Research Assistant I

Boston Children's Hospital; Boston (MA); On-site; USD 52,000 - 66,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible schedules

Health insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

403(b) Retirement Savings plan

Tuition and Certification Reimburse

Job summary

Boston Children’s Hospital is seeking a full-time Technician in the Smith Lab of the Vascular Biology Program, Department of Surgery. The role involves independent bench research focusing on neurosurgical diseases, stroke, and brain tumors, in collaboration with postdoctoral fellows.

The candidate will perform a variety of routine lab experiments, including animal work, molecular biology, and cell culture, with emphasis on safety and protocol adherence.

Qualifications

• BS or BA in biology, molecular biology, cell biology, chemistry or a related discipline.
• Laboratory experience in several of the listed techniques is required; working in a lab preferred.
• Strong written and spoken English skills.
• Excellent interpersonal, problem-solving, communication and organizational skills.
• Flexibility, motivation, and ability to work independently.
• Willingness to take on multiple projects simultaneously.
• Minimum commitment of two years.

Responsibilities

• Independently perform routine laboratory experiments and procedures per prescribed protocols.
• Carry out animal work including induction of brain tumors and evaluating therapeutics in mice.
• Execute molecular biology techniques (Western blot, protein electrophoresis, immunohistochemistry, ELISA, DNA isolation, qPCR).
• Culture primary and immortalized cells and manage lab supplies and organization.
• Troubleshoot procedures and ensure compliance with safety and protocols.
• Maintain records of results and methods; manage equipment and lab space.

Skills

English proficiency

Laboratory skills

Independent work

Time management

Education

BS/BA in biology or related

Tools

Western blot

Immunohistochemistry

qPCR

Job description

Position Summary

A full-time research position is available as a Technician in the Smith Lab in the Vascular Biology Program at the Department of Surgery, Boston Children's Hospital. The candidate will carry out independent bench research in close partnership with postdoctoral fellows and the Pl. The candidate will be using a combination of techniques to better understand how to treat neurosurgical disease, with a focus on stroke conditions and brain tumors.

Key Responsibilities

• Animal work: Induction of brain tumors, and evaluation of candidate therapeutics in mice.
• Molecular Biology: Western blot, protein electrophoresis and staining, immunohistochemistry, ELISA, DNA isolation, qPCR, and similar techniques.
• Cell culture: Isolation and culture of primary and immortalized cell types.
• Lab Management: Supply inventory and ordering, lab organization
• According to prescribed protocols and assigned schedules, performs a variety of routine laboratory experiments and procedures, utilizing standard laboratory equipment, recording and checking results for completeness and accuracy.
• Assists in troubleshooting procedures if experimental results are unexpected or quality of specimens is poor.
• Performs the following techniques typically required for the laboratory/study:Maintains records of results and methodologies in a log of work performed.Maintains equipment, lab area, and supplies in a neat professional manner.
• Sterilize and clean glassware, and prepare media and other materials using appropriate procedures.Inventories supplies, alerts supervisor to needed supplies, or mixes standard reagents.
• Processes order for supplies and/or animals. Attends courses in safety procedures for handling, storage, and disposal of biohazardous, flammable, corrosive, and toxic materials.Carries out all laboratory activities in compliance with applicable regulations and protocols.
• Conducts literature searches and reviews, compiling information for journals and suggesting uses for new techniques to the P.I.

Minimum Qualifications

Education

• BS or BA in biology, molecular biology, cell biology, chemistry or a related discipline.

Experience

• Laboratory experience in several of the above techniques is required, with experience outside of laboratory classwork (i.e., in a working laboratory) preferred.
• Strong written and spoken English skills.
• Excellent interpersonal, problem-solving, communication and organizational skills.
• Flexibility, motivation, and ability to work independently.
• Willingness and ability to take on multiple projects simultaneously.
• A minimum commitment of two years is required.

The posted pay range is Boston Children’s reasonable and good-faith expectation for this pay at the time of posting.

Any base pay offer provided depends on skills, experience, education, certifications, and a variety of other job-related factors. Base pay is one part of a comprehensive benefits package that includes flexible schedules, affordable health, vision and dental insurance, child care and student loan subsidies, generous levels of time off, 403(b) Retirement Savings plan, Pension, Tuition and certain License and Certification Reimbursement, cell phone plan discounts and discounted rates on T-passes. Experience the benefits of passion and teamwork.