Research Associate II – Respiratory Viruses & General Lab Operations

Broad Institute; Cambridge (MA); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision insurance

401(k) retirement plan

13 paid holidays

Paid time off

Job summary

The Broad Institute in Cambridge, MA is seeking a Research Associate II to join the CISID team. The role focuses on studying host interactions with respiratory viruses to develop host-directed therapies with broad antiviral potential.

You will design and execute wet-lab experiments, analyze data in collaboration with scientists, and contribute to protocols, publications, and intellectual property while coordinating with a team across disciplines.

Qualifications

• B.S. with 2+ years of research experience or M.S. with 0+ years preferred.
• B.S. in virology, microbiology, immunology, genetics, or related field.
• Extensive mammalian cell culture experience.
• Hands-on molecular biology and cellular assay development.
• Experience with virological and immunological assays in mouse cells.
• Experience with quantitative data analysis.
• Willingness to work variable hours, including evenings and weekends.
• Curiosity and problem-solving; strong teamwork and communication.
• Ability to adapt to a fast-paced, dynamic environment.

Responsibilities

• Design and execute experiments independently or with the team.
• Support general laboratory management, including maintaining reagents, ordering supplies, and safety.
• Maintain detailed records, documentation, and protocols; share with team.
• Attend weekly team meetings to present results and plan experiments.
• Contribute to publications and intellectual property.
• Collaborate with experimentalists and computational biologists.
• Help establish laboratory protocols and standards.
• Occasional evenings/weekends for time-sensitive assays and animal studies.

Skills

Mammalian cell culture

Molecular biology

Virology assays

Data analysis

Team collaboration

Communication

Flexible hours

Education

B.S. in virology, microbiology, immunology, genetics, or related field

M.S. degree (optional)

Tools

Job description

The Hwang laboratory at the Broad Institute of MIT & Harvard is seeking a highly motivated Research Associate II to join the Center for Integrated Solutions for Infectious Diseases (CISID). The successful candidate will investigate host interaction with respiratory viruses in vivo for the goal of developing host-directed therapy (HDT) against pan-respiratory viruses.

Respiratory viruses represent a major global health burden. The goal of this project is to develop host-directed broad-spectrum anti-viral drugs against respiratory viruses, which can treat infectious diseases from both existing and emerging respiratory viruses. This position will involve participating in designing and conducting wet lab experiments and analyzing data in collaboration with other scientists on our team.

CHARACTERISTIC DUTIES

• Work independently and with team members to design and carry out experiments essential to the individual project and the group’s collective success.
• Design and execute appropriate independent projects with minimal supervision.
• Support general laboratory management, including maintaining shared reagent stocks, ordering supplies, and ensuring adherence to laboratory safety guidelines.
• Maintain flexibility to accommodate experimental schedules, including occasional evening and weekend work as required by time-sensitive assays and animal studies.
• Maintain and share detailed experimental records, documentation, and written protocols with team members.
• Contribute to establishing laboratory protocols and standards for the team.
• Collaborate with a team of experimentalists and computational biologists.
• Attend weekly team meetings to present results and participate in experimental planning.
• Contribute to the generation of publications and intellectual property.

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• B.S. with 2+ years of research experience or M.S. with 0+ years of experience is highly desired.
• B.S. in virology, microbiology, immunology, genetics, or a closely related field.
• Extensive experience with mammalian cell culture.
• Hands-on experience in molecular biology and cellular assay development.
• Solid understanding and hands-on experience in virological and immunological assays, characterizing and modulating primary cells from mice in the presence and absence of infection.
• Experience with quantitative data analysis.
• Willingness and flexibility to work variable hours, including evenings and weekends, when required by ongoing experiments.
• Curiosity in research and creativity in problem-solving.
• A great team member with strong interpersonal and collaboration skills.
• Outstanding verbal and written communication abilities.
• Ability to adapt to and effectively manage changes in a fast-paced and dynamic environment.

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 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.

• 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
• 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.