Staff Scientist

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. 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.

The Rajan Lab in the Basic Sciences Division at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center is seeking a Staff Scientist to join our team investigating how nutrient state and adipose tissue influence brain function and systemic metabolism. We use Drosophila melanogaster as a genetically powerful model system, complemented by molecular, cellular, imaging, and mammalian cell culture approaches, to uncover fundamental mechanisms of inter-organ communication.

About the Lab

Our research program has made key contributions to understanding how adipose tissue signals influence physiology and neural circuits, including:

Identification of the Drosophila ortholog of leptin (Upd2) and its role in systemic energy balance.
• Discovery of novel roles for autophagy-related proteins in controlling adipokine secretion.
• Demonstration that diet-induced metabolic changes in adipocytes alter glial and neuronal function.

The lab is supported by a Maximizing Investigators' Research Award (MIRA, NIGMS), a McKnight Foundation Neurobiology of Disease Award, and other active funding sources.

Opportunities

• Stable, long-term career position with strong funding and a supportive research environment.
• Competitive salary and excellent benefits through Fred Hutch.
• High-impact projects with strong potential for first and co-author publications.
• Opportunities to take leadership roles in manuscripts, mentoring, and grant development.
• Access to world-class core facilities (imaging, genomics, proteomics) and collaborative networks at Fred Hutch and the University of Washington.
• A dynamic, collaborative lab culture where the Staff Scientist will play a central role in shaping research directions.

We Strongly Recommend: You submit a CV, cover letter, and contact information for one to three references with your application. Applications will be reviewed beginning October 2025 and will continue until the position is filled.

The Staff Scientist will:

• Independently lead experimental pipelines in Drosophila melanogaster genetics, stock management, and molecular biology (mandatory requirement).
• Apply and develop molecular profiling approaches (e.g., RNA-seq, TRAP-seq, CUT&RUN) in combination with established behavioral assays (feeding, sleep, energy balance).
• Utilize advanced imaging methods, including confocal and super-resolution microscopy (e.g., STED, SIM, Airyscan), to study mitochondrial biology and organelle contact sites.
• Conduct and supervise experiments in mammalian cell culture systems to complement genetic findings.
• Mentor and supervise junior staff, ensuring strong training, continuity, and lab infrastructure.
• Contribute to project design, data analysis, and manuscript preparation, with opportunities for leadership and co-authorship.
• Collaborate with a multidisciplinary team spanning metabolism, neuroscience, and cell biology, with access to world-class core facilities.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• PhD in Genetics, Neuroscience, Metabolism, Cell Biology, or related field.
• Substantial and documented expertise in Drosophila genetics and experimental approaches (mandatory).
• Strong experience in advanced microscopy.
• Demonstrated record of independent contributions to peer-reviewed publications.
• Hands-on experience with molecular profiling assays (RNA-seq, TRAP-seq, CUT&RUN, or similar).
• Experience mentoring or supervising trainees.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Experience with mammalian cell culture and molecular assays.
• Expertise in mitochondrial biology and organelle dynamics.
• Proficiency with super-resolution imaging techniques applied to questions of cell signaling or organelle communication.
• Demonstrated ability to generate ideas, design experiments, and move projects forward with minimal oversight.
• Interest in contributing to a collaborative, multi-project research environment.

The annual base salary range for this position is from $84,406 to $191,755, and pay offered will be based on experience and qualifications. This position may be eligible for relocation assistance.

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, tuition reimbursement, paid vacation (22 days per year), paid sick leave (up to 30 calendar days per occurrence of a qualifying reason), paid holidays (up to 13 days per year), and paid parental leave (up to 4 weeks).

We are proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) and Vietnam Era Veterans Readjustment Assistance Act (VEVRAA) Employer. 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 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.