Research Assistant

Joslin Diabetes Center, Inc.; United States; On-site; USD 21,000 - 33,000; Full time

Job summary

Beth Israel Lahey Health’s Kostic Laboratory is seeking a Research Assistant for on-site work in Massachusetts. You will perform bench experiments spanning bacterial culture, immunology, and animal studies, and ensure accurate execution and documentation of all work.

Entry-level candidates with a Bachelor's in biology or related field and hands-on lab experience are encouraged to apply. The role emphasizes careful record-keeping, independence after training, and collaboration within a small team.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in biology, biochemistry, immunology, microbiology, or a related field; entry-level with hands-on lab experience.
• Demonstrated reliability, organization, and attention to detail with track record of meeting deadlines.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a small research team.

Responsibilities

• Culture bacterial strains (anaerobic where needed) and purify extracellular vesicles using tangential-flow filtration and SEC.
• Characterize EVs by NTA, EM, and endotoxin testing; prepare samples for mass spectrometry.
• Culture mouse BM-derived dendritic cells and human monocyte-derived dendritic cells; perform functional immunology assays (cytokines, flow cytometry).
• Support in vivo mouse studies, dosing by oral gavage, weekly glucose monitoring, and meticulous record-keeping.

Skills

Lab techniques

Immunology basics

Cell culture

Mouse handling

Documentation

Education

Bachelor's degree in biology/biochem/immunology/m microbiology

Tools

FlowJo

GraphPad Prism

ELISA

Job description

When you join the growing BILH team, you're not just taking a job, you’re making a difference in people’s lives. The Research Assistant is a full‑time, on‑site laboratory position in the Kostic Laboratory, which studies how gut bacteria and bacterially derived extracellular vesicles influence the immune system in type 1 diabetes. The Research Assistant performs bench experiments spanning bacterial culture, cellular immunology, and animal studies, and is responsible for the accurate execution and documentation of that experimental work.

Job Description

Responsibilities

• Culture bacterial strains, including under anaerobic conditions, and purify bacterial extracellular vesicles (EVs) by tangential‑flow filtration and size‑exclusion chromatography.
• Characterize purified EVs by nanoparticle tracking analysis, electron microscopy, and endotoxin (LAL) testing, and prepare samples for mass spectrometry.
• Culture primary immune cells, including mouse bone marrow‑derived dendritic cells and human monocyte‑derived dendritic cells.
• Perform functional immunology assays, including cytokine ELISAs and multicolor flow cytometry, to measure immune and regulatory T cell responses.
• Support in vivo mouse studies, including scheduled dosing by oral gavage, weekly blood glucose monitoring, and accurate record‑keeping across the full course of long‑running studies.
• Harvest and process tissues, including spleen and pancreatic lymph nodes, for immunophenotyping, and assist with downstream flow cytometry and histology.
• Conduct all animal work in strict compliance with approved IACUC protocols and applicable institutional safety and regulatory requirements.
• Process human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from healthy donors and donors with type 1 diabetes and perform cell‑based assays in human samples.
• Maintain meticulous, contemporaneous records in an electronic laboratory notebook.
• Prepare reagents and buffers, manage sample inventory, and help maintain shared laboratory equipment.
• Organize, analyze, and summarize experimental data using standard analysis software (e.g., FlowJo, GraphPad Prism).
• Other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in biology, biochemistry, immunology, microbiology, or a related scientific field, or equivalent knowledge and experience. Entry level. Prior hands‑on laboratory research experience is required, which may include undergraduate research, a thesis project, a post‑baccalaureate research program, or a previous laboratory position.
• Preferred: prior mouse‑handling experience (oral gavage, injections, blood collection, dissection); experience with flow cytometry, cell or tissue culture and sterile technique, or ELISA; exposure to anaerobic bacterial culture, extracellular vesicle or nanoparticle characterization (NTA, electron microscopy), chromatography (FPLC/SEC), or standard molecular biology (PCR, Western blot).
• Demonstrated reliability, organization, and attention to detail, including a track record of taking ownership of assigned work and consistently meeting deadlines.
• Accurate, thorough record‑keeping and clear written and verbal communication.
• Ability to work independently following training, and to work collaboratively within a small research team.
• Ability and willingness to work with mice, human blood samples, and biohazardous materials; training is provided.
• Preferred: familiarity with data‑analysis tools such as FlowJo, GraphPad Prism, R, or Python.

Pay Range: $15.00 - $24.00 The pay range listed for this position is the base hourly wage range the organization reasonably and in good faith expects to pay for this position at this time. Actual compensation is determined based on several factors, that may include seniority, education, training, relevant experience, relevant certifications, geography of work location, job responsibilities, or other applicable factors permissible by law. Compensation may exceed the base hourly rate depending on shift differentials, call pay, premium pay, overtime pay, and other additional pay practices, as applicable to the position and in accordance with the law.

As a health care organization, we have a responsibility to do everything in our power to care for and protect our patients, our colleagues and our communities. Beth Israel Lahey Health requires that all staff be vaccinated against influenza (flu) as a condition of employment.

More than 35,000 people working together. Nurses, doctors, technicians, therapists, researchers, teachers and more, making a difference in patients' lives. Your skill and compassion can make us even stronger.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Veterans/Disabled At Beth Israel Lahey Health, we are driving the change in health care that Massachusetts wants and needs. Our culture promotes continuous learning, growth, innovation and a sense of belonging.

We make it a priority to offer comprehensive compensation and benefits and help you achieve a healthy and balanced life. While you're busy caring for and supporting our patients, we take care of you.