Research Technician – Transplant Immunology and Cellular Therapy

Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Inc.; Boston (MA); On-site; USD 48,000 - 51,000; Full time

Job summary

Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Inc. in Boston, MA seeks a highly motivated research technician to join a translational immunology team. You will work on how donor T cells distinguish leukemia from healthy tissue after allo-HCT, with opportunities for co-authorship and presentations.

Training is provided across protocols, with emphasis on cell culture, molecular biology, and immune assays. This role offers exposure to cutting-edge approaches in immunology and cellular therapy, collaboration with

Qualifications

• BA/BS in biology, chemistry, immunology, bioengineering, or related field.
• Experience in molecular biology, cell culture, or immune assays preferred.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Contribute to dedicated research projects with mentorship from senior scientists.
• Design and perform molecular biology, cellular immunology, and biochemical experiments.
• Collect and process human blood and tissue samples.
• Perform immune assays, cell culture, cloning, and gene-engineering workflows.
• Analyze data and assist with interpretation and presentation of findings.
• Participate in laboratory meetings, journal clubs, and presentations.

Skills

Strong communication

Attention to detail

Organizational skills

Education

B.A. or B.S. in biology/chemistry/immunology/bioengineering

Job description

A full-time position is available for a highly motivated research technician to join a growing translational immunology team studying how donor T cells distinguish leukemia from healthy tissues after allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (allo-HCT). Our research aims to decode the molecular basis of alloreactivity — one of the central unsolved problems in transplantation immunology — and to translate these discoveries into next-generation personalized immunotherapies, including engineered CAR T-cell approaches to prevent relapse while minimizing graft-versus-host disease (GvHD).

The laboratory combines cellular immunology, genomics, immunopeptidomics, gene engineering, induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs), and single-cell technologies to identify the antigens recognized by alloreactive T cells and develop novel CAR-based cellular therapies. The technician will work closely with senior scientists and collaborators across Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston Children’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, and the Broad Institute.

Projects may include processing human clinical samples, performing immune assays, cloning T-cell receptors, engineering T cells, and testing novel immunotherapies in preclinical models. The position offers extensive training in cutting-edge experimental approaches and significant opportunities for scientific growth, presentations, and co-authorship on publications. Training is available in all protocols and procedures; prior experience with basic techniques in cell culture and molecular biology is strongly preferred.

As a growing research program, the laboratory offers a highly interactive and mentorship-focused environment where motivated trainees can take on substantial scientific responsibility and gain broad exposure to experimental design, data analysis, and collaborative translational research. Successful candidates will have the opportunity to make meaningful intellectual contributions to projects and participate closely in the development of a young and dynamic research team.

We are a highly collaborative and interdisciplinary team that values scientific curiosity, rigor, creativity, and mentorship. The ideal candidate will be excited to work at the interface of immunology, genomics, and translational medicine in a fast-paced and supportive research environment.

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, educate tomorrow’s physician-scientists, and work with outstanding partners across the Harvard medical community.

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.

The candidate will independently carry out essential research functions in the laboratory, including cellular, molecular, and immunological experiments. Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Contributing to dedicated research projects with close mentorship from senior scientists.
• Designing and performing molecular biology, cellular immunology, and biochemical experiments.
• Collecting and processing human blood and tissue samples.
• Performing immune assays, cell culture, cloning, and gene-engineering workflows.
• Analyzing experimental data and assisting with interpretation and presentation of findings.
• Participating in laboratory meetings, journal clubs, and presentations of scientific results.
• Contributing to manuscript preparation, grant applications, and co-authored publications as appropriate.
• Collaborating with laboratory members and the broader Dana‑Farber/Boston scientific community.
• Maintaining accurate and detailed experimental records.
• Assisting with laboratory organization, equipment maintenance, and ordering of supplies.
• Using high-technology applications, computational tools, and laboratory instrumentation to support research activities.

Qualifications

The ideal candidate should possess strong communication and organizational skills, attention to detail, intellectual curiosity, and the ability to thrive in a collaborative team environment. We are particularly interested in candidates who can commit to at least two years in the position.

This role is especially well suited for candidates considering future graduate, medical, or physician-scientist training (PhD, MD, or MD-PhD programs) and seeking intensive research experience in translational immunology and cellular therapy.

Required Qualifications

• B.A. or B.S. degree, preferably in biology, chemistry, immunology, bioengineering, or a related field.
• Previous laboratory experience strongly preferred, particularly in molecular biology, cell culture, or immune assays.
• Basic knowledge of immunology is preferred but not required.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong attention to detail and organizational skills.
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively within a team environment.

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 inclusiveenvironment 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 compassionateprofessionals, neither do we.

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.

EEO Poster

Pay Transparency Statement

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’s relevant experience, skills and qualifications.

For union positions, the pay range is determined by the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA).

$47,500.00 - $51,300.00