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.** Visit
BenaroyaResearch.org or follow BRI’s Autoimmune Life Blog, Facebook,
Instagram, LinkedIn or Twitter to learn more. **Overview** 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. **Responsibilities:** • 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
**Requirements:** • 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 **Visithttps://www.benaroyaresearch.org/resources/careers to
apply for this position.** **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.**