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Department of Medicine: Metabolism has an outstanding opportunity for a Research Scientist/Engineer 1.

Describe the field of research this position is engaged in:
Obesity and Diabetes

Describe the purpose of the research project(s) this position supports:
To support rodent metabolic services provided by the NIH funded Nutrition Obesity Research Center at the University of Washington as well as studies examining the role of the brain in the control of energy balance and blood glucose in the Schwartz/Morton/Scarlett laboratory

Describe the position’s major duties and responsibilities:
The major duties of this position include supporting the performance of rodent metabolic studies as part of services offered by the NIH-funded Nutrition Obesity Research Center Energy Balance Core and within the Schwartz/Morton/Scarlett laboratory at the University of Washington.  Specifically, this position will include the performances of indirect calorimetry studies, body composition analysis, thermoregulation and running wheel studies. Additional duties include the performance of standard rodent behavioral and metabolic phenotyping, handling and injections, and the performance of routine biological assays. In addition to the recording, collection, organization, analysis and interpretation of data, this position will also be responsible for the upkeep and maintenance of equipment and have some administrative responsibilities. This position requires strong problem-solving skills with oversight.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

EXPERIMENTAL PROCEDURES (85%)

•Perform body composition analysis, as well as indirect calorimetry, thermoregulation and running wheel studies in both mice and rats
•Ensure the upkeep and maintenance of state-of-the-art equipment
•Perform standard behavioral and metabolic phenotyping (GTT, ITT, etc) and feeding studies
•Perform injections (SC, IP, ICV) and routine rodent handling and monitoring
•Sterile rodent surgery (mouse and rat), including but not limited to osmotic minipump and temperature transponder implantation
•Processing of blood and tissue samples and running routine biological assays
•Transcardial perfusion fixation
•Ensuring that relevant rodent procedure spaces are in compliance with IACUC and EH&S and responsible for coordinating and conducting surveys
•Record, collect, organize, analyze, interpret and present data
•Assist with NORC Energy Balance Core services requests and lab projects and experiments as needed, priority of which to be determined by the supervising PI

ADMINISTRATIVE DUTIES (15%)

•Routine inventory and purchases of general use items for studies
•Maintenance, calibration and testing of equipment
•Act as contact for comparative medicine staff (vivarium/animal related issues)
•Participate in IACUC and EH&S inspections, as needed

Research Sponsors/Stakeholders: NIH, DoD


MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:

Bachelors degree in biological science or related field AND 3 months to one year of work related experience.

Equivalent education/experience will substitute for all minimum qualifications except when there are legal requirements, such as a license/certification/registration.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

•Experience with performing behavioral and metabolic measurements in rodents.
•Experience with performing rodent surgical procedures.
•Experience with data collection, recording and organization of data.
•Ability to work both independently and cooperatively with others
•Willing to learn new tasks and adapt to changing lab needs

DESIRED:

•Previous experience working with a team environment.
•Willing to learn new tasks and adapt to changing lab needs


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.