Post-Doctoral Research Fellow

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 Lapointe Lab (Basic Sciences Division, Fred Hutch) is hiring a Postdoctoral Fellow. The fellow will apply state-of-the-art biochemical and in vitro single-molecule microscopy assays to study protein-RNA interactions that control human mRNA translation.  Using a fully reconstituted system, the goal of the project is to examine how RNA-binding proteins search for their binding sites within mRNAs, and once bound, how they control the process of translation initiation. The ideal candidate will be comfortable working collaboratively and in a multidisciplinary environment.

The Lapointe Lab provides a supportive environment that strongly emphasizes individualized mentoring strategies. Researchers in our group are prepared for a wide range of careers in academia and industry. If you join, we prioritize your continued development into an independent scientist. We will work with you to both identify and develop plans to achieve your research and professional development goals. We also will enhance your ability to think critically and communicate effectively, skills transferrable to any career path. In parallel, Fred Hutch and the Basic Sciences Division offer numerous career development opportunities, benefits, and competitive salaries (approx. $68k starting, with scheduled raises to ~$91k by ‘27) to postdoctoral fellows.

Responsibilities

The fellow will learn and apply cutting-edge biochemical and single-molecule assays to track interactions of single human proteins and ribosomes with single mRNAs in vitro. To do so, they will use biochemical, molecular biology, and biophysical approaches and necessary computational methods to analyze data. The fellow will present their work at group meetings and conferences and write up their work for publication. Secondary responsibilities include mentoring graduate students and research technicians and contributing positively to the lab community and intellectual environment.

Other Expectations

• Work collaboratively within the Lapointe Lab and with Hutch and external collaborators.
• Apply for postdoctoral fellowships and/or career development awards.
• Will contribute to the growth mindset philosophy of our group.

Qualifications

• a Ph.D. degree in biochemistry, biophysics, molecular biology, or a related discipline.
• At least one published first-author research paper in a peer-reviewed journal.
• A strong foundation in hypothesis-driven, basic research.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Independently motivated to think, plan, conduct, analyze, and document experiments and findings.

How to apply

• Provide your CV, with publications and contact information for 3 references listed;
• A one page cover letter that includes:
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  • A summary of your past research experiences and accomplishments.
  • Your research interests and why your background and interests are a good fit for this project.
  • Your broader goals for your postdoctoral training period and career, including an ideal timeframe.
  • Your potential start date.

The annual base salary range for this position is from $67,728 to $100,000 and pay offered will be based on experience and qualifications.