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Job Description

TITLE: Research Technician Date: November 2009

SCOPE OF POSITION

A research technician position is available for a motivated, enthusiastic and organized candidate to help with research on mechanisms of inflammatory and immune disease. The candidate will be expected to work independently on a research project, working with senior researchers to record and check experimental results, troubleshoot procedures and help interpret findings. The candidate will also be responsible for ordering and tracking supplies for the laboratory and managing key laboratory resources.

PRINCIPAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Supervised by the Principal Investigator, the technician will be the primary participant in a new research project in the laboratory, investigating cell trafficking during inflammation. Techniques used in this work will include molecular biology (DNA manipulation, transgenesis and RNAi development), cell culture (including primary immune cell isolation), histology (tissue preparation, staining and imaging) and working with mouse models of inflammation. The technician will be directly responsible for a significant part of this work, working closely with collaborators at MGH and other institutions, and will have the opportunity to participate in research presentations and authorship in research publications. The candidate will be expected to participate in lab meetings and will be welcome to attend seminars and journal clubs of interest.

A substantial component of the laboratorys work involves knockout and transgenic mice and the candidates duties will also include overseeing mouse colony management (updating colony records, organizing genotyping and liaising with support staff). The candidate may also be required to help prepare reagents, solutions and specimens for laboratory projects where necessary. This will enable the technician to participate data analysis, experimental design and troubleshooting of many other projects in the laboratory. Responsibilities will also include working with other technical staff within Developmental Immunology to organize supply inventory (ordering and restocking) and equipment maintenance.

POSITION REQUIREMENTS

The applicant should be highly motivated and will be encouraged to become directly involved in research projects. Applicants should have a BS or BA in Biology or a related discipline. Previous laboratory experience is a plus, as is coursework in immunology and molecular biology. Familiarity with small animal work and molecular laboratory techniques is helpful, but training in these and other methodologies will be provided. The technician must be comfortable working with mice and with computers.

The work will require a high degree of manual dexterity and organizational skills. The candidate will need to work independently, set priorities, analyze, problem solve, communicate effectively, and use initiative to complete diversified responsibilities.