Technical Assistant I - II Flow Cytometry Core (Relocation Assistance Available!)

Whitehead-Institute-For-Biomedical-Research-; Cambridge (MA); On-site; USD 48,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

The Whitehead Institute in Cambridge, MA is seeking a Technical Assistant I/II for the Flow Cytometry Core to assist with daily operations of the FACS core lab, including instrument maintenance, quality control, and user support. The role emphasizes high-speed cell sorting using the BD FACSAria SORP and Sony sorters, with opportunity to develop proficiency on BD Symphony A1 and other analyzers.

Candidates should have a biology degree and hands-on flow cytometry experience; strong organization,

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in biology and 1-2 years of lab experience.
• 1-2 years of flow cytometry experience for TA I, and 3-4 years for TA II.

Responsibilities

• Operate, maintain and troubleshoot flow cytometry instruments.
• Provide high-quality flow cytometry service, training and user support.
• Perform high-speed cell sorting on BD FACSAria SORP and Sony sorters.
• Log instrument usage, issues and maintenance in the database.
• Assist with scheduling, onboarding and protocols for core facility users.
• Ensure biosafety and EH&S considerations are followed.

Skills

Flow cytometry

Customer service

Instrument maintenance

Troubleshooting

Data backup

Education

Bachelor’s degree in biology

Tools

BD FACSAria SORP

Sony FP7000

BD Symphony A1

BD FACS Fortessa HTS

Canto HTS

BD LSRFortessa HTS

Job description

Classification:ExemptJob Family:TechniciansReports to:Director, Flow Cytometry FacilityJob Description Summary:The primary duty of the Technical Assistant I/II, Core of the FACS BSL2 core cytometry facility is to assist with oversight of daily operations of the flow cytometry core lab including operation, maintenance and troubleshooting of all instruments, as well as provide high quality flow cytometry service, user training and support to the Whitehead Institute investigators and Boston research community. The FACS Technical Assistant I/II will possess a high level of proficiency on the BD FACSAria SORP in order to perform quality high-speed cell sorting. Additional duties include but are not limited to development of proficiency on core facility benchtop analyzers, the BD Symphony A1 with HTS, BD LSRFortessa with HTS, and Sony FP7000 and SH800 cell sorters. Other duties will be performed as scheduled or needed. All duties will be performed in accordance with the Whitehead Institute’s behavioral standards, safety standards, and mission.CHARACTERISTIC DUTIESCytometry Instrumentation and associated Software and Peripherals High Speed Cell Sorter- BD FACSAria SORP and SONY cell sorters:Perform high-quality, High-Speed Cell Sorting for researchersPerform scheduled and unscheduled maintenance, including data backup as maintenancePerform daily quality control and monitor instrument performanceTroubleshoot sorter and associated software and peripheralsContact and interact with vendor service and FACSAria/SONY field service engineers as neededLog sorter and related software and peripheral problems and report to core staffEnter Aria/ SONY usage into the database.Benchtop Analyzers- BD Symphony A1, BD FACS Fortessa HTS, BD FACS Canto HTS:Develop and maintain proficiency with all benchtop analyzers and associated software and peripheralsPerform scheduled and unscheduled maintenance, including data backupPerform quality control and monitor instrument performanceTroubleshoot benchtop analyzers and associated software and peripheralsContact and interact with vendor service and FACS benchtop analyzer field service engineers as neededLog benchtop analyzer and related software and peripheral problems and report to core staffServiceProvide high quality service to researchersWork closely with researchers and Whitehead Institute staff to maintain good relationshipsOrient new users to the labAssist researchers with their scheduling needsAdvise researchers on basic requirements for high speed cell sorting and benchtop Cytometer usageAddress problems immediately, if possible, log, and report to the manager.OtherMaintain sort appointment waiting list and notify researchers if an appointment is availableLog lateness and failure to cancel appointmentsApprove sort appointments in Calendar systemNotify researchers of unscheduled instrument downtimeAssist with writing protocols and other writing as neededAssist with ordering of supplies and billing as neededWork closely with EH&S to review biosafety considerations for ongoing and new projectsAttend a minimum of one flow cytometry workshop, seminar, vendor show, or core lab visit per yearAttend a Whitehead Institute retreatBecome familiar with flow cytometry journals, associations, and resourcesAssist with demos and tours as neededAudit training sessions and provide feedbackPrepare reagents as neededAssist with inventory and stocking of laboratory suppliesMaintain all work areasOther duties, as assignedQUALIFICATIONSBachelor’s degree in biology and 1-2 years of experience in a research laboratory.Must have 1-2 years of experience in flow cytometry for Technical Assistant I, and 3-4 years of experience in flow cytometry for Technical Assistant II . No cell sorting required but it’s a plus.Excellent organizational, problem-solving, and communication skills.Must be available to work flexible work hours as needed.Must be able to work well independently with minimal supervision.Must work well with researchers, engineers and institute staff in a customer-service oriented environment.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 Range: 47,500 - 50,000Technical Assistant II Pay Range: 50,000 – 70,000Whitehead Institute is an E-Verify employerhttps://www.e-verify.gov/sites/default/files/everify/posters/EVerifyParticipationPoster.pdfhttps://www.e-verify.gov/sites/default/files/everify/posters/IER_RightToWorkPoster%20Eng_Es.pdf