Research Technician

GENERAL SUMMARY/ OVERVIEW STATEMENT:

We are seeking an enthusiastic and team-oriented laboratory technician who is passionate about biomedical research to work in our cancer translational research group. The position will be within the Massachusetts General Hospital Pathology department and will focus on personalized medicine in different types of cancer specimens such as head and neck cancers, breast and ovarian cancers and soft tissue malignancies using proteomic and genetic techniques with the goal of improving the diagnosis of these tumors and ultimately leading to new therapeutic approaches. This person will be responsible for organizing experiments and tracking samples, carrying out complex genetic and protein biomarker analyses, and delivering results that are suitable for accurate interpretation, observing high health and safety standards.

PRINCIPAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

The technician is involved in assay development for molecular analysis of tumors using next generation sequencing techniques. This person will be working with specimens obtained from surgical resections, bone marrow biopsy/aspiration, fine needle aspirate, blood and cerebral spinal fluids.

The main responsibility of the technician is to carry out the technical aspects of molecular testing and translational cancer experiments using cancer samples, together with the MGH cancer center and pathology departments. The specific responsibilities include but are not limited to:

1. Performing technical components of molecular assays (including histology, immunohistochemistry, immunofluorescence, PCR, DNA and RNA sequencing), including development, testing, and analysis of data.

2. Carry out technical aspects of validation of new assays.

3. Ensuring specimen integrity.

4. Ensuring patient privacy and compliance with HIPAA guidelines

5. Routine lab tasks including glassware cleaning, equipment maintenance and quality control (QC), test emergency equipment weekly.

6. Clerical duties such as: project management and organization, maintaining and updating the research laboratory manual, keep record of all chemicals, reagents and kits used in the lab with respective MSDS, create a working log of specimens, identify each handled specimen and slide.

7. Education of residents, fellows, medical students and other technicians.

8. Work in a collaborative fashion with other group members.

SKILLS/ABILITIES/COMPETENCIES REQUIRED:

* Ability to effectively communicate and interact with technical staff at all levels in a team based environment.
* Possess laboratory experience in a research environment; basic analytical skills, sample preparation/tracking data, and laboratory instrumentation
* Ability to think critically to identify problems and develop solutions.
* Familiarity with molecular biology and the metric system.
* Knowledge of chemistry and understanding of the concepts of molarity, normality, molecular weight, formula weight of chemicals.
* Basic molecular biology skills are required; experience with tissue culture is a plus
* Ability to do mathematical calculations.
* Must know the proper handling procedure of chemicals and aseptic technique.
* Ability to apply common sense to prioritize and adjust to priorities, work within deadlines and multi-task.
* Computer skills and ability to learn new software and systems; knowledge of bioinformatics software (e.g. Python) a plus.
* Required language skills: ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions and procedure manuals. Ability to write routine research reports and correspondence.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

May be exposed to disease-bearing specimens, hazardous chemicals or fumes, other hazards normally associated with a clinical laboratory setting. Work environment may be noisy or crowded.

EDUCATION:

* Bachelor's degree required.



EXPERIENCE:

* Some lab experience in addition to school lab experience desirable but not required