Research Assistant II

Harvard University • Boston, MA

8h • Onsite

About The Position

The Basan Lab in the Systems Biology Department at Harvard Medical School seeks an energetic, enthusiastic, and multi-talented individual to work as a Research Assistant II. A strong work ethic and the willingness to learn new skills and to work in a team are essential. The willingness to learn how to work with different experimental systems, including adenovirus, lentivirus, cell lines and animals is required. Tasks will include making genetic constructs, tissue culture, tissue dissection and microscopy, as well as screens. Previous experience with any of the techniques mentioned above is a plus, but it is not required. We consider strong motivation, as well as a willingness to learn and also to work in a team as more important. In general, we are looking for creative, open-minded individuals, interested in venturing off the beaten track and possessing the determination to bring their ideas to fruition. Fundamental biological questions that we are interested in include how cells achieve homeostasis of cell size, cell number and cellular composition. In our lab, we address these challenges using a variety of experimental systems, including various bacterial species, cell lines, and mice. Our approach relies on the close coordination and mutual feedback between experimental and theoretical efforts, and we combine careful characterization of physiology with genetic perturbations, omics technology and theoretical models. The successful candidate will have the opportunity to be involved in all of these different exciting lines of research and to gain hands-on experience with diverse experimental approaches.
The individual will participate in group meetings and collaborate in writing papers and reports to funding agencies. They will attend seminar series within HMS and take part in the scientific and intellectual life of the lab and Harvard Medical School. The candidate should enjoy working in close collaboration with lab members and other members of Systems Biology.

Requirements

• College background in biological sciences or related quantitative field
• 1-2+ years of experience
• Willingness to learn new skills
• Willingness to work in a team
• Willingness to learn how to work with different experimental systems, including adenovirus, lentivirus, cell lines and animals

Nice To Haves

• Previous experience with making genetic constructs
• Previous experience with tissue culture
• Previous experience with tissue dissection
• Previous experience with microscopy
• Previous experience with screens
• Tissue culture experiments involving advanced microscopy

Responsibilities

• Making genetic constructs
• Tissue culture
• Tissue dissection
• Microscopy
• Screens
• Participate in group meetings
• Collaborate in writing papers and reports to funding agencies
• Attend seminar series within HMS
• Take part in the scientific and intellectual life of the lab and Harvard Medical School

Benefits

• 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

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: Associate degree