Research Technician - Microbiology & Enzymology

Harvard University; Cambridge (MA); On-site; USD 52,000 - 64,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision coverage

Retirement plans

Parental leave

Tuition assistance

Commuter benefits

Job summary

Harvard University’s Balskus lab is seeking a research technician to provide experimental support for a project on bacterial metabolism in the vaginal microbiome. You will assist in designing and executing assays, handling anaerobic cultures, and preparing enzymes for testing.

The role emphasizes meticulous data documentation, collaboration with senior scientists, and opportunities to contribute to publications, consortium meetings, and grant reporting.

Qualifications

• Minimum 1 year of full-time biological/chemistry lab experience.
• Experience with biochemical assays and evaluating bacterial growth.
• Degree in microbiology, molecular biology, biochemistry or related field preferred; glycobiology desirable.

Responsibilities

• Assist in designing and executing assays to assess anaerobic bacterial growth or enzymatic activity.
• Inoculate and maintain anaerobic cultures from freezer stocks for assays.
• Prepare and sterilize growth media and assist with enzyme expression/purification.
• Analyze samples using LC-MS/MS, qPCR, RNA-Seq and biochemical assays; report results.
• Document research activities and manage data; help train other lab members.
• Order lab supplies, process invoices, and assist with sample shipping/transfer.

Skills

Biochemical assays

Laboratory teamwork

Scientific writing

Education

Bachelor's degree in microbiology/biochemistry or related field

Tools

LC-MS/MS

qPCR

RNA-Seq

Job description

Harvard University’s Balskus lab is seeking a research technician to provide experimental support for a project on bacterial metabolism in the vaginal microbiome. You will assist in designing and executing assays, handling anaerobic cultures, and preparing enzymes for testing.

The role emphasizes meticulous data documentation, collaboration with senior scientists, and opportunities to contribute to publications, consortium meetings, and grant reporting.