Research Assistant -Joslin Diabetes Center

Beth Israel Lahey Health; Boston (MA); Hybrid; USD 21,000 - 33,000; Full time

Job summary

Beth Israel Lahey Health is seeking an on-site Research Assistant for the Kostic Laboratory to perform bench experiments spanning bacterial culture, cellular immunology, and animal studies.

You will culture cells, purify extracellular vesicles, and analyze samples with standard immunology assays, while maintaining meticulous records and compliant workflow. Entry-level role with supportive training and growth potential.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in biology, biochemistry, immunology, microbiology, or related field; entry level.
• Hands-on lab research experience required (undergrad research, thesis, or similar).
• Familiarity with data-analysis tools and sterile technique is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Culture bacterial strains and purify extracellular vesicles.
• Characterize EVs using NTA, EM, endotoxin testing; prepare for MS.
• Culture primary immune cells and perform functional immunology assays.
• Support in vivo mouse studies and record-keeping across long-running studies.
• Process human PBMCs and perform cell-based assays on human samples.
• Maintain records in electronic lab notebook and manage reagents.

Skills

Laboratory skills

Attention to detail

Record-keeping

Independent learner

Team collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in biology/biochemistry/immunology/microbiology

Tools

FlowJo

GraphPad Prism

R/Python

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 – $24.00The 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### **Job details*** **Employment:** Full-time* **Hours/Week:** 40* **Shift:** Day* **Category:** Academic Research* **Pay Range:** $15.00 - $24.00* **FLSA:** Non-Exempt* **Req ID:** JR104556