Process Development Associate I - PRISM Cell Pooling

Broad Institute; Cambridge (MA); On-site; USD 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical Insurance

Dental Insurance

Vision Insurance

401(k) Retirement Plan

Paid Holidays

Job summary

The Broad Institute is seeking a Process Development Associate I to support the PRISM team in large-scale tissue culture production and molecular biology operations. You will manage culture of up to 30 cell lines, maintain a 1,000-line cell bank, and execute plate setups for screening campaigns.

Ideal candidates hold a BS/BA in a biology-related field with 1+ year of experience, strong aseptic technique, and excellent communication.

Qualifications

• BS/BA in Biology, Biomedical Engineering or related field.
• 1+ year experience in a biological research environment; mammalian culture preferred.
• Experience with basic molecular biology techniques (PCR, DNA extraction).
• Excellent written and oral communication; strong teamwork.
• Detail-oriented with thorough record-keeping and documentation.

Responsibilities

• Manage cell culture for up to 30 cell lines to generate PRISM pools.
• Maintain cell bank of 1,000 lines, barcoding and freezer stocks, inventories.
• Execute large-scale cell plating for production screens.
• Perform molecular biology assays including PCR, DNA/RNA extraction, gel electrophoresis for mycoplasma testing and STR shipments.
• Carry out CTG viability assays as needed.
• Keep comprehensive lab records using electronic notebooks (ELabNext).
• Prepare and maintain stocks of reagents and supplies; manage inventories.
• Perform routine equipment maintenance and update SOPs accordingly.
• Assess quality of PRISM pools using internal data visualization tools.
• Participate in team meetings to share results and align with goals.

Skills

Cell culture

Aseptic technique

PCR

DNA extraction

STR testing

Lab documentation

ELabNext

Teamwork

Communication

Education

BS/BA in Biology or related

Tools

ELabNext

Job description

The Broad Institute of MIT & Harvard is seeking an outstanding candidate for the position of Process Development Associate I within the PRISM team, a component of the Cancer Program. Dedicated to transforming medicine, the Broad Institute works to significantly accelerate the understanding and treatment of disease. As part of this important mission of the Broad, the Cancer Program is advancing the understanding of oncology therapeutics through the systematic profiling of oncology therapeutics using the PRISM technology of large-scale screening of more than 900 cell lines.

To support our mission, we are looking for a motivated and high-energy individual to join the PRISM team to manage daily, large-scale tissue culture production. By leveraging the PRISM technology, we routinely screen over 900 DNA-barcoded cell lines against hundreds of therapies in a pooled format, achieving much greater speed than conventional cell line screening methods. The true capability of PRISM stems from our deep understanding of the baseline and functional genomic characteristics of these cell lines from the Cancer Dependency Map. Each test agent evaluated yields not only viability data but also extensive genomic correlations and multivariate analyses, offering a comprehensive view of drug behavior.

The chosen candidate will be vital to the upkeep of our cell lines and cell line pools, with primary responsibilities centered on supporting scientific research through routine cell culture and molecular biology operations. This Process Development Associate I role necessitates the routine culture of at least 30 cell lines concurrently.

Responsibilities include combining 25 cell lines to generate the pools utilized in our screening processes, maintaining our cell bank of 1,000 cell lines, and plating cell pools for our large-scale screening efforts. Applicants must possess a background in cell culture alongside exemplary aseptic techniques, and uphold high quality standards through precise lab documentation and adherence to standard operating procedures. Strong communication skills are crucial for success within this collaborative team environment.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Manage cell culture for up to 30 cell lines simultaneously to generate PRISM pools
• Maintain our cell bank of 1000 cell lines, including barcoding new cell lines, creating new freezer stocks of cell lines, and regularly updating inventories/databases
• Execute large-scale cell plating for production screens
• Conduct molecular biology protocols and related quality control assays on cell lines, including PCR, DNA/RNA extraction, gel electrophoresis for mycoplasma testing, sequence submission, and STR testing sample shipments
• Execute CTG cell viability assays as needed
• Maintain comprehensive lab records, experimental write-ups, and processing notes using an electronic lab notebook (eLabNext)
• Prepare and maintain stocks of reagents, solutions, and lab supplies and manage inventories
• Perform routine maintenance on lab equipment to ensure optimal equipment functionality (e.g. plate washers, combi liquid dispensers, etc)
• Maintain and update SOPs to accurately reflect any changes in production protocols
• Assess the quality of PRISM cell pools utilizing an internal data visualization tool
• Participate in team meetings to share results, plan projects, and ensure alignment with current team goals

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• BS/BA in Biology, Biomedical Engineering or related fields
• 1 + year experience in a biological research environment, additional experience with mammalian cell culture and aseptic technique is preferred
• Experience with basic molecular biology techniques, including PCR, DNA extractions, etc
• Excellent written and oral communication skills and ability to effectively work as part of a team
• Strong interpersonal, organizational, and analytical skills, including the ability to handle a variety of tasks in a fast-paced environment
• Strong attention to detail, time management skills, and the ability to maintain accurate records and documentation

The Broad Institute will not offer visa sponsorship for this opportunity.

The expected base pay range for this position as listed above is based on a 40 hour per week schedule. Broad provides pay ranges representing its reasonable and good faith estimate of what the organization reasonably expects to pay for a position at the time of posting. Actual compensation will vary based on factors including but not limited to, relevant skills, experience, education, qualifications, and other factors permissible by law.

At Broad, your base pay is just one part of a comprehensive total rewards package. From day one, this role offers a competitive benefits package including medical, dental, vision, life, and disability insurance; a 401(k) retirement plan; flexible spending and health savings accounts; at least 13 paid holidays; winter closure; paid time off; parental and family care leave; and an employee assistance program, among other Broad benefits.

The Broad Institute is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, national origin, religion, age, color, sex, disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by local, state, or federal laws, rules, or regulations.

Should you need a reasonable accommodation to complete the application or interview process, please contact [e-mail] for assistance.