Research Assistant I

Research Assistant I | Boston Childrens Hospital

Position Summary: A full-time research position is available as a Technician in the Smith Lab in the Vascular Biology Program at the Department of Surgery, Boston Children's Hospital. The candidate will carry out independent bench research in close partnership with postdoctoral fellows and the Pl. The candidate will be using a combination of techniques to better understand how to treat neurosurgical disease, with a focus on stroke conditions and brain tumors.

Key Responsibilities:

• Animal work: Induction of brain tumors, and evaluation of candidate therapeutics in mice.
• Molecular Biology: Western blot, protein electrophoresis and staining, immunohistochemistry, ELISA, DNA isolation, qPCR, and similar techniques.
• Cell culture: Isolation and culture of primary and immortalized cell types.
• Lab Management: Supply inventory and ordering, lab organization
• According to prescribed protocols and assigned schedules, performs a variety of routine laboratory experiments and procedures, utilizing standard laboratory equipment, recording and checking results for completeness and accuracy.
• Assists in troubleshooting procedures if experimental results are unexpected or quality of specimens is poor.
• Performs the following techniques typically required for the laboratory/study:Maintains records of results and methodologies in a log of work performed.Maintains equipment, lab area, and supplies in a neat professional manner.
• Sterilize and clean glassware, and prepare media and other materials using appropriate procedures.Inventories supplies, alerts supervisor to needed supplies, or mixes standard reagents.
• Processes order for supplies and/or animals. Attends courses in safety procedures for handling, storage, and disposal of biohazardous, flammable, corrosive, and toxic materials.Carries out all laboratory activities in compliance with applicable regulations and protocols.
• Conducts literature searches and reviews, compiling information for journals and suggesting uses for new techniques to the P.I.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Education: BS or BA in biology, molecular biology, cell biology, chemistry or a related discipline.
• Laboratory experience in several of the above techniques is required, with experience outside of laboratory classwork (i.e., in a working laboratory) preferred.
• Strong written and spoken English skills.
• Excellent interpersonal, problem-solving, communication and organizational skills.
• Flexibility, motivation, and ability to work independently.
• Willingness and ability to take on multiple projects simultaneously.
• A minimum commitment of two years is required.