Research Technician at Massachusetts General Hospital(MGH) in Cambridge, Massachusetts

Job Description:

GENERAL SUMMARY/ OVERVIEW STATEMENT:


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.


A position is open for a full-time research technician at the Ragon Institute of MGH, Harvard, and MIT in the laboratory lead by Dr. Galit Alter. The Alter Lab is focused on developing novel systems biology approaches to chart the protective immunological mechanisms that control health and disease. The lab previously developed Systems Serology, a unique tool focused on defining the diverse mechanism(s) by which polyclonal humoral immune responses leverage the innate immune response to combat anti-microbial disease. The laboratory now seeks to extend these technologies to new pathogens and models of health/disease to begin to map both the antigen specificity and immunological mechanisms associated with control deep within tissues. The disease areas of interest include infectious diseases including Tuberculosis, HIV, malaria, respiratory viruses and AMR pathogens, etc., across the ages (from pregnancy, to neonates, to older populations).


To do this exciting work, we are seeking a highly motivated and inquisitive post-Baccalaureate (BA/BS) to join the team, to help develop new systems biology tools to uncover how the immune system combats diseases. This role offers an exciting opportunity for someone eager to dive into groundbreaking research, collaborate closely with a multidisciplinary team, and explore innovative approaches within immunology. The technician will be asked to learn new technologies, to test new approaches, design independent experiments, address technical problems, present results to the group, design follow-up experiments, consult the scientific literature, and maintain well-documented lab records.


As an integral part of our team, the technician will work alongside other technicians, graduate students, post-doctoral fellows, clinical fellows, computational fellows, and senior scientists to support dogma-challenging projects. Ideal candidates should be collaborative, curious, and passionate about learning, with a desire to contribute to creating cutting edge technologies that provide comprehensive insights into how the immune system combats disease.


If you are driven to understand the immune system's mechanisms and are excited to help push the boundaries of immunology and systems biology, we encourage you to apply!



PRINCIPAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:



Please note, the functions below are representative of major duties that are typically associated with these positions. Specific responsibilities may vary based upon departmental needs. Similarly, not all duties that have been outlined will be assigned to each position.

• Prepares routine laboratory procedures as assigned (i.e. - pipetting, cell and tissue culture, etc.)


• Sterile-technique based cell line maintenance


• Blood processing


• Flow cytometry


• Antibody assays (ELISAs, Luminex, MSD, etc)


• Maintains a laboratory notebook


• Understands and applies basic scientific techniques


• Conducts analysis of results and contributes to interpretation of the data


• Actively participates in departmental and lab meetings


• Sets up and prepares 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


• Ensures quality control of experiments and reproducibility


• Flow cytometry and troubleshooting

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.

SKILLS/ABILITIES/COMPETENCIES REQUIRED:

• Ability to work independently and as a team member


• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail


• Computer literacy


• Working knowledge of immunology


• Ability to perform multiple tasks independently


• Excellent documentation skills


• Good interpersonal and communication skills

The Research Technician II should also possess:

• Analytical skills and the ability to resolve technical problems


• Ability to interpret acceptability of data results


• Working knowledge of data management programs


• Demonstrated competence in research techniques and methodologies

Qualifications

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 (if applicable):

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

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