Job Description

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 University of Washington, Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology is a broad and dynamic department that strives for a consistent level of high achievement in all of its activities. The Department offers full diagnostic services in all areas of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, is a top ranked research organization as measured by research awards from the National Institutes of Health and offers an array of specialized educational training programs.

The UW Medicine Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology brings together state-of-the-art technology and highly trained, world renowned personnel to provide comprehensive diagnostic and personalized service to physicians, community hospitals, independent laboratories, and other health care organizations. Our operations are based at the University of Washington Medical Center, Harborview Medical Center, South Lake Union, Northwest Hospital and the Seattle Cancer Care Alliance. Faculty members also serve at Seattle Children's Hospital, the Veteran’s Administration Puget Sound Healthcare System, and the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center. These collaborative efforts have generated innovative, translational studies in the basic mechanisms of disease as they apply to diagnostic laboratory medicine and pathology.

The Malaria Molecular Diagnostic Laboratory (Dr. Sean Murphy) has an outstanding opportunity for a 1.0 FTE Postdoctoral Scholar. This full-time, 12-month position has immediate availability for an initial one-year appointment. The position will be renewable annually contingent on performance and available funding. The base salary range for this position will be $5,705/per month ($68,460/annually), commensurate with qualifications and experience.

Postdoctoral scholars are represented by UAW 4121 and are subject to the collective bargaining agreement, unless agreed exclusion criteria apply. For more information, please visit the University of Washington Labor Relations website.

The postdoctoral scholar will contribute to an exciting research program within the Murphy Laboratory (MURPHY LAB - UW - Homehttps://foylab.xyz/). Our lab focuses on studying malaria immunology, developing ultrasensitive diagnostics to support malaria clinical trials & field studies, and developing candidate vaccines. The work of the postdoctoral scholar will focus on clinical diagnostic methods, helping to develop a new assay to detect gametocytes from dried blood spot and whole blood samples.

General Duties:

• Lead the analytical development and validation of gametocyte-specific biomarker targets, including generation of data suitable for regulatory and FDA-submission activities.
• Evaluate and compare the analytical and diagnostic performance of candidate biomarkers and assay configurations.
• Develop and execute project work plans, experimental strategies, and validation studies to support assay optimization and implementation.
• Design, refine, and validate laboratory protocols, standard operating procedures (SOPs), and quality systems for integration of selected biomarkers into existing assay platforms.
• Conduct testing and analysis of clinical, field-derived, contrived, and reference samples to assess assay performance and robustness.
• Design and perform stability, resilience, reproducibility, and other performance characterization studies to support assay development and deployment.
• Collaborate closely with internal and external laboratory partners, field teams, and other project stakeholders to support biomarker selection, assay evaluation, technology transfer, and multi-site studies.
• Train and mentor laboratory personnel, collaborators, and partner organizations in assay procedures, data interpretation, and quality practices.
• Analyze, interpret, and communicate experimental results through technical reports, presentations, publications, and grant-related deliverables.
• Contribute to regulatory documentation, study reports, and other materials supporting assay qualification, validation, and regulatory submissions.
• Identify and implement innovative methodologies, technologies, and approaches to address emerging scientific and programmatic needs.
• Perform other scientific, technical, and project-related duties as assigned in support of program objectives.

The ideal candidate will additionally have experience:

• Demonstrated experience in molecular assay development, optimization, and validation.
• Experience with quantitative nucleic acid detection methods, including PCR, RT-PCR, ddPCR, or related technologies.
• Experience designing, executing, and analyzing laboratory experiments independently.
• Strong analytical, data interpretation, and problem-solving skills.
• Experience developing laboratory protocols, standard operating procedures (SOPs), and technical documentation.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects, meet deadlines, and work effectively in a collaborative research environment.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including preparation of scientific reports, presentations, and manuscripts.
• Experience training, mentoring, or collaborating with laboratory personnel, students, or research partners.
• Demonstrated ability to independently identify scientific opportunities, develop new methodologies, and contribute to evolving research priorities and strategic program needs.

Prior experience with the below are highly preferred:

• Experience with biomarker discovery, evaluation, qualification, or translational research.
• Experience generating data to support diagnostic product development, assay qualification, or regulatory submissions.
• Familiarity with Good Laboratory Practice (GLP), Quality Management Systems (QMS), CAP/CLIA environments, or other regulated laboratory settings.
• Experience conducting analytical performance studies, including assessments of sensitivity, specificity, precision, reproducibility, robustness, and limit of detection.
• Experience testing clinical, field-collected, contrived, or bio-banked specimens.
• Experience with technology transfer, assay harmonization, or multi-site laboratory studies.
• Experience developing training materials and leading technical training for collaborators or partner laboratories.
• Demonstrated success in scientific writing, including peer-reviewed publications, grant reports, and regulatory documentation.
• Experience working with international collaborators and multidisciplinary teams.
• Knowledge of malaria biology, gametocyte detection, vector-borne diseases, infectious disease diagnostics, or global health research.
• Experience working in resource-limited or field-based research settings.
• Demonstrated ability to identify and implement innovative technologies and methodologies to address emerging scientific challenges.

Qualifications

Education requirement, minimum: PhD in molecular biology, microbiology, parasitology, immunology, biomedical sciences, or a related field.

Application Instructions

Applicants should articulate how their past experiences and/or future plans in research teaching, mentoring, patient care and/or service promote a sense of belonging and foster a welcoming and inclusive environment by providing a cover letter or statement of interest. Applicants should send (via Interfolio) their CV, cover letter, and contact information for at least three references addressed to Dr. Sean C. Murphy, Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA – murphysc@uw.edu.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

Equal Opportunity

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.

Benefits Information

The University is committed to providing excellent benefits to our faculty. For a summary of available benefits, please see UWHR benefits information.

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Disability Services

The University of Washington is committed to providing access and reasonable accommodation in its services, programs, activities, education, and employment for individuals with disabilities. To request disability accommodation in the application process, contact the Disability Services Office at 206-543-6450 or dso@uw.edu.