Technical Research Assistant II

About Us:

As a not-for-profit organization, Mass General Brigham is committed to supporting patient care, research, teaching, and service to the community by leading innovation across our system. Founded by Brigham and Women's Hospital and Massachusetts General Hospital, Mass General Brigham supports a complete continuum of care including community and specialty hospitals, a managed care organization, a physician network, community health centers, home care and other health-related entities. Several of our hospitals are teaching affiliates of Harvard Medical School, and our system is a national leader in biomedical research.

We're focused on a people-first culture for our system's patients and our professional family. That's why we provide our employees with more ways to achieve their potential. Mass General Brigham is committed to aligning our employees' personal aspirations with projects that match their capabilities and creating a culture that empowers our managers to become trusted mentors. We support each member of our team to own their personal development-and we recognize success at every step.

Our employees use the Mass General Brigham values to govern decisions, actions and behaviors. These values guide how we get our work done: Patients, Affordability, Accountability & Service Commitment, Decisiveness, Innovation & Thoughtful Risk; and how we treat each other: Diversity & Inclusion, Integrity & Respect, Learning, Continuous Improvement & Personal Growth, Teamwork & Collaboration.

The Opportunity

The Gene and Cell Therapy Institute (GCTI) is a newly created system-wide Institute under Mass General Brigham. The Institute will foster a world-class gene and cell therapy program that will leverage ongoing, groundbreaking scientific research efforts across the MGB system. The mission of GCTI is to bring together the community of MGB investigators which can utilize gene and cell therapy platforms to achieve their scientific and clinical goals and improve the health of patients. The Institute will differentiate itself by harnessing the exceptional strengths of clinician scientists, the large and unique patient population, and major discoveries throughout the hospital system to propel MGB as the leader in Gene & Cell therapies.

We are seeking a motivated and skilled Technician to join our RNA Therapeutics team and participate in the development of novel RNA-based medicines and technologies. With guidance from senior scientific staff, the candidate who fills this role will perform molecular and cellular biology experiments focused on exploration and development of new RNA designs for novel therapeutics. The successful candidate will have experience working in a research laboratory setting and be proficient in standard molecular biology and cellular techniques such as cloning, PCR and cell culture. They would preferably have hands-on RNA handling experience, be detail-oriented and organized, eager to acquire new skills, and work in a team setting.

Key Responsibilities

* Perform a variety of routine procedures following established methodologies including in vitro transcription, silica purification, Fragment Analyzer interrogation, classic DNA cloning, gel electrophoresis, cell culture and transfection, RNA extraction and qRT-PCR analysis.

* Perform analytical techniques and record quality metrics, with a strong focus on data accuracy and reproducibility.

* With supervision, design and plan experiments applying routine experimental methodologies to the discovery and assessment of novel RNA designs.

* Operate and maintain laboratory equipment, instruments and robotics to perform repetitive laboratory techniques; learn how to use new instruments as needed.

* Observe universal safety precautions and proper personal protective equipment to protect self and co-workers from biohazardous materials; complete requisite trainings as appropriate.

* Participate in lab meetings and generate ideas for improving efficiency and productivity in the lab's operations.

* Communicate effectively with the team, discuss progress, and share data with supervisors.

* All other duties as assigned as the RNA Therapeutics Core evolves.

QUALIFICATIONS:

* Bachelor's degree in life sciences, biochemistry, or chemistry with at least 1-2 years of experience in a laboratory setting.

* Good organizational skills, detail-oriented experiment execution and documentation.

* Reproducibility of work with accuracy

* Sound degree of computer literacy (MS365, Graphpad Prism).

* Ability to methodically record data

* Good interpersonal and communication skills

* Ability to demonstrate professionalism and good lab citizenship.

* Dedication to excellence

Skills for Success

* Experience working with mRNA, circular RNA, or long-noncoding RNA

* Experience with cell culture based experimental processes.

* Experience or interest in coding using R or Python.

Mass General Brigham is an Equal Opportunity Employer. By embracing diverse skills, perspectives, and ideas, we choose to lead. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religious creed, national origin, sex, age, gender identity, disability, sexual orientation, military service, genetic information, and/or other status protected under the law. We will ensure that all individuals with a disability are provided a reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, perform essential job functions, and receive other benefits and privileges of employment.