Sr. Research Scientist at Massachusetts General Hospital(MGH) in Cambridge, Massachusetts

Job Description:

Summary:



The Ragon Institute is a highly unique, innovative, and collaborative research center at the forefront of biomedical science. Founded by Massachusetts General Hospital, MIT, and Harvard, the Ragon vision is a bold one: to harness the power of the immune system to prevent and cure human disease on a global scale. This vision is pursued and advanced every day by a group of highly motivated individuals. The Ragon Institute, at every level, depends upon collaboration, compassion, dedication, and innovation. It is a results-oriented organization that seeks people who not only embrace these values but who thrive in teams and want to work in a dynamic environment.


This position is located at the Ragon Institute in Cambridge, MA and is a part of Massachusetts General Hospital, MIT, and Harvard Medical School. We are a results-oriented group of highly motivated scientists from the fields of immunology, virology, genetics, vaccinology, and technology development who perform translational research to treat and prevent HIV. At every level, we value intelligence, teamwork, dedication, and creativity, and we're always looking for people with those skills who thrive in teams and dynamic environments. We are passionate about understanding the relationship between immune responses and HIV in mucosal surfaces within the context of global health and women's health research!


Under the direction of the principal investigator, the candidate will develop and lead a research arm within the Kwon Lab. This will include interviewing candidates, managing and training personnel, planning experiments, running experiments, analyzing results, and communicating findings outside of the lab. The precise focus of the candidate's research arm within the Kwon Lab is open to areas of interest to the group, and could include the vaginal microbiome, host-microbe interactions in the cervicovaginal tract or gut, or mucosal immunology in the cervicovaginal tract or gut. The candidate will be responsible for ensuring that research aims and goals within their arm of the lab are acted upon and met on established timeframes while also managing the growth and development of their team and the greater lab as a whole.



Specific responsibilities include the following:

• Develop hypotheses and research questions related to areas of the lab's interest based on preliminary data and current literature


• Investigate hypotheses and research questions, with a goal to produce high quality and impactful research for publication


• Conduct literature review to identify most appropriate methods for pursuing research goals


• Communicate results both within the lab in the form of lab meeting presentations and beyond the lab as publications and conference presentations


• Assist principal investigator in developing strategic direction for lab planning


• Perform administrative duties related to lab management and culture development


• Supervise and mentor students and technicians working within the established research arm, with a focus on personal growth and transitioning toward research independence


• Maintain accurate documentation related to sample shipments, sample processing, experimental procedures, and data management


• Actively promote a welcoming and collaborative lab culture within the Kwon Lab


• When appropriate, apply for outside sources of funding relating to the identified research questions


• Assist in coordinating the collection, processing, storage, and transport of related samples from lab members and collaborators in South Africa

Qualifications

Qualifications:



Minimum Qualifications

• Doctorate degree with 3 or more years of immunology and/or microbiology experiences, or a master's degree with 6 or more years of immunology and/or microbiology experience


• Mentoring experience in a laboratory setting

Preferred Qualifications

• Prior experience with common molecular biology techniques, including DNA/RNA extraction, PCR, library preparation, etc


• Prior experience with small animal studies


• Prior experience working with clinical samples

Expectations

• Demonstrate integrity, excellence, accountability, and teamwork in all professional interactions


• Good oral and written communication skills


• Ability to maintain organized, details, and up-to-date documentation


• Strong interest in human immunology and/or microbiome

EEO Statement

Massachusetts General Hospital is an Affirmative Action Employer. By embracing diverse skills, perspectives and ideas, we choose to lead. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religious creed, national origin, sex, age, gender identity, disability, sexual orientation, military service, genetic information, and/or other status protected under law. We will ensure that all individuals with a disability are provided a reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Apply Now