RA – Immunology / Development of an activation-induced marker assay to detect and analyze antigen-specific human B cells

Postbaccalaureate Research Assistant – Immunology / Development of an activation-induced marker assay to detect and analyze antigen-specific human B cells

The mission of the Allen Institute is to unlock the complexities of bioscience and advance our knowledge to improve human health. Using an open science, multi-scale, team-oriented approach, the Allen Institute focuses on accelerating foundational research, developing standards and models, and cultivating new ideas to make a broad, transformational impact on science.

The mission of the Allen Institute for Immunology is to advance the fundamental understanding of human immunology through the study of immune health and diseases where excessive or impaired immune responses drive pathological processes. The Institute will employ a multi-disciplinary team approach in collaboration with academic centers of human immunology to generate novel mechanistic insights into the immune synapse in health and in diseases such as autoimmunity or oncology. The Institute will simultaneously provide a foundational data set and tools for future immunological research as well as a novel collaboration portal for the broader scientific community.

The Allen Institute for Immunology is seeking a Postbaccalaureate Research Assistant (postbac) to be part of a vibrant team, responsible for developing an activation-induced marker assay for human B cells and helping to validate findings of our team’s Immunology studies. This postbac will support the development of this B cell assay by performing cell isolation from blood and tissue, cell culture, flow cytometry, flow antibody panel design and development, participating in the general operation and maintenance of the laboratory, and performing routine laboratory tasks. Candidates will actively contribute to the analysis and interpretation of data they generate.

The postbac will be taught how to perform a wide variety of laboratory tasks and/or experiments in a highly technical environment and gain responsibility in running these tasks independently over time. They must keep good records. Good judgment and problem-solving skills are required for troubleshooting, and operating laboratory instrumentation. The postbac is expected to comply with regulatory requirements in a near GLP environment. A successful candidate possesses excellent attention to detail and the eagerness to work in a Team Science and Big Science atmosphere.

The Allen Institute believes that team science significantly benefits from the participation of diverse voices, experiences and backgrounds. High-quality science can only be produced when it includes different perspectives. We are committed to increasing diversity across every team and encourage people from all backgrounds to apply for this role.

Applications must be received by January 7, 2025, to be considered.

Educational Objectives

• Develop wet lab skills critical for isolation, culture and activation of human B cells
• Develop an ability to analyze protein expression of immune cells by using spectral flow cytometry and, potentially, interpret B cell receptor (BCR) features from BCR sequencing data
• Training will include data acquisition and basic analysis in FlowJo and R (no prior coding experience needed)
• Acquire knowledge of human immunology, particularly related to B cell responses, adaptive immunity and autoimmunity
• Communication of B cell immunology assay results and interpretation to a larger audience internally, and (if possible) externally to the broader community

Required Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree
• Demonstrated commitment to science
• Basic understanding of human biology and/or immunology
• Ability to pipette and follow laboratory protocols
• 3-6 months biology lab experience preferred (course-based lab experience qualifies)

Work Environment

• Open office seating
• Bench top work in a BSL-2 laboratory environment, including potential exposure to biohazards or chemical substances.
• Requires repetitive multi-channel pipetting, single channel pipetting, computer data entry, and working in biosafety cabinets (tissue culture hoods)
• This may include wearing personnel protective equipment (PPE) - including occasionally wearing respiratory protection
• Working with dry ice or liquid nitrogen
• Sample handling of the following material, including but not limited to: human whole blood, PBMC, plasma, nucleic acids, and primary cells and cell lines

Physical Demands

• Occasional lifting up to 20 lbs
• Fine motor movements in fingers/hands to operate computers and lab equipment, repetitive motion with lab equipment
• Push/pull up to 30 lbs on a cart
• Stooping, bending, and crouching
• Reaching to high shelves and/or climbing on a stepping stool

Position Type/Expected Hours of Work

• Occasional evening hours required
• This role is currently working onsite and is expected to work onsite for the majority of working hours. The primary work location for this role is 615 Westlake Ave N., with flexibility to work remotely on a limited basis.

Additional Eligibility Qualifications

• Completed a bachelor’s degree (or will have completed by the start of the program) and does not have an advanced degree in the role’s relevant STEM field
• Must be able to start in June or July 2025 and commit to the full one-year program, which will end on Friday, May 29, 2026
• Must be eligible to work in the U.S. for the program duration
• Must be 18 years of age or older

Additional Comments

• Postbacs are expected to participate as fully-engaged team members, attending and participating in team meetings, presenting on their work, etc.
• Aside from program activities, postbacs are expected to work full-time as regular team members unless otherwise approved by their manager
• **Please note, this opportunity offers relocation and housing assistance**
• **Please note, this opportunity requires U.S work authorization and does not sponsor work visas**

Annualized Salary

• $59,280 (non-negotiable)

Benefits

• Postbacs (and their families) are eligible to enroll in benefits per eligibility rules outlined in the Allen Institute’s Benefits Guide. These benefits include medical, dental, vision, and basic life insurance. Employees are also eligible to enroll in the Allen Institute’s 401k plan. Paid time off is also available as outlined in the Allen Institutes Benefits Guide. Details on the Allen Institute’s benefits offering are located at the following link to the Benefits Guide: https://alleninstitute.org/careers/benefits.

It is the policy of the Allen Institute to provide equal employment opportunity (EEO) to all persons regardless of age, color, national origin, citizenship status, physical or mental disability, race, religion, creed, gender, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, genetic information, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law. In addition, the Allen Institute will provide reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities