Job Opportunity: Paid Undergraduate Research Assistant Position in Skin Cancer Research

The Nghiem Lab has an outstanding opportunity for two paid undergraduate research assistants! 

We are seeking motivated, enthusiastic undergraduates to assist with general lab duties and translational/clinical studies. Many of the projects involve contact with patients and other healthcare providers. There may also be the opportunity to work under other UW Dermatology faculty members to support their research projects. 

Your duties will include: 

• Collecting data from medical records 
• Maintaining an accurate and up-to-date database 
• Ordering tissue samples from outside pathology labs 
• Stocking the tissue culture room  
• Additional administrative tasks 

About the Nghiem Lab  

The Nghiem Lab is a moderately sized, diverse team with basic, translational, and clinical research projects. The lab primarily studies Merkel cell carcinoma: an uncommon, frequently lethal skin cancer associated with immune suppression, UV exposure, and the Merkel cell polyomavirus (see www.merkelcell.org). Working in this lab environment provides extensive opportunities to interact with scientists, physicians, and clinical research team members. 

The Nghiem Lab’s mission is “to improve cancer patient care by leading Merkel cell carcinoma research and fostering the next generation of compassionate health care and scientific leaders”, and our lab values include honesty, balance, compassion, impact, humility, enthusiasm, and curiosity. We are seeking applicants that resonate with our mission and embody these values. Students that are organized, communicative, collaborative and have a strong desire to learn about the biology and clinical management of cancer are encouraged to apply. 

The lab is located on the UW Medicine South Lake Union (SLU) campus, a 20-minute shuttle ride from the main University of Washington campus. 

Qualifications & Job Details  

We are looking for applicants who are sophomores or freshmen, and we will prioritize students who plan to go into healthcare or biomedical research. Prior research or clinical experience is advantageous but not required. A minimum of ten hours per week is required. Students who can make a two-year part-time commitment during the school year and can work 20-30 hours per week during the initial summer will be prioritized. Currently, some onsite work is required, though certain tasks may be performed remotely.  

The Undergraduate Research Assistant position offers hourly compensation equal to the Washington State minimum. 

Application Process 

Qualified applicants should send a cover letter, resume, and unofficial transcript to the MCC Team (mccteam@uw.edu) with the email title “RA Position Nghiem lab, {your initials}.”

We will be accepting applications until February 26, 2024.