Research Technician

danafarber; Boston (MA); On-site; USD 42,000 - 64,000; Full time

Job summary

Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in Boston is seeking a Laboratory Support role to assist scientists with research, development, and clinical tasks. You will help set up, operate, and maintain instruments, monitor experiments, and record results with precision.

The position emphasizes attention to detail, strong communication, and teamwork while contributing to groundbreaking cancer research and patient care in a collaborative environment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in biology or chemistry required.
• Ability to analyze information and record results accurately.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Set up, adjust, calibrate, clean, maintain and troubleshoot equipment.
• Prepare supplies and work areas; may order supplies and coordinate with vendors.
• Conduct standardized biological, microbiological or biochemical tests and collect samples.
• Isolate, identify and prepare specimens for examination.
• Analyze data and write reports; may contribute to publications.
• Maintain detailed notebook of all work activities and ensure safety compliance.

Skills

Biology knowledge

Chemistry knowledge

Communication skills

Attention to detail

Teamwork

Education

Bachelor's degree in biology or chemistry

Job description

The positions in this job family will assist scientists in performing scientific research, development and/or clinical tasks of varying complexity. In general, they will assist in the set up, operation and maintenance of laboratory instruments and equipment, monitoring experiments, making observations and calculating and recording results.

Located in Boston and the surrounding communities, Dana‑Farber Cancer Institute is a leader in life changing breakthroughs in cancer research and patient care. We are united in our mission of conquering cancer, HIV/AIDS, and related diseases. We strive to create an inclusive, diverse, and equitable environment where we provide compassionate and comprehensive care to patients of all backgrounds, and design programs to promote public health particularly among high‑risk and underserved populations. We conduct groundbreaking research that advances treatment, we educate tomorrow's physician/researchers, and we work with amazing partners, including other Harvard Medical School‑affiliated hospitals.

Key Responsibilities

• Set up, adjust, calibrate, clean, maintain and troubleshoot equipment
• Clean, maintain and prepare supplies and work areas and may be responsible for ordering of supplies. Collaborates with Purchasing and may be responsible for negotiating with vendors
• Conduct standardized biological, microbiological or biochemical tests and laboratory analyses, including the collection of information and samples from organic substances, such as blood, drugs, and animals
• Isolate, identify and prepare specimens for examination
• Analyze experimental data and interpret results to write reports and summaries of findings, including grant preparation and presentations, and look for opportunities to co‑author publications. May be expected to participate in formal and information presentations of results to staff
• Participate in grant application process and manuscript preparation as required
• Maintains detailed notebook of all work‑related activities
• Monitors laboratory work to ensure compliance with Environmental Health and Safety information as well as the standard operation procedures specific to each laboratory
• Expected to provide intellectual and interactive commitment to position by keeping up with appropriate literature and research publications
• May be responsible for the development, modification and improvement of standard operating procedures
• Uses computers, computer‑interfaced equipment, robotics or high‑technology applications to perform work duties
• May be responsible for designing and executing advanced experiments and setting strategy
• May be responsible for the examination of animals and specimens to detect the presence of disease or other problems
• May be responsible for monitoring laboratory budgets

Knowledge, skills, and abilities required

Knowledge of information and techniques related to either biology, chemistry, or medicine is preferred Must have excellent communication skills (written and verbal) and be able to work with a wide variety of faculty and staff Ability to analyze information and use logic to address work‑related issues and problems Must have attention to detail and be thorough in completing work tasks Ability to work within a team environment

Minimum job qualifications

The position requires a bachelor's degree, preferably in biology or chemistry, with no prior professional experience necessary. Candidates will learn and apply technical principles, processes, and concepts, use institutional policies to address routine issues, and work on problems of limited scope. The role involves following standard practices to analyze situations or data and building stable internal working relationships.

Supervisory responsibilities

No supervisory responsibilities. Normally receives detailed instructions on all work.

Patient contact

None

At Dana‑Farber Cancer Institute, we work every day to create an innovative, caring, and inclusive environment where every patient, family, and staff member feels they belong. As relentless as we are in our mission to reduce the burden of cancer for all, we are committed to having faculty and staff who offer multifaceted experiences. Cancer knows no boundaries and when it comes to hiring the most dedicated and compassionate professionals, neither do we.

Equal opportunity employer statement

Dana‑Farber Cancer Institute is an equal opportunity employer and affirms the right of every qualified applicant to receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender identity or expression, national origin, sexual orientation, genetic information, disability, age, ancestry, military service, protected veteran status, or other characteristics protected by law.

Salary range

The hiring range is based on market pay structures, with individual salaries determined by factors such as business needs, market conditions, internal equity, and based on the candidate'