AltPep Corporation is a biomedical company based along Seattle's Lake Union developing groundbreaking detection tools and disease-modifying treatments for amyloid diseases by targeting a novel early molecular trigger: alpha-sheet oligomers. Our lead programs focus on Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases, with other amyloid diseases on the horizon. AltPep’s goal is to change the course of these debilitating diseases that affect over a billion people around the globe.
AltPep draws its origins to Dr. Valerie Daggett's lab at the University of Washington's Bioengineering Department. We are looking for additional team members to join us at our state-of-the-art, headquarters located on the Eastside of Lake Union in Seattle.
About this Role
We are seeking a Research Associate with hands on bench experience and a strong academic background in areas such as chemistry, biochemistry, and analytical chemistry and cell-based studies. You will run experiments with precision and be responsible for work from sample preparation through analysis and interpretation. You will support work across our programs and may work in both the diagnostic and therapeutic areas. AltPep is dynamic company and we are looking for adaptable team members with deep wet-lab experience, who are also willing to learn and study novel approaches and learn new techniques.
What you bring:
- Bachelor's degree in chemistry, biochemistry, bioengineering, molecular biology, or a related field.
- Substantial hands-on wet lab experience either in a research lab or biotech environment.
- Strong fundamental bench techniques, including accurate and reproducible liquid handling, solution and buffer preparation, quantitative dilutions, tissue handling and running cell-based assays.
- A strong academic background demonstrating a willingness to tackle challenging material.
- Meticulous record-keeping abilities and attention to detail. You take pride in work another scientist could reproduce from your notebook alone.
- Ability to conduct quantitative analyses and apply quality control criteria effectively.
- A dynamic and adaptable mindset. You can pick up an unfamiliar technique and move between projects while maintaining high standards.
- Willingness to contribute wherever needed, across chemistry, biochemistry, and biology-facing projects.
What Will Separate You From the Rest:
- 2+ years of post-graduate laboratory experience, with previous biotech industry experience being a plus.
- Multiple years working in an academic research laboratory.
- Experience with peptide and protein handling, characterization, or purification.
- Experience preparing standards, calibrators, and controls for quantitative analysis.
- Experience in a diagnostics setting or another regulated laboratory environment.
- Experience in running quantitative assays and interpreting results against standards and controls.
- Involvement in developing and optimizing methods rather than solely running established protocols.
- Experience with biology bench techniques such as cell culture or tissue handling.
- Synthetic or organic chemistry bench experience.
- Knowledge of Quality Management Systems and controlled documentation.
- A track record of taking on unfamiliar work and getting it right, and of leaving the lab better organized than you found it.
Debilitating diseases such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's affect more than a billion people worldwide. Drawing upon decades of academic research, AltPep was founded to create groundbreaking tools to detect and treat such diseases. Although a young company, AltPep has been recognized for its scientific accomplishments and potential.
While still small and nimble, we have grown to a team of thirty talented individuals dedicated to improving the lives of billions. We continue to grow and are looking for talented people to join the team and help us accomplish our mission.
We offer competitive compensation to those joining our fight. The compensation range for a Research Associate is $81,000 - $95,000, depending on experience. AltPep takes care of its employees and offers generous stock options, medical, vision, and dental coverage for its employees and their dependents. We understand, and value, life outside of work and offer competitive PTO so you can rest and recharge.
Skills Required
- Bachelor's degree in chemistry, biochemistry, bioengineering, molecular biology, or related field.
- Substantial hands-on wet lab experience in a research lab or biotech environment.
- Accurate and reproducible liquid handling and quantitative dilutions.
- Solution and buffer preparation.
- Tissue handling and running cell-based assays / cell culture.
- Meticulous record-keeping and attention to detail.
- Ability to conduct quantitative analyses and apply quality control criteria.
- Willingness to learn new techniques and contribute across chemistry, biochemistry, and biology projects.
- 2+ years of post-graduate laboratory experience or multiple years in academic research.
- Previous biotech industry experience.
- Experience with peptide and protein handling, characterization, or purification.
- Experience preparing standards, calibrators, and controls for quantitative analysis.
- Experience in a diagnostics setting or another regulated laboratory environment.
- Experience developing and optimizing methods (not just running established protocols).
- Synthetic or organic chemistry bench experience.
- Knowledge of Quality Management Systems and controlled documentation.
What We Do
AltPep develops early disease-modifying treatments and detection tools for amyloid diseases by targeting one of the earliest molecular triggers – toxic soluble oligomers. These oligomers are associated with many diseases, including neurodegenerative diseases and type 2 diabetes. Decades of scientific research by the Daggett Research Group culminated in the discovery of a novel protein structure, alpha-sheet, the foundation of our innovative approach. Our lead program aims to identify Alzheimer’s Disease long before symptoms occur and then neutralize the toxic soluble oligomers associated with the disease.
