Research Specialist RESEARCH NEUROLOGY HV

Mass General Brigham•Boston, MA

11d•Onsite

About The Position

Functioning independently and under the direction of the principal investigator, performs high-level, complex scientific research experiments. On a regular basis, contributes to scientific literature, reports, journals, and presentations, and investigates, creates, and develops new methods and technologies for research advancement. The Venkatesh Lab is at the forefront of cancer neuroscience, exploring the intersection of cancer biology and neuroscience to uncover the electrical and molecular mechanisms driving neuron-cancer communication. Our research focuses on characterizing and therapeutically targeting these pathways in the central and peripheral nervous systems, with the goal of developing innovative treatments by exploiting tumor microenvironment dependencies. We are seeking a detail-oriented, motivated Research Specialist to provide technical and research support for our lab’s projects. This role involves a mix of research execution (60%), mouse model work (30%), and lab upkeep (10%). Experience with mouse handling is required, and a passion for contributing to high-impact neuroscience and cancer research is essential.

Requirements

Master's Degree Related Field of Study required
Experience in an academic or laboratory research setting 3-5 years required
Must be a problem solver willing to take the initiative and prioritize tasks, thereby ensuring the smooth and efficient conduct of several projects simultaneously.
A high degree of computer literacy in order to use various spreadsheet, database, accounting and word processing programs to assist in administrative, grant proposal preparation, and research reporting activities.
Excellent organizational skills in order to formulate, implement, and monitor a number of interrelated tasks.
Ability to exercise discretion and good judgment in handling of sensitive and confidential information.
Ability to work under deadline pressure and prioritize work from several sources.
Excellent interpersonal skills for internal and external communications.
3-5 years of experience in an academic research setting outside of coursework required.
Demonstrated experience with mammalian tissue culture and aseptic technique.
2+ years of hands-on in vivo research experience with demonstrated ability to execute studies with increasing independence
Ability to design, execute, and troubleshoot protocols and experiments for various projects in the lab.
Experience performing common in vivo procedures including mouse handling, dosing, blood collection, tissue harvest, and necropsy
Strong attention to detail and commitment to high-quality data generation, documentation, and reproducibility
Able to compile, analyze, and present data in a timely fashion, with an attention to detail and careful consideration of deadlines.

Nice To Haves

Experience with mouse handling is required
Passion for contributing to high-impact neuroscience and cancer research is essential.

Responsibilities

Investigates, creates, and develops new methods and technologies for research advancement.
Contributes to scientific literature, reports, journals and presentations.
Develops proposals and study plans, and coordinates the institutional and external reviews of these proposals.
Responsible for supervising routine reports of laboratory studies, particularly as stipulated in material transfer agreements or corporate-sponsored research agreements, to be distributed to industry scientific counterparts and academic collaborators.
Reports on the progress of work at weekly laboratory seminars.
Semi-autonomously writes up experimental work for grant applications, book chapters, and journal publications.
Responsible for preparing summaries of laboratory studies for meeting presentations and publications.
Calculates, transcribes, analyzes, and prepares figures of data using advanced statistical techniques.
Semi-autonomously identifies, interprets, and applies findings and methods from scientific literature relevant to projects.
Collaborate with researchers to generate high-quality data for publications, grant proposals, and presentations.
Perform advanced mammalian cell culture (routine maintenance, transfection, differentiation).
Independently executes experiments and performs data analyses of moderate complexity.
Independently conduct IHC/IF staining, tissue mounting, and imaging (confocal/fluorescence microscopy), including image acquisition, processing, and quantitative analysis.
Contribute to the preparation of reports, summaries, and presentations of research findings.
Mentor and train new lab members in techniques such as mouse handling, genotyping, and experimental design.
Develop, maintain, and manage xenograft models, including patient-derived xenografts (PDX), in rodent models.
Perform hands-on in vivo procedures including compound administration by multiple routes (IM, IP, IV, SC), blood collection, tissue collection, necropsy, and clinical observations
Collect, organize, and interpret experimental data using standard data analysis software and methodologies.
Ensure adherence to animal welfare regulations, research protocols, and laboratory best practices.
Maintain a clean, organized, and compliant lab environment, including proper storage of reagents, cells, and samples.
Manage inventory and ordering of reagents and consumables.
Calibrate and perform routine maintenance on critical equipment (microscopes, centrifuges, PCR machines).
Ensure compliance with biosafety, animal care, and chemical safety regulations.
Maintain accurate documentation (protocols, experimental records, safety data sheets).