Job Description
About this Opportunity
The Institute for Protein Design (IPD) at the University of Washington is a world-leading research center focused on creating new proteins that solve challenges in medicine, technology, and sustainability. Founded by Nobel laureate David Baker, the IPD fosters a collaborative, interdisciplinary environment, bringing together expertise in computational design, biochemistry, genome sciences, and structural biology. Current projects include the development of novel therapeutics, vaccines, enzymes, and protein-based nanomaterials. Learn more at ipd.uw.edu.
Purpose of the research project(s) this position supports:
The Analytical Methods and Instrumentation Scientist (Research Scientist/Engineer 3) will play a critical role in strengthening IPD’s analytical and purification capabilities. By developing reliable, general‑use methods for small‑molecule analysis, enzyme characterization, and chromatography workflows, this position directly supports a wide range of protein design and enzyme engineering projects. In addition to method development and data analysis, the RS3 provides extensive training for graduate students, postdocs, and other researchers across core instrumentation such as FPLC, HPLC, LC‑MS, and SPR systems. This work ensures that IPD scientists can generate high‑quality and reproducible data and builds long‑term technical capacity essential to IPD’s mission to design proteins that address global challenges.
Key Responsibilities
Mentorship and Training (50%)
Train and mentor graduate students, postdoctoral fellows, and other research staff in FPLC (AKTA), U/HPLC (Agilent), LC‑MS (Agilent), SPR (Cytiva), and related analytical techniques.
Develop and maintain standard operating procedures for instrument operation, preventative maintenance, method execution, troubleshooting, and data analysis.
Provide ongoing scientific and technical guidance to help trainees build long‑term competency in analytical workflows and instrument care.
Analytical Method Development and Data Analysis (35%)
Develop, optimize, and validate analytical and purification methods for small molecule analysis, enzyme characterization, and chromatography workflows using FPLC (AKTA), U/HPLC (Agilent), LC‑MS (Agilent), SPR (Cytiva), and related analytical systems.
Perform data analysis to improve sensitivity, reproducibility, and throughput across IPD analytical pipelines.
Create general‑use protocols and reference datasets that support consistent and reproducible use of core instrumentation.
Collaborate with researchers to refine methods that support small molecule, protein and enzyme design and contribute to the interpretation of analytical results.
Instrumentation Oversight (15%)
Manage and maintain IPD instrumentation including FPLC (AKTA), U/HPLC (Agilent), LC‑MS (Agilent), SPR (Cytiva), and related analytical systems and other core analytical equipment.
Coordinate routine maintenance schedules and ensure instruments remain reliable and ready for high‑throughput use.
Monitor instrument performance, identify emerging issues, and implement improvements that support IPD research needs.
Support IPD researchers by ensuring equitable access to instrumentation and by maintaining clear documentation of instrument status and usage expectations.
Collaborate with IPD Lab Management to review emerging technologies and guide the adoption of new capabilities that strengthen IPD’s analytical and purification infrastructure.
Required Qualifications,
To be considered for this opportunity your application must demonstrate you meet both the minimum qualifications and additional qualifications listed below. Equivalent education and/or experience may substitute for minimum qualifications except when there are legal requirements, such as a license, certification, and/or registration.”
Minimum Requirements:
Applicants who do not meet these qualifications WILL NOT be forwarded to the Hiring Department.
Bachelor's degree in Biochemistry, Biology, Physics or related field and four years of experience with small‑molecule analytical techniques
Additional Requirements:
- Hands‑on experience with small‑molecule analytical techniques, including method development, optimization, and validation across diverse analytes.
- Proficiency with U/HPLC (Agilent) systems, including routine maintenance, troubleshooting, and advanced method setup.
- Experience operating and supporting LC‑MS (Agilent) instruments, including data acquisition, analysis, and interpretation.
- Strong understanding of chromatography principles and purification strategies using FPLC systems such as ÄKTA.
- Familiarity with SPR (Cytiva) instrumentation and associated analytical workflows.
- Demonstrated ability to develop general‑use protocols, SOPs, and reference datasets that improve reproducibility and accessibility for trainees.
- Proven experience mentoring and training trainees, including graduate students, postdoctoral fellows, and staff, in analytical techniques and instrumentation use.
- Strong scientific and technical problem‑solving skills, including diagnosing mechanical, fluidic, electronic, and software issues across multiple instrument platforms and working with technical support to request service visits as needed.
- Ability to manage multiple analytical projects simultaneously while maintaining high standards of data quality and instrument reliability.
Desired:
- Doctorate degree in chemistry, biochemistry, chemical engineering, or a related field.
- 4 years of relevant experience in analytical chemistry or instrumentation support.
- Experience developing and optimizing small‑molecule analytical methods, including complex assay design and validation.
- Familiarity with managing and maintaining analytical instrumentation such as FPLC, HPLC, LC‑MS, and SPR systems.
- Experience with protein expression and purification workflows that interface with chromatography and analytical characterization.
- Strong understanding of analytical chemistry and biophysical principles and their application to protein design, enzyme engineering, and small‑molecule characterization.
- Experience contributing to grant proposals or securing funding for scientific or instrumentation‑related projects.
- Ability to contribute to high‑quality scientific publications and present analytical findings to multidisciplinary research teams.
- Experience implementing or improving automated or high‑throughput analytical workflows.
- Familiarity with data processing environments and software used for large‑scale analytical datasets, including command‑line tools and scripting for data analysis.
Compensation, Benefits and Position Details
Pay Range Minimum:
$90,000.00 annual
Pay Range Maximum:
$108,000.00 annual
Other Compensation:
-
Benefits:
For information about benefits for this position, visit https://www.washington.edu/jobs/benefits-for-uw-staff/
Shift:
First Shift (United States of America)
Temporary or Regular?
This is a regular position
FTE (Full-Time Equivalent):
100.00%
Union/Bargaining Unit:
UAW Research
About the UW
Working at the University of Washington provides a unique opportunity to change lives – on our campuses, in our state and around the world.
UW employees bring their boundless energy, creative problem-solving skills and dedication to building stronger minds and a healthier world. In return, they enjoy outstanding benefits, opportunities for professional growth and the chance to work in an environment known for its diversity, intellectual excitement, artistic pursuits and natural beauty.
Our Commitment
The University of Washington is committed to fostering an inclusive, respectful and welcoming community for all. As an equal opportunity employer, the University considers applicants for employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, citizenship, sex, pregnancy, age, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic information, disability, or veteran status consistent with UW Executive Order No. 81.
To request disability accommodation in the application process, contact the Disability Services Office at 206-543-6450 or dso@uw.edu.
Applicants considered for this position will be required to disclose if they are the subject of any substantiated findings or current investigations related to sexual misconduct at their current employment and past employment. Disclosure is required under Washington state law.