Research Lab Tech I DOM Channing
About The Position
Mass General Brigham is recruiting a full-time, entry-level Technical Research Assistant – Level I to perform laboratory and office duties for the Channing/Harvard Cohorts Biorepository (CHCB). The CHCB houses more than 3 million biospecimens from major longitudinal research cohorts and distributes thousands of specimens for research each year. Training will be provided. The role supports specimen distribution and collection, data recordation, and biorepository infrastructure. Work is performed in office, laboratory, and freezer farm settings, with daily exposure to human biological specimens and liquid nitrogen (LN2). The position is onsite and requires walking between three locations throughout the year. In rare freezer emergencies, the employee may be asked to assist for a few hours in the evening or on a weekend; additional compensation is provided for each such event. The position has no direct patient care or supervisory responsibility. Safety equipment includes safety glasses, a lab coat, face shield, ear plugs during sonication, surgical mask during COVID-19, latex or nitrile gloves, and cryo-gloves when needed. Typical noise levels are moderate.
Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree in life sciences.
- Excellent organizational, interpersonal, and communication skills.
- Ability to understand scientific terminology.
- Strict attention to detail and ability to perform careful laboratory techniques.
- Comfort using computers and databases.
- Friendly, professional demeanor and thoughtful listening skills.
- Ability to maintain confidentiality.
- Ability to repeatedly lift a 19–25-pound freezer rack and push heavy equipment.
Nice To Haves
- Comfort handling human biological and frozen specimens is strongly preferred.
- Experience with robotics is a plus.
Responsibilities
- Prepare computer files and retrieve biospecimens from LN2 freezers for distribution projects.
- Print labels, aliquot specimens, add quality-control samples, double-check projects, create ship lists, arrange local deliveries or courier shipments, return remaining samples to permanent storage, update electronic records, and document project details.
- Assist the Collection Laboratory Manager with creating kits and processing incoming biospecimen collections according to standard operating protocols.
- Enter specimen and questionnaire data into a Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS) and perform quality-control testing to confirm storage locations.
- Learn and use the LIMS and UNIX System, and regularly discuss processes, improvement needs, and workflow with upper management.
- Participate in semi-weekly monitoring and upkeep of liquid-nitrogen and -80°C freezers, the external bulk tank, and Dewar replacements.
- Consolidate and update samples in freezers and help organize temporary storage, quality controls, and drift pools.
- In rare freezer emergencies, assist the team with urgent biospecimen transfers, including possible evening or weekend responses.
- Proofread, contribute to or write standard operating procedures, organize and inventory supplies, and identify items to be ordered.
- Walk between the 221 Longwood, 181 Longwood, and 667 Huntington Avenue sites throughout the year.
- Occasionally travel to area hospitals, universities, and companies to meet collaborating investigators or deliver samples.
- Repeatedly lift 19–25-pound freezer racks and push heavy equipment.
Benefits
- Competitive base pay.
- Comprehensive benefits.
- Career advancement opportunities.
- Differentials, premiums, and bonuses as applicable.
- Recognition programs.
Stand Out From the Crowd
Upload your resume and get instant feedback on how well it matches this job.
What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Entry Level
