The Paul Nghiem Lab is a moderately sized, diverse lab with basic, translational, and clinical research projects. They study 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. These interactions and opportunities to lead projects in later years can be very helpful for professional development of undergraduate research assistants in the lab. Their lab is located in SLU at the UW Medical Center, which is a 20 minute shuttle ride away from main campus.
They are seeking a motivated, enthusiastic undergraduate to assist with general lab duties and translational/clinical studies involving maintenance of patient databases and support of clinical trials. Many of their projects involve contact with patients and other healthcare providers. Your duties would involve collecting data from medical records, maintaining an accurate and up-to-date database, ordering tissue samples, stocking the tissue culture room, and performing administrative tasks. There may also be the opportunity to work under other Dermatology faculty members to support their research projects.
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. They are looking for applicants who are sophomores or freshmen, majoring or intending to major in a biological science and have successfully completed some relevant coursework. They 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 a week is required. Students must make a two-year part-time commitment during the school year and full-time during the initial summer. 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. Qualified applicants should send a cover letter, resume, and unofficial transcript to the MCC Team (mccteam@uw.edu) with email title “RA Position Nghiem lab, {your initials}.”
