BIODEMOGRAPHY LAB DIRECTOR

BIODEMOGRAPHY LAB DIRECTOR Req #:205517Department:CENTER FOR STUDIES IN DEMOGRAPHY & ECOLOGYJob Location: Seattle Campus Posting Date:04/19/2022 Closing Info:Open Until Filled Salary:Salary and benefits are competitive. Salary is commensurate with qualifications and experience. Shift:First Shift Notes:As a UW employee, you will enjoy generous benefits and work/life programs. For a complete description of our benefits for this position, please visit our website, [click here.](https://hr.uw.edu/benefits/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2018/02/benefits-professional-staff-librarians-academi-staff-20210208.pdf)

*Although open until filled, priority application date is May 2, 2022.* As a UW employee, you have a unique opportunity to change lives on our campuses, in our state and around the world. UW employees offer their boundless energy, creative problem solving skills and dedication to build stronger minds and a healthier world.

UW faculty and staff also enjoy outstanding benefits, professional growth opportunities and unique resources in an environment noted for diversity, intellectual excitement, artistic pursuits and natural beauty.

The Center for Studies in Demography and Ecology seeks a Research Scientist IV with laboratory expertise to serve as the Biodemography Director for the Biodemography Lab and CSDE Scientific Core. CSDE is a population research center at the University of Washington funded by a P2C grant from the Population Dynamics Branch at the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD), with matching funds from the College of Arts and Sciences, the UW Provost's Office, eScience Institute, other UW Schools and Colleges, and faculty affiliate grant proposals. The Biodemography Lab is a 1400 square foot, fully equipped Biosafety Level 2 laboratory capable of supporting large scale human and non-human primate biomarker research.

The Biodemography Director collaborates with and provides methodological support to researchers incorporating biomarker methods into population health research. The position requires advanced laboratory expertise, computational skills related to biomarker measurement and interpretation, and an orientation towards service and facilitation of research. The successful candidate will provide consulting to CSDE-affiliates on biomarker study design; train and supervise CSDE-affiliated students conducting lab work; and collaborate on grant-funded research to implement data collection, execute laboratory assays, and assist with interpretation of assay results. We are especially interested in candidates with experience in field-based human biomarker research, and developing or adapting assays for different biological specimens and scales of research. This position requires exceptional interpersonal, team, and communication skills, flexibility, adaptability, and the desire to learn new skills as needed.

CSDE research staff are encouraged to develop their own area of expertise as well as peer networks within and outside of the UW. The Biodemography Director is expected to take a leadership role in identifying opportunities for independent and collaborative research on topics consistent with the broad scientific goals of CSDE. The Biodemography Director will also have the opportunity to affiliate with the Department of Anthropology, and may teach one or more course(s) per year, contingent on departmental funding and needs. The incoming Director will collaborate on several ongoing, currently-funded projects that incorporate analysis of blood-based immune, metabolic, and hormonal markers of health, stress, and aging.

The first year of the position is supported 100% by CSDE. After the first year, CSDE can provide between 50-70% of funding. The remainder of effort is filled by grant support through work on UW faculty grants or candidate's grants. In any year, CSDE can also provide bridge funding when there are gaps in the timing of grant awards. This model has worked well with existing staff, as it encourages outreach, professional growth, and exposure to new topic areas. Notably, most of our staff have more funding opportunities than they can absorb within a 100% FTE. This position is ideal for a talented person with a PhD seeking a challenging and rewarding non-faculty academic research position, and offers ongoing opportunities for professional development including conference travel, training, and co-authorship in publications.

*DUTIES:*
Identify opportunities for collaborative biomarker research, and support the entire research cycle, including: study design and grant proposal writing; advising on biomarker collection, handling and storage of biological specimen; design and execution of laboratory analysis; interpretation of assay results; and dissemination of results to the scientific community with professional presentations and publications.

Manage Biodemography Lab operations in adherence with UW Environmental Health & Safety regulations, including: chemical handling and waste removal, Biosafety Level 2 lab work, and biohazardous waste removal; supply ordering and inventory; sample storage and repositories; maintenance of lab equipment, assay quality control records, lab protocols, inspection and safety records, training records, and other regulatory documents

Process and analyze biological specimen using in-house and manufactured kits for enzyme and chemiluminescent assays; develop or validate new assays as needed

Manage field equipment library loans for student and affiliate research

Provide training in lab and field biomarker collection methods to CSDE graduate students and collaborating research affiliates; assist in supervising graduate student lab work

Develop new skills and areas of expertise as needed to support faculty research

Facilitate team communication and collaboration

*MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:*
* Education requirement: Master's Degree or higher in social or biological sciences, or equivalent

* Experience requirement: Four or more years of lab experience with a variety of assays and techniques, or equivalent combination of education/experience

*ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:*

* Experience working on a team, desire to work collaboratively

* Ability to communicate effectively with all levels of researchers

* Experience working with faculty and graduate students

* Demonstrated ability to work independently, take initiative, learn new skills, and do outreach

* Experience with writing papers for publication

* Experience writing grant proposals (in whole or part)

*DESIRED:*

* PhD in social or biological sciences

* Experience conducting social science research

* Experience with field biomarker collection

* Experience conducting large-scale human biomarker research

* Experience with assay development

* Experience with lab management

* Teaching, training, and/or mentoring experience

Application Process:
The application process for UW positions may include completion of a variety of online assessments to obtain additional information that will be used in the evaluation process. These assessments may include Work Authorization, Cover Letter and/or others. Any assessments that you need to complete will appear on your screen as soon as you select "Apply to this position". Once you begin an assessment, it must be completed at that time; if you do not complete the assessment you will be prompted to do so the next time you access your "My Jobs" page. If you select to take it later, it will appear on your "My Jobs" page to take when you are ready. *Please note that your application will not be reviewed, and you will not be considered for this position until all required assessments have been completed.*

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](https://app.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=28B.112.080).

Committed to attracting and retaining a diverse staff, the University of Washington will honor your experiences, perspectives and unique identity. Together, our community strives to create and maintain working and learning environments that are inclusive, equitable and welcoming.
[](https://green.uw.edu/inform/esc/policy-statement) The University of Washington is a leader in [environmental stewardship & sustainability](https://green.uw.edu/inform/esc/policy-statement), and committed to becoming climate neutral.
[The University of Washington is an affirmative action and equal opportunity employer.](https://ap.washington.edu/eoaa/) All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, age, protected veteran or disabled status, or genetic information.
To request disability accommodation in the application process, contact the Disability Services Office at 206-543-6450 or [dso@uw.edu](mailto:dso@uw.edu).
COVID-19 VACCINATION REQUIREMENTGovernor Inslee's [Proclamation 21-14.2](https://www.governor.wa.gov/sites/default/files/proclamations/21-14.2%20-%20COVID-19%20Vax%20Washington%20Amendment%20%28tmp%29.pdf) requires employees of higher education and healthcare institutions to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 unless a medical or religious exemption is approved. Being fully vaccinated means that an individual is at least two weeks past their final dose of an authorized COVID-19 vaccine regimen. As a condition of employment, newly hired employees will be required to provide proof of their COVID-19 vaccination. View the [Final candidate guide to COVID-19 vaccination requirement webpage](https://hr.uw.edu/jobs/final-candidate-guide-to-covid-19-vaccination-requirement/) for information about the medical or religious exemption process for final candidates.