Technical Assistant I/II - Cheeseman Lab (Relocation Assistance Available!)

Whitehead Institute; Cambridge (MA); On-site; USD 48,000 - 56,000; Full time

Job summary

Whitehead Institute’s Cheeseman Lab seeks a motivated laboratory technician to lead end-to-end optical pooled screens, maintain cell culture, and operate high-throughput microscopy to advance cell biology research.

You will collaborate with a multidisciplinary team, optimize automation workflows, analyze screening data with computational support, and present findings in lab and institute meetings.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in biology or a related field required.
• 2+ years FT laboratory experience required for Technical Assistant II.
• Background in molecular biology or cell biology including microscopy preferred.
• Strong written and oral communication skills; well organized.

Responsibilities

• Own end-to-end optical pooled screens and coordinate with team.
• Maintain cell culture and operate high-throughput microscopy.
• Develop and optimize automation workflows.
• Analyze screening data with computational team.
• Document results and report to supervisor.
• Present findings at meetings and literature review.

Skills

Lab techniques

Written communication

Oral communication

Organization

Education

Bachelor's degree in biology or related field

Tools

Computational analysis

High-performance computing

Job description

Classification:

Exempt

Job Family:

Technicians

Reports to:

Member

Job Description Summary:

ABOUT THE CHEESEMAN LAB - Analyzing Cell Biology at Scale

The Cheeseman lab seeks an enthusiastic and motivated individual with boundless curiosity who is interested in conducting research to probe the inner workings of human cells. The work in the Cheeseman lab is focused on understanding core cell biological questions, including applying fluorescence microscopy and functional genetic strategies to define the requirements for cell division and other cellular processes. Over the past few years, we have conducted pooled cell biological profiling using Cas9-based gene targeting for thousands of genes in human cells, acquiring microscopy-based images for close to a hundred million cells. We have also been at the forefront of both computational and automation advances for optical pooled screens to improve success and throughput. We are recruiting a proactive researcher to contribute to these large-scale cell biology efforts to extend this approach to diverse cell biological markers, cell lines, and different cell states unlocking fundamental new biological discoveries. This collaborative project and our dynamic environment provide strong opportunities for training, growth, and professional development.

OVERALL RESPONSIBILITY

End to end ownership of a variety of optical pooled screens to drive scientific research objectives of the lab. Involves cell culture maintenance, high-throughput microscopy instrumentation, and the use of dedicated fluidics automation to rapidly generate screens. Addresses methodological problems in experimental protocols and results, reports data to supervisor, and presents results. May include analysis of optical pooled screening data. Uses discretion in prioritizing and organizing workflow of large-scale screening efforts and in optimizing methodologies and results. Contributes to lab organization and operation.

CHARACTERISTIC DUTIES

• In consultation with the Principal Investigator and the broader optical pooled screening team (composed of a senior scientist, two postdocs, two graduate students, and several undergraduates), contributes to the design and execution of optical pooled screens.
• In coordination with the wet-lab pooled screening team, contributes to marker optimization and cell culture operations.
• Conducts optical pooled screens at scale using custom microfluidics automation devices for reagent exchange. May contribute to further development of automation setup.
• With assistance from the computational pooled screening team, learns to execute analyses of pooled screening data autonomously.
• Documents, compiles, and assists in interpreting experimental data. Reports data to supervisor in oral and written reports.
• Gives presentations on research findings, including lab meetings and institute-wide meetings.
• Consults the scientific literature as needed.
• Other tasks as required or assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS

All experience levels are encouraged to apply!

• Bachelor’s degree in biology or a field directly related to the work.
• Must have 2+ years of experience working in a research laboratory. *2 years of FT lab experience is required for the Technical Assistant II title.
• A background in molecular biology or cell biology is desired, including microscopy-based approaches.
• Proficient in basic lab techniques and principles of molecular biology required.
• Experience with computational analysis, use of agentic coding platforms, and some knowledge of high-performance computing platforms is a plus.
• Knowledge of various scientific databases and publications preferred.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills, strong organizational skills required.

Whitehead provides pay ranges representing its good faith estimate of what the Institute reasonably expects to pay for a position at the time of posting. The pay offered to a selected candidate during hiring will be based on factors such as (but not limited to) the scope and responsibilities of the position, the candidate’s work experience and education/training, and internal peer equity. This pay range represents base pay only and does not include any other benefits or compensation.

• Technical Assistant I Pay: 47,500

• Technical Assistant II Pay Range: 48,000 – 56,000

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