Post-Doctoral Research Fellow - Arimura Lab - Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center

Seattle, WA

About the Job

Overview:

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 Arimura Lab (Basic Sciences Division, Fred Hutch) was just launched in February 2024. We are looking for a Postdoctoral Fellow to help establish a diverse, innovative, and collaborative research team. The successful candidate must have a keen interest in chromatin biology and the courage to develop novel approaches, although no prior research experience in structural biology is required.

The mission of the Arimura Lab is to elucidate the regulation mechanisms of biological events occurring in eukaryotic chromosomes, such as the transcription regulation in euchromatin and heterochromatin, the mitosis-specific mechanisms that compact chromosomes and assemble kinetochores, and the accessible chromatin formation around transcription start site. Our Lab will accomplish this elucidation by developing novel approaches. The lab currently possesses unique technology to determine the high-resolution cryo-EM structures of chromatin-related complexes isolated from interphase and M phase chromosomes formed in Xenopus (frog) egg extract (PMID: 34478647) and Magnetic Isolation and Concentration (MagIC)-cryo-EM, a technique enabling direct structural analysis of targets captured on nanomagnetic beads, which allows for the structural determination of scarce macromolecules (< 0.0005 mg/mL: 100 to 1000-fold lower than conventional cryo-EM) in heterogeneous samples (PMID: 38328033 [preprint]). By using these unique technologies and further developing them, we elucidate the structural basis of the biological events on eukaryotic chromosomes.

The Arimura Lab provides a supportive environment that strongly emphasizes individualized mentoring. Upon joining, we will prioritize your continued development as an independent scientist. We will collaborate with you to identify and develop plans to achieve your research and professional development goals. In addition, Fred Hutch and the Basic Sciences Division offer numerous career development opportunities, benefits, and competitive salaries (starting at approximately $68k, with scheduled raises to ~$91k by 2027) for postdoctoral fellows.

Responsibilities:

The fellow will either work on implementing our unique technologies or further advancing them (e.g. combining them with genomics) to elucidate the structural basis of the biological events occurring in eukaryotic chromosomes. The fellow will record and 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

Show respect to all members of the lab and the broader Hutch community.
Apply for postdoctoral fellowships and/or career development awards.
Work collaboratively within the Arimura Lab and with Hutch and external collaborators.

Qualifications:

A Ph.D. degree (No research background in structural biology is required, as we are more than happy to assist in developing your structural biology skills from scratch.)
A strong interest in chromatin biology and courage to develop novel approaches.
At least one published first-author research paper.

Please include the following with your application:

Your CV, with publications and contact information for three references.
A one page cover letter that includes:
- A summary of your past research experience and accomplishments
- Your research interests and explanation of why your background and interests are a good fit for our lab.
- Your broader goals for your postdoctoral training period and career, including your ideal timeframe.

A statement describing your commitment and contributions toward greater diversity, equity, inclusion, and antiracism in your career or that will be made through your work at Fred Hutch is requested of all finalists.

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.

Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center offers employees a comprehensive benefits package designed to enhance health, well-being, and financial security. Benefits include medical/vision, dental, flexible spending accounts, life, disability, retirement, family life support, employee assistance program, onsite health clinic, income-based child care subsidy, tuition reimbursement, paid vacation (22 days per year), paid sick leave (up to 30 calendar days per occurrence of a qualifying reason), paid holidays (13 days per year), and paid parental leave (up to 4 weeks).

Our Commitment to Diversity:We are proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) and Vietnam Era Veterans Readjustment Assistance Act (VEVRAA) Employer. We are committed to cultivating a workplace in which diverse perspectives and experiences are welcomed and respected. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, ancestry, national origin, sex, age, disability (physical or mental), marital or veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity, political ideology, or membership in any other legally protected class. We are an Affirmative Action employer. We encourage individuals with diverse backgrounds to apply and desire priority referrals of protected veterans. If due to a disability you need assistance/and or a reasonable accommodation during the application or recruiting process, please send a request to Human Resources at hrops@fredhutch.org or by calling 206-667-4700.

Source : Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center