Research Technician, Metabolism and Basic Biology of Aging

The Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy; Boston (MA); On-site; USD 29,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

The Research Technician position at Tufts University’s HNRCA focuses on maintaining Drosophila stocks, performing behavioral and demographic assays, and extracting DNA and metabolites from flies. You will establish an efficient workflow and analyze results with basic statistics, contributing to project discussions with colleagues.

Ideal candidates hold a biology degree with lab experience, strong organization, and the ability to work independently and as part of a team.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in biology or related discipline with at least one year of research experience.
• Up to 1 year of related laboratory experience.

Responsibilities

• Maintains laboratory equipment and orders/keeps inventory of supplies.
• Prepares stock solutions, reagents and other media.
• Manages fly stocks.
• Manages undergraduate lab workers.
• Conducts routine experiments following appropriate protocols and procedures to achieve results.
• Records results and maintains accurate records of experiments.
• Performs sample extraction, DNA extraction, PCR, spectrophotometry.
• Performs limited data interpretation and assists with basic statistics and analysis.

Skills

Organizational skills

Data analysis

Independent work

Education

Bachelor's degree in biology or related discipline

Tools

R

PCR

DNA extraction

Spectrophotometry

Job description

Overview

The mission of the Jean Mayer USDA Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging at Tufts University (HNRCA) is to promote healthy aging through nutrition science to empower people seeking to enjoy long, active, and independent lives. HNRCA investigators conduct the world's most advanced studies on nutrition and aging. The research focuses on determining the nutrient and physical activity requirements necessary to promote well-being for older adults. HNRCA scientists examine how nutrition and physical activity play a major role in the prevention of the major chronic degenerative conditions and diseases associated with aging.

What You'll Do

This position is grant funded and is not eligible for severance pay.

The Research Technician will be responsible for maintaining fly stocks, carrying out behavioral and demographic assays in flies, and isolating DNA and metabolite samples from flies. Establish a robust and standardized pipeline for these activities, including an efficient and well-organized workflow, which may require adapting new assays and reading and interpreting scientific literature. Record test results, analyze data using basic statistics, and maintain laboratory equipment and supplies. Contribute to regular meetings and one-on-one discussions about project design and progress.

• Maintains laboratory equipment and orders/keeps inventory of supplies
• Prepares stock solutions, reagents and other media
• Manages fly stocks
• Manages undergraduate lab workers
• Conducts routine experiments following appropriate protocols and procedures to achieve results
• Records results and maintains accurate records of experiments
• Performs sample extraction, DNA extraction, PCR, spectrophotometry
• Performs limited data interpretation and assists with basic statistics and analysis

What We’re Looking For

Basic Requirements: Knowledge and experience typically acquired by:

• Bachelor's degree in biology or related discipline with at least one year research experience
• Up to 1 year of related laboratory experience

Preferred Qualifications

• Statistical coding experience with R
• Basic understanding of the biology of aging
• Willingness and ability to work independently, and also collaboratively as part of a team
• Very strong organizational skills

Pay Range

Minimum $20.90, Midpoint $24.90, Maximum $28.90

Salary is based on related experience, expertise, and internal equity; generally, new hires can expect pay between the minimum and midpoint of the range.