Research Scientist, ECE Administration

Boston University; Boston (MA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

Boston University is seeking a Research Scientist to develop and advance cloud lab software, execute complex biological experiments, including mammalian tissue culture, cloning, sequencing library prep, and flow cytometry, and document results in compliant records.

You will collaborate with multi-institutional teams, contribute to grants and publications, mentor junior staff, and ensure procedures remain current with regulatory standards and SOPs.

Qualifications

• Mammalian tissue culture, cloning, sequencing library prep, and flow cytometry experience.
• Strong experimental design and data interpretation skills.
• Ability to document data and workflows in compliant records.

Responsibilities

• Independently design, execute, and troubleshoot complex biological experiments, including mammalian tissue culture, DNA cloning, sequencing library preparation, and flow cytometry workflows. Determine appropriate experimental design, controls, and analytical approaches for assigned projects, and optimize or develop new protocols when existing methods do not meet project requirements or produce inconsistent results. Maintain rigorous records of experimental data, reagent inventory, and equipment logs in compliance with lab and institutional standards so that all work is reproducible, traceable, and available to internal and external collaborators.
• Utilize and contribute to the development of cloud lab software to execute, track, and document experiments in accordance with established lab workflows. Translate bench protocols into structured, machine-readable workflows that can be reliably executed by remote users, automated instrumentation, and software agents, and validate software-directed runs against manually performed results. Provide structured feedback to the software development team on usability, data capture, and error handling, and participate in testing new features and workflow releases before they are deployed to users.
• Collaborate with cross-functional, multi-institutional, and industry team members to plan experimental strategy, interpret results, and contribute to publications and grant materials. Serve as a scientific point of contact for assigned collaborations, coordinating experimental timelines, sample logistics, and data sharing across partner sites and sponsors. Present findings at internal meetings, sponsor reviews, and scientific conferences, and contribute to peer-reviewed manuscripts and other scholarly output.
• Produce preliminary data and prepare technical write-ups, methods descriptions, and figures for grant proposals, progress reports, and sponsor deliverables. Work with the Principal Investigator and research administration staff to ensure that scientific content is accurate, complete, and responsive to sponsor guidelines and submission deadlines. Compile supporting documentation that clearly communicates experimental design, results, and their significance to both technical and non-technical reviewers.
• Serve as a technical resource for junior staff, students, and trainees, providing hands-on mentorship and troubleshooting support to build lab-wide capability. Train new personnel on core laboratory techniques, instrumentation, and safety practices, and confirm competency before independent work is assigned. Review the work of less experienced staff and provide guidance that improves technique, data quality, and adherence to established protocols.
• Maintain SOPs, CLIA-compliant records, testing logs, QC data, and equipment calibration documentation. Draft and revise written procedures as methods and instrumentation change, ensuring that documentation remains current, accurate, and audit ready. Monitor instrument performance and preventive maintenance schedules and coordinate service, repair, and recalibration as needed to keep the facility in compliance with regulatory and institutional requirements.

Skills

Mammalian tissue culture

DNA cloning

Sequencing library prep

Flow cytometry

Experimental design

Data interpretation

Lab record keeping

Mentorship

Cloud lab software

Tools

Cloud lab software

Job description

The salary of the finalist selected for this role will be set based on a variety of factors, including but not limited to departmental budgets, qualifications, experience, education, licenses, specialty, training and internal pay comparison. The above hiring range represents the University’s good faith and reasonable estimate of the range of possible compensation at the time of posting.

Position Type

Full-Time/Regular

The Research Scientist will utilize and contribute to the development of cloud lab software to execute, track, and document experiments in accordance with established lab workflows, and will design, execute, and troubleshoot complex biological experiments independently, including mammalian tissue culture, DNA cloning, sequencing library preparation, and flow cytometry workflows. This role involves maintaining rigorous records of experimental data, reagent inventory, and equipment logs in compliance with lab and institutional standards, as well as CLIA-compliant records, SOPs, testing logs, QC data, and equipment calibration. The Research Scientist will collaborate with cross-functional, multi-institutional, and industry team members to plan experimental strategy, interpret results, and contribute to publications and grant materials, including producing preliminary data and technical write-ups for grant proposals and progress reports. This position also serves as a technical resource for junior staff and trainees, providing hands-on mentorship and troubleshooting support to build lab-wide capability.

Essential Functions:

• Independently design, execute, and troubleshoot complex biological experiments, including mammalian tissue culture, DNA cloning, sequencing library preparation, and flow cytometry workflows. Determine appropriate experimental design, controls, and analytical approaches for assigned projects, and optimize or develop new protocols when existing methods do not meet project requirements or produce inconsistent results. Maintain rigorous records of experimental data, reagent inventory, and equipment logs in compliance with lab and institutional standards so that all work is reproducible, traceable, and available to internal and external collaborators.
• Utilize and contribute to the development of cloud lab software to execute, track, and document experiments in accordance with established lab workflows. Translate bench protocols into structured, machine-readable workflows that can be reliably executed by remote users, automated instrumentation, and software agents, and validate software-directed runs against manually performed results. Provide structured feedback to the software development team on usability, data capture, and error handling, and participate in testing new features and workflow releases before they are deployed to users.
• Collaborate with cross-functional, multi-institutional, and industry team members to plan experimental strategy, interpret results, and contribute to publications and grant materials. Serve as a scientific point of contact for assigned collaborations, coordinating experimental timelines, sample logistics, and data sharing across partner sites and sponsors. Present findings at internal meetings, sponsor reviews, and scientific conferences, and contribute to peer-reviewed manuscripts and other scholarly output.
• Produce preliminary data and prepare technical write-ups, methods descriptions, and figures for grant proposals, progress reports, and sponsor deliverables. Work with the Principal Investigator and research administration staff to ensure that scientific content is accurate, complete, and responsive to sponsor guidelines and submission deadlines. Compile supporting documentation that clearly communicates experimental design, results, and their significance to both technical and non-technical reviewers.
• Serve as a technical resource for junior staff, students, and trainees, providing hands-on mentorship and troubleshooting support to build lab-wide capability. Train new personnel on core laboratory techniques, instrumentation, and safety practices, and confirm competency before independent work is assigned. Review the work of less experienced staff and provide guidance that improves technique, data quality, and adherence to established protocols.
• Maintain SOPs, CLIA-compliant records, testing logs, QC data, and equipment calibration documentation. Draft and revise written procedures as methods and instrumentation change, ensuring that documentation remains current, accurate, and audit ready. Monitor instrument performance and preventive maintenance schedules and coordinate service, repair, and recalibration as needed to keep the facility in compliance with regulatory and institutional requirements.

Required Skills

We are an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, natural or protective hairstyle, religion, sex, age, national origin, physical or mental disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, military service, pregnancy or pregnancy-related condition, or because of marital, parental, or veteran status. We are a VEVRAA Federal Contractor.