Research Associate - Open Rank

University of Massachusetts Medical School•Worcester, MA

20h

About The Position

Under the direction of Principal Investigator Dr. Jennifer Adair or designee, the Research Associate provides operational and scientific support to the Adair Laboratory at the University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School. The Adair Lab is a translational gene and cell therapy laboratory committed to developing clinically meaningful therapies for a broad spectrum of diseases, including inherited disorders, infectious diseases, and malignancies. We are a collaborative, inclusive, and diverse team united by a shared mission to move promising science from bench to bedside. This position is an excellent opportunity for a motivated individual with career goals in graduate or professional school, or in the biotechnology or pharmaceutical industry, within the next 3–5 years. This is an open-rank posting (there are 4 levels of Research Associate) - candidates will be hired into the level commensurate with their experience.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Biological or Natural Science, or equivalent experience
Basic understanding of lab safety and protocols
Knowledge of Microsoft Office products
Ability to analyze data in a quantitative and objective manner.
Ability to work in a team environment.
18 months of relevant research experience with a Bachelor’s Degree in Biological or Natural Science or 0 years with a related Master’s Degree.
3+ years of relevant research experience with a Bachelor’s Degree in Biological or Natural Science or 1 year relevant research experience with a related Master’s Degree
5+ years of relevant research experience with a Bachelor’s Degree in Biological or Natural Science or 3+ years relevant research experience with a related Master’s degree.

Nice To Haves

Preferred minimum of 2 years of relevant laboratory research experience; or a Master's degree with relevant research experience
Demonstrated experience in cell and/or molecular biology techniques, and/or animal studies
Strong organizational skills and commitment to meticulous record-keeping
Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced research environment
Experience with mouse husbandry and in vivo experimental procedures
Experience handling human blood products or primary human cells
Proficiency with flow cytometry (operation, panel design, and data analysis)
Familiarity with gene therapy or hematopoietic stem cell biology
Prior exposure to Good Laboratory Practices and regulatory research environments
Demonstrated interest in pursuing graduate, medical, or professional school, or a career in the biotechnology sector

Responsibilities

Perform laboratory experiments and may be responsible for a single research project.
Utilize all software relevant to experiment and equipment used.
Interpret data, form conclusions and decide on next steps under the direction of the PI or designee.
Maintain accurate records, may modify protocols with the approval of the PI or designee.
Review literature, publications and grants relevant to assigned projects.
Record results according to established lab, sponsor & university protocol
Assist with performing data analysis and/or mathematical computations.
Maintain a detailed lab notebook according to lab practice.
Present findings at lab/group meetings
Monitor laboratory supply levels and order as noted.
Prepare and label buffers, media, solutions, etc.
Assist with and comply with all safety regulation and infection control standards.
Train on IACUC, IRB, EHS, Radiation safety protocols
Comply with all applicable state, federal university, and sponsor policies and agreements.
Provide support with identifying problems and challenges, propose resolutions, implement appropriate solutions.
Provide support with drafting standard operation procedures in compliance to EHS regulation specific for the lab.
Perform other duties as required.
May assist with the training of new lab personnel.
Provide support with drafting standard operation procedures in compliance to EHS regulation specific for the lab.
May assist with drafting manuscript sessions.
Perform complex laboratory experiments and may be responsible for one or more independent research projects.
Perform in-depth data analysis and/or mathematical computations.
Compile and analyze data and present it in a format suitable for publication according to PI specifications.
May oversee laboratory supply levels and order as needed; negotiate with suppliers to optimize available resources.
Monitor laboratory equipment service contracts and monitor maintenance on laboratory equipment.
May manage general operations of the laboratory, including lab personnel, procedures, and projects.
May create new protocols and/or modify defined protocols, as necessary, and with the approval of the PI.
Prioritize and perform several tasks or procedures simultaneously with attention to detail.
Perform duties and experiments with independence.
Provide training of new lab personnel.
May monitor laboratory spending in accordance with budget guidelines provided by PI or designee.
May assist with budget and/or operational aspects of grant and contract funding.
This position will contribute significantly to the management of the research program and will be involved in multiple aspects of the research projects and lab maintenance activities.
Independently design and perform multiple complex laboratory experiments.
Interpret data, form conclusions, and decide on next steps with a high degree of independence.
Maintain laboratory supply levels and order as noted.
Manage laboratory equipment service contracts and coordinate maintenance on laboratory equipment.
Monitor and enforce all safety regulations and infection control standards.
Identify and write standard operation procedures in compliance to EHS regulation specific for the lab
Train on IACUC, EHS, Radiation safety protocols
Manage daily operations of the laboratory, including lab personnel, procedures, and projects.
Identify problems and challenges, propose resolutions, implement appropriate solutions.
Develop and implement new protocols and/or modify defined protocols, as necessary, and with the approval of the PI
Mentor and train lab personnel on proper lab conduct and techniques.
Manage laboratory spending in accordance with budget guidelines provided by PI or designee.
Assist with budget and/or operational aspects of grant and contract proposals.
Negotiate with vendors to optimize available resources.
Contribute independently to writing sections for manuscripts and grants.
Direct the activities of research support staff.