Research Technician - Horvitz Lab

HHMI; Cambridge (MA); On-site; USD 26,000 - 33,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive compensation & benefits

Multidisciplinary research environment

Mentorship for career growth

Research publications potential

Job summary

HHMI invites applications for a Research Technician in the Horvitz lab at MIT in Cambridge, MA. The role supports work on cellular fate and programmed cell death in C. elegans, with genetic, molecular, and imaging approaches.

This fixed-term position offers opportunities to contribute to publications and professional growth. The candidate will perform mutagenesis screens, strain creation, cloning, microscopy, and data analysis while maintaining rigorous documentation and safety practices in a

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree with a strong academic record.
• Completed coursework in biology, statistics, genetics, molecular biology, biochemistry, and/or cell biology.
• Experience in a research laboratory beyond coursework and ambition to become a professional biological researcher.
• Strong organizational, critical-thinking, time-management, and communication skills; rigorous documentation.
• Preferred: experience with molecular cloning; basic computational skills; C. elegans experience.

Responsibilities

• Mutagenesis screens.
• C. elegans strain creation (genetic crosses, CRISPR, transgenesis, PCR genotyping).
• Molecular cloning.
• Microscopy (imaging fluorescent proteins in C. elegans).
• Data analysis (image processing, statistics).
• C. elegans husbandry (animal maintenance).
• Assist with general laboratory maintenance.

Skills

Lab experience

Molecular biology knowledge

Molecular cloning (preferred)

Computational skills (ImageJ, Word, PP

C. elegans familiarity (preferred)

Strong communication skills

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Coursework in biology, statistics, genetics, molecular biology, biochemistry, or cell biology

Tools

ImageJ

Microsoft Word

PowerPoint

Excel

Job description

About the Role:

The Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI) advances the discovery and sharing of scientific knowledge to benefit us all. As a biomedical research organization and philanthropy, HHMI supports a vibrant community of academic researchers, educators, students, and professionals. Together, we are unlocking the fundamentals of biology and building an open, inclusive future for science.

We are actively seeking a Research Technician to join the laboratory of Dr. H. Robert Horvitz at Massachusetts Institute of Technology in Cambridge, MA.

This individual will join an integrative team studying molecular mechanisms of cellular fate determination and programmed cell death using the nematode roundworm Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans). The team uses genetic, molecular, cell biological, and behavioral approaches. More information can be found at the following website: https://biology.mit.edu/profile/h-robert-horvitz

It is a fixed-term position with an anticipated end date not to exceed August 31, 2027, aligned with current HHMI funding for the lab.

What We Provide

• A competitive compensation package with comprehensive health and wellness benefits
• The opportunity to join a vibrant research community at MIT
• Close collaboration with an interactive, multidisciplinary team of scientists, with opportunities to contribute to research publications
• Career mentorship to support professional growth and help you achieve your long-term goals
• An excellent opportunity for individuals considering graduate school, with potential for meaningful research contributions and authorship.

What You Will Do:

• Mutagenesis screens
• C. elegans strain creation (genetic crosses, CRISPR, transgenesis, PCR genotyping, etc.)
• Molecular cloning
• Microscopy (e.g., imaging fluorescent proteins in C. elegans)
• Data analysis (image processing, quantification, statistics, etc.)
• C. elegans husbandry (animal maintenance, etc.)
• Assist with general laboratory maintenance

What You Bring:

• Bachelor’s degree, with a strong academic record
• Completed coursework in biology, statistics, genetics, molecular biology, biochemistry, and/or cell biology.
• Experience in a research laboratory beyond coursework (e.g., experience gained as an undergraduate) and ambition to become a professional biological researcher.
• Demonstrable organizational, critical-thinking, time-management, and verbal and written communication skills; attention to detail, including ability to follow protocols and rigorous documentation skills necessary in a professional laboratory setting; ability to work both with others and independently; and awareness of and ability to follow safety procedures and maintain a safe work environment.
• Preferred: experience with molecular cloning; basic computational skills for data processing and presentation (Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, Excel, ImageJ, etc.); experience with C. elegans would be helpful, but is not essential.

Physical Requirements

Remaining in a normal seated or standing position for extended periods of time; reaching and grasping by extending hand(s) or arm(s); dexterity to manipulate objects with fingers, for example using a keyboard; communication skills using the spoken word; ability to see and hear within normal parameters; ability to move about workspace. The position requires mobility, including the ability to move materials weighing up to several pounds (such as a laptop computer or tablet). Work may involve possible exposure to malodorous vapors, low dose radiation, contamination by toxic chemicals and acids and presence of carcinogenic substances or other hazardous materials.

Persons with disabilities may be able to perform the essential duties of this position with reasonable accommodation. Requests for reasonable accommodation will be evaluated on an individual basis.

Please Note:

This job description sets forth the job’s principal duties, responsibilities, and requirements; it should not be construed as an exhaustive statement, however. Unless they begin with the word “may,” the Essential Duties and Responsibilities described above are “essential functions” of the job, as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Compensation and Benefits

Our employees are compensated from a total rewards perspective in many ways for their contributions to our mission, including competitive pay, exceptional health benefits, retirement plans, time off, and a range of recognition and wellness programs. Visit our Benefits at HHMI site to learn more.

Hiring Pay Range

$19.15 - $23.94

Pay Type:

Hourly

The posted range reflects HHMI’s good faith estimate of the anticipated hiring salary range for this role at the time of posting. Actual hiring compensation is determined by a candidate’s qualifications, experience, and internal equity.

HHMI is an Equal Opportunity Employer

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