Research Technician

GENERAL SUMMARY/ OVERVIEW STATEMENT:

The Department of Molecular Biology at MGH is searching for a Postbacc Research Technician looking to gain experience in the lab before moving into graduate school within 1-2 years. Working under the direction of Dr. Sam Wattrus, the technician will perform zebrafish embryo injection and confocal microscopy experiments while managing daily operations of the research laboratory, including maintenance of specialized equipment, updating inventories, and protocols, purchasing and related inquiries. Conducts additional experiments and performs routine and technically advanced assays as needed. Responsible for maintaining relevant zebrafish lines and stocks. Prepares and presents results for presentation and publication purposes.

Wattrus Lab

PRINCIPAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Prepares basic solutions and performs base-level procedures as assigned (i.e. - pipetting, PCR, plasmid cloning, etc.)
• Assists in zebrafish colony maintenance (i.e. basic animal husbandry, mutant and transgenic line organization, etc.)
• Maintains laboratory notebook
• Understands and applies basic scientific techniques
• Conducts analysis of results and may begin interpretation of results
• Sets up and prepares routine experiments as directed
• Prepares lab reagents, chemicals, instruments, and equipment
• May perform independent literature searches
• Assists with organizing materials for publication or presentation
• Maintains and orders supplies

A Research Technician II performs the duties of a Research Technician I (above) and may also:

• Execute protocols of non-routine experiments
• Assist the PI(s) with determining the most suitable methodology
• Perform basic design and modification of protocols
• Calculate, transcribe, and analyze data
• Prepare and present reports
• Organize and summarize acquired data, using scientific and statistical techniques.
• Organize and/or draft material for the preparation of research papers, manuscripts, and other documents for publication and/or presentation.
• Participate in the design of experiments or field work.

EDUCATION:

• Bachelor's degree required.

EXPERIENCE:

• New graduates with some lab experience (via course work, internships, etc.) or those without any prior research experience will be considered for the Research Technician I position outlined above.
• Those with a minimum of 1 year of directly related work experience will be considered for a Research Technician II position.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY:

• A Research Technician II may serve as a team leader to lab assistants and Research Technician I's.

RESEARCH WITHIN THE DEPARTMENT OF MOLECULAR BIOLOGY (MOLBIO)

The Department of Molecular Biology at Massachusetts General Hospital is a part of both the research community of the hospital and the Division of Medical Sciences of the Harvard Graduate School of Arts and Sciences. All Molecular Biology faculty, postdoctoral fellows and graduate students have concurrent appointments at Harvard, mostly in HMS Genetics. Established in 1982, MOLBIO's mission is to advance knowledge and to improve human health. Operating at the frontiers of fundamental and translational molecular biology, MOLBIO provides an environment that allows scientists to push the limits of knowledge. It offers premier training conditions for early-career researchers, to launch careers in academia, industry, and government. Members of the Department carry out basic genetic and molecular biological research on a variety of topics. At present, approximately 170 people onsite, including 17 faculty and over 100 postdoctoral fellows, and about 30 graduate students comprise the department. Research at MOLBIO includes organelle biogenesis, chromatin biology, brain signaling, 3D genome organization, mitochondrial biology and disease, neuroscience, innate and adaptive immunity, micro-RNA and small RNA pathways, and biophysical mechanisms of developmental disorders.

Please visit http://molbio.mgh.harvard.edu/ to meet our faculty and learn more about our department.

Massachusetts General Hospital was established to provide care to Boston's sick, regardless of socioeconomic status, and became the first teaching hospital of Harvard University's medical school. We have remained at the forefront of medicine and biomedical research by fostering a culture of collaboration and education, pushing the boundaries of scientific research, and maintaining a commitment to the diverse community we were created to serve. MOLBIO has established an active Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Committee and manager. We seek new department members in all capacities who have the interest and drive to continuously enhance our workplace culture. We believe that the most impactful science will be done by creating an environment where people of diverse backgrounds feel a sense of belonging. When you become a member of the Department of Molecular Biology, you join undergraduate students, graduate students, post-doctoral fellows, facilities and research support staff, administrative staff, technicians, and faculty from around the world that are invested in creating a welcoming, collaborative, and innovative scientific environment.

LOCATION & ACCESSIBILITY

The Molecular Biology Department, located at 185 Cambridge Street in Boston, Massachusetts in the Simches Research Building, remains ideally located for commuters off the red line. Many employees use the public transportation (MBTA) system to reach work.

Massachusetts General Hospital is an Equal Opportunity Employer. By embracing diverse skills, perspectives and ideas, we choose to lead. Applications from protected veterans and individuals with disabilities are strongly encouraged.