Senior Research Laboratory Technician

Mass General Brigham; Brookline (MA); On-site; USD 55,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

Mass General Brigham is seeking a Laboratory Technician to support research into gut microbial interactions and autoimmune diseases. This role offers hands-on research experience, focusing on microbial metabolism and the opportunity for career advancement in biological sciences.

Qualifications

• Degree in biological sciences (microbiology, biochemistry, cell biology).
• Experience in microbiology and anaerobic culturing.
• Familiarity with genetic techniques like PCR and metabolomics.

Responsibilities

• Perform bacterial culturing and assays.
• Extract metabolites and analyze using LC-MS.
• Process clinical samples for multi-omics characterization.

Skills

Microbiology

Bacterial culturing

Organizational skills

Communication skills

Independence

Education

Bachelor's or higher degree in biological sciences

Job description

Site: The Brigham and Women's Hospital, Inc.

Mass General Brigham relies on a wide range of professionals, including doctors, nurses, business people, tech experts, researchers, and systems analysts to advance our mission. As a not-for-profit, we support patient care, research, teaching, and community service, striving to provide exceptional care. We believe that high-performing teams drive groundbreaking medical discoveries and invite all applicants to join us and experience what it means to be part of Mass General Brigham.

We are seeking a highly motivated and skilled Laboratory Technician to join our team focused on investigating host-associated microbial metabolism in human health and disease. This position will support a collaboration between a leading academic research lab studying host-microbe interactions, and a clinical research institute studying the pathophysiology of autoimmune GI diseases to develop novel therapeutics. The successful candidate will play a crucial role in conducting basic research experiments, processing clinical samples for multi-omics analyses, and contributing to cutting-edge research aimed at understanding the complex interactions between gut microbes and human health. This position offers a unique opportunity to gain hands-on experience in cutting-edge gut microbiome research and work in a collaborative and supportive environment. This position offers an excellent opportunity for career advancement in the biological sciences, including roles as a technician, lab manager, or pre-doctoral research experience for those pursuing a PhD or MD. Significant career development and mentorship are available.

Job Summary

Primary Responsibilities:
● Anaerobic Microbiology: Perform bacterial culturing, including assays to assess bacterial growth and metabolic activity.
● Metabolite Extraction and Analysis: Extract metabolites from bacterial cultures and characterize using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry.
● Bacterial Genetics: Perform bacterial genetic cloning and recombinant DNA techniques, including PCR, plasmid construction, site-directed mutagenesis, transposon library development and bacterial transformation.
● Clinical Sample Processing: Process patient samples (e.g., stool, biopsies) for multi-omics characterization, including DNA, RNA, Protein, and metabolite extractions.
● Collaboration and Training: This position is expected to train and work with a physician-scientist clinical research fellow, and additionally collaborate with an established postdoctoral research fellow in the lab. A successful candidate will be able to take direction, work independently, and collaborate to solve problems.
Additional Responsibilities:
● Culture Preparation and Maintenance: Prepare and maintain anaerobic and aerobic bacterial cultures, including preparing specialized media for gut microbiome research.
● LC-MS Operation: Operate and maintain LC-MS systems.
● Data Management: Maintain accurate and detailed records of experimental procedures and results.
● Laboratory Maintenance: Ensure the team’s workspace is clean, organized, and stocked with necessary supplies.
● Clinical Study Support (Optional): Assist with clinical studies, including sample collection and obtaining patient consent, if interested and time allows.

Qualifications

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's or higher degree in biological sciences (microbiology, biochemistry, cell biology, or a related field).
• Demonstrated experience in microbiology, preferably including anaerobic culturing techniques.
• Preferred experience in bacterial genetics (PCR, site-directed mutagenesis, and recombinant DNA techniques) and/or metabolomics (mass spectrometry).
• Excellent organizational and time management skills.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
• The successful candidate will be able to take direction, work independently, and collaborate with supervisors to solve problems.

Additional Job Details (if applicable)

Physical Requirements

• Standing Frequently (34-66%)
• Walking Frequently (34-66%)
• Sitting Occasionally (3-33%)
• Lifting Frequently (34-66%) 35lbs+ (w/assisted device)
• Carrying Frequently (34-66%) 20lbs - 35lbs
• Pushing Occasionally (3-33%)
• Pulling Occasionally (3-33%)
• Climbing Rarely (Less than 2%)
• Balancing Frequently (34-66%)
• Stooping Occasionally (3-33%)
• Kneeling Occasionally (3-33%)
• Crouching Occasionally (3-33%)
• Crawling Rarely (Less than 2%)
• Reaching Frequently (34-66%)
• Gross Manipulation (Handling) Frequently (34-66%)
• Fine Manipulation (Fingering) Frequently (34-66%)
• Feeling Constantly (67-100%)
• Foot Use Rarely (Less than 2%)
• Vision - Far Constantly (67-100%)
• Vision - Near Constantly (67-100%)
• Talking Constantly (67-100%)
• Hearing Constantly (67-100%)

Remote Type

Onsite

Work Location

850 Boylston Street

Scheduled Weekly Hours

40

Employee Type

Regular

Work Shift

Day (United States of America)

EEO Statement:

The Brigham and Women's Hospital, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religious creed, national origin, sex, age, gender identity, disability, sexual orientation, military service, genetic information, and/or other status protected under law. We will ensure that all individuals with a disability are provided a reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. To ensure reasonable accommodation for individuals protected by Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Vietnam Veteran’s Readjustment Act of 1974, and Title I of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, applicants who require accommodation in the job application process may contact Human Resources at (857)-282-7642. Mass General Brigham Competency Framework

At Mass General Brigham, our competency framework defines what effective leadership “looks like” by specifying which behaviors are most critical for successful performance at each job level. The framework is comprised of ten competencies (half People-Focused, half Performance-Focused) and are defined by observable and measurable skills and behaviors that contribute to workplace effectiveness and career success. These competencies are used to evaluate performance, make hiring decisions, identify development needs, mobilize employees across our system, and establish a strong talent pipeline.