Research Technician I - Jazayeri Lab

Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI); United States; On-site; USD 26,000 - 33,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits

SFN conference access

Weekly lab meetings

Mentorship

Collaborative environment

Job summary

Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI) invites applications for a Research Technician I in the Jazayeri Lab at MIT. The role is split roughly 50/50 between animal care and wet lab responsibilities, suitable for candidates with a science background who are comfortable with non-human primates and thrive in a fast-paced, interdisciplinary setting.

The position offers hands-on experience in systems neuroscience, with opportunities to learn surgeries, MRI support, and data collection while

Qualifications

• Bachelor's or master's degree in Neuroscience, Psychology, or a closely related life sciences field.
• 0-2 years of research experience as a Research Technician or in a comparable role.
• Complete comfort working with animals — particularly non-human primates.
• Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and time management abilities.
• Self-motivated with strong problem-solving skills and the ability to perform tasks independently after an initial training period.

Responsibilities

• Animal care including feeding, watering, and welfare monitoring.
• Chamber cleaning and maintenance for monkey subjects.
• Behavior observation, training, and data collection.
• Assist with surgeries and provide pre- and post-operative care.
• Assist with MRI procedures under supervision.
• Prepare lab materials and maintain lab equipment.
• Support EHS compliance and lab inspections.
• Record and collect experimental data under supervision.

Skills

Animal care

Data collection

MRI procedures

Surgical assistance

Teamwork

Education

Bachelor's or Master's in Neuroscience/Psychology

Job description

Primary Work Address: 77 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA, 02139

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're unlocking the fundamentals of biology and building an open, inclusive future for science.

Lab Overview

The Jazayeri Lab (Jazlab), led by Dr. Mehrdad Jazayeri at the McGovern Institute for Brain Research at MIT, conducts multidisciplinary research on the neural basis of cognition in humans and animal models — spanning the fields of systems, computational, and cognitive neuroscience. Using cutting-edge brain recording and perturbation tools, the lab studies neural activity as animals perform complex tasks, with the goal of understanding the fundamental mechanisms of how the brain computes and represents information. For more information, visit https://jazlab.org/

About the Role

We are seeking a motivated, adaptable, and team-oriented Research Technician I to join the Jazayeri Lab. This is a fantastic opportunity to support innovative research in a social, collaborative, and supportive environment. The role is approximately 50/50 between animal care and wet lab responsibilities, and is well-suited for a candidate with a science background who is completely comfortable working with non-human primates and thrives in a fast-paced, interdisciplinary setting. This is an excellent opportunity for candidates looking to gain 1-3 years of hands-on research experience before pursuing graduate or professional school. The role is designed as a meaningful stepping stone, and successful candidates will have the opportunity to contribute to ongoing research projects and develop a strong foundation in systems neuroscience.

What We Provide

• A competitive compensation package with comprehensive health and wellness benefits.
• Exposure to a wide variety of research tasks and state-of-the-art experimental techniques in systems neuroscience.
• Potential opportunity to attend the Society for Neuroscience (SFN) annual conference.
• Weekly lab and team meetings to stay connected to the science and the broader research community.
• Mentorship and networking opportunities with Dr. Jazayeri and the broader Jazlab research team.
• A collaborative, interdisciplinary environment working alongside researchers and technicians from MIT and affiliated institutions.

What You’ll Do

Animal Care (~50% of role):

• Provide daily husbandry care for non-human primates (monkeys), including feeding, watering, and general welfare monitoring.
• Perform chamber cleaning and maintenance for monkey subjects.
• Conduct behavior-based observation, training, and data collection.
• Assist with surgeries and provide pre- and post-operative care.
• Conduct or support MRI procedures under the direction of senior researchers.

Wet Lab (~50% of role):

• Prepare lab materials and supplies in accordance with established lab protocols.
• Sterilize supplies and maintain lab equipment to ensure a safe and functional research environment.
• Support environmental health and safety (EHS) compliance, including leading and preparing for lab inspections.

General Research Support:

• Record and collect experimental data under the direction of senior researchers and postdocs.
• Partner with researchers and other technicians in a collaborative, team-oriented capacity.
• Contribute to existing research programs rather than developing independent research projects.

What You Bring

Required:

• A Bachelor's or master's degree in Neuroscience, Psychology, or a closely related life sciences field.
• 0-2 years of research experience as a Research Technician or in a comparable role.
• Complete comfort working with animals — particularly non-human primates — on a regular basis.
• Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and time management abilities.
• Self-motivated with strong problem-solving skills and the ability to perform tasks independently after an initial training period.
• Ability to work effectively with a diverse group of colleagues in a fast-paced, interdisciplinary research environment.
• Flexible and adaptable — comfortable navigating shifting priorities and dynamic lab demands.

Preferred:

• Prior experience in animal care or as a lab technical assistant.
• Familiarity with animal care protocols and IACUC compliance.
• Background or coursework in neuroscience or a related discipline.

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.

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

HHMI is an Equal Opportunity Employer

We use E-Verify to confirm the identity and employment eligibility of all new hires.

Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI) is an independent, ever-evolving philanthropy that supports basic biomedical scientists and educators with the potential for transformative impact. We make long-term investments in people, not just projects, because we believe in the power of individuals to make breakthroughs over time.

To move science forward we need a diverse collection of talents, expertise, and backgrounds in scientific research and science education, as well as communications, finance, human resources, information technology, investments, law, and operations. At HHMI, we encourage collaborative and results-driven working styles and offer an adaptable environment where employees can do their best work. What makes us strong is the diversity of our perspectives. We work to promote a culture of inclusion in our work environments and across the greater scientific community. To find more information about us and the steps we're taking to make HHMI a more inclusive organization, visit our About Us page.

For more information about your rights as an applicant, please review these posters: Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), Know Your Rights, and Employee Polygraph Protection Act (EPPA).