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Why join Harvard Medical School?
Harvard Medical School's mission is to nurture a diverse, inclusive community dedicated to alleviating suffering and improving health and well-being for all through excellence in teaching and learning, discovery and scholarship, and service and leadership.
You’ll be at the heart of biomedical discovery, education, and innovation, working alongside world-renowned faculty and a community dedicated to improving human health. This is more than a job - it’s an opportunity to shape the future of medicine.
Job Description
We are seeking a highly motivated and independent individual for a full-time research technician position in Drs. Bernardo Sabatini and Marcia Haigis laboratories at Harvard Medical School. The research technician will work primarily with Dr. Annie Hsieh, a staff Neuro-Oncologist at Massachusetts General Hospital and an instructor in Neurology co-mentored by Drs. Bernardo Sabatini and Marca Haigis, to investigate the genetic and metabolic vulnerability of glioma using CRISPR screen technology and the glioma-interacting neurons using viral tracing techniques. Our research is broadly interested in the molecular mechanism and neuronal microenvironment of the deadliest brain tumor-glioblastoma. We use a wide range of techniques including cell culture, RT-PCR, Western blot, mass spectrometry, intracranial injection, immunohistochemistry, and advanced microscopy to study how glioma cells respond to metabolic challenges in culture conditions and in the brain.
The technician’s daily responsibilities include tissue culture to maintain glioma cell lines and patient-derived glioma neurospheres, validate the genetic hits from the CRISPR screen by conducting growth curve of the cell lines/patient-derived glioma neurospheres, cloning and viral packaging to create virus for genetic perturbation, confirm genetic perturbation of the cells/tissues by performing RT-PCR and Western blot, perform intracranial injection of glioma cell lines/patient-derived glioma neurospheres and monitor animal health and the tumor growth by animal imaging, perform mouse brain perfusion, dissection and slicing, perform RNA in situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry to assess the spatial protein expression, perform imaging acquisition and analysis, perform data analysis and graphing. The technician will spend 50% of the time at Sabatini lab and 50% of the time at Haigis lab every week, participate lab meetings in both labs and fulfill lab responsibilities from both labs. The technician will learn and perform experiments with Dr. Annie Hsieh side by side and meet with her weekly to discuss experimental plan and data interpretation.
Prior laboratory experience is required, as well as strong organizational skills and an eagerness to learn. Successful candidates will be independent, outgoing, flexible, self-motivated, and able to assimilate new information and execute quickly. You will have the opportunity to direct the research project while taking advantage of the intelligent, diverse, welcoming, and exciting team of researchers at both the Sabatini lab and Haigis lab.
Qualifications
Basic Qualifications:
- College background or equivalent work experience, preferably in a related discipline (at least 1 year related work experience - relevant course work may count towards experience).
Additional Qualifications and Skills:
- Bachelor's or Master’s degree with prior experience in a wet lab environment. A major in Neuroscience, Biology, and Chemistry is preferred.
- Experience in one or more of the following techniques would be preferred: cell culture, biochemistry techniques, mouse intracranial surgery, and histological preparations.
- Experience or willingness to work with mice, manage a mouse colony, and perform survival and non-survival procedures as necessary.
- Analytical skills to resolve problems that require the use of basic scientific, mathematical, or technical principles. Some experience with programming, using R and/or Python is preferred.
- Candidates should be communicative with excellent interpersonal skills, attentive to detail, organized, and thoughtful about the protocols and techniques being executed.
- Creativity, flexibility, and perseverance to troubleshoot and overcome inevitable experimental difficulties and changing experimental goals in light of new results.
Additional Information
- Standard Hours/Schedule: 35 hours per week| Monday - Friday | 9:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Visa Sponsorship Information: Harvard University is unable to provide visa sponsorship for this position
- Pre-Employment Screening: Criminal, Identity
This is a three-month term position from the date of hire, with the possibility of extension, contingent upon work performance and continued funding to support the position.
Offer contingent upon successful completion of a pre-placement medical evaluation.
Please note that we are currently conducting a majority of interviews and onboarding remotely and virtually. We appreciate your understanding.
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Work Format Details
This position is based on-site at a Harvard campus location. Additional details will be discussed during the interview process. Certain visa types may limit work location. Individuals must meet work location sponsorship requirements prior to employment.
Salary Grade and Ranges
This position is salary grade level 052. Please visit Harvard's Salary Ranges to view the corresponding salary range and related information.
Benefits
Harvard offers a comprehensive benefits package that is designed to support a healthy work-life balance and your physical, mental and financial wellbeing. Because here, you are what matters. Our benefits include, but are not limited to:
- Generous paid time off including parental leave
- Medical, dental, and vision health insurance coverage starting on day one
- Retirement plans with university contributions
- Wellbeing and mental health resources
- Support for families and caregivers
- Professional development opportunities including tuition assistance and reimbursement
- Commuter benefits, discounts and campus perks
Learn more about these and additional benefits on our Benefits & Wellbeing Page.
EEO/Non-Discrimination Commitment Statement
Harvard University is committed to equal opportunity and non-discrimination. We seek talent from all parts of society and the world, and we strive to ensure everyone at Harvard thrives. Our differences help our community advance Harvard’s academic purposes.
Harvard has an equal employment opportunity policy that outlines our commitment to prohibiting discrimination on the basis of race, sex, ethnicity, color, national origin, religion, disability, or any other characteristic protected by law or identified in the university’s non-discrimination policy. Harvard’s equal employment opportunity policy and non-discrimination policy help all community members participate fully in work and campus life free from harassment and discrimination.