Research Lab Tech I DOM Channing

Mass General Brigham • Boston, MA

1d • Onsite

About The Position

The Research Lab Tech I performs laboratory and office work for the Channing/Harvard Cohorts Biorepository (CHCB), which houses research biospecimens from several large longitudinal cohorts and distributes thousands of specimens annually. The position is an entry-level, full-time role with training provided and no direct patient care.

As part of a team, the technician prepares and distributes research projects, processes incoming biospecimen collections, enters specimen and questionnaire data into laboratory systems, and helps maintain specimen storage infrastructure. The role also involves quality-control work, documentation, supply organization, and occasional assistance during freezer emergencies.

Work takes place in office, laboratory, and freezer-farm settings, including daily exposure to human biological specimens and liquid nitrogen. The employee walks between three work sites throughout the year and may occasionally travel to nearby hospitals, universities, or companies. In rare freezer emergencies, the employee may be asked to work for a few hours in the evening or on a weekend; additional compensation is provided for each event.

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 manner and ability to listen thoughtfully.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality.
• Ability to repeatedly lift a 19- to 25-pound freezer rack and push heavy equipment.

Nice To Haves

• Comfort handling human biological and frozen specimens.
• Experience with robotics.

Responsibilities

• Prepare computer files and retrieve biospecimens from liquid nitrogen freezers for project production and distribution.
• Print labels, aliquot specimens, add quality-control samples, double-check projects, create ship lists, and arrange local deliveries or courier shipments.
• Return remaining samples to permanent storage, update electronic records, and record project details.
• Assist the Collection Laboratory Manager with creating kits and processing incoming biospecimen collections according to standard operating procedures.
• Enter specimen and questionnaire data into a Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS).
• Perform quality-control testing to confirm specimen 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 for quality controls and drift pools.
• Assist the team during rare freezer emergencies, including urgent specimen transfers when needed.
• Contribute to proofreading, writing or updating standard operating procedures, organizing and inventorying supplies, and identifying items to order.

Benefits

• Competitive base pay.
• Comprehensive benefits.
• Career advancement opportunities.
• Differentials, premiums, and bonuses as applicable.
• Recognition programs designed to celebrate contributions and support professional growth.
• Additional compensation for each freezer-emergency event.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level