Technical Assistant I - II - Flow Cytometry Core Facility (Relocation Assistance Available!)

Whitehead Institute•Cambridge, MA

16h•Onsite

About The Position

The Technical Assistant I, Core of the FACS BSL2 core cytometry facility is responsible for assisting with the daily operations of the flow cytometry core lab. This includes the operation, maintenance, and troubleshooting of all instruments, as well as providing high-quality flow cytometry service, user training, and support to Whitehead Institute investigators and the broader Boston research community. The role requires a high level of proficiency in operating the BD FACSAria SORP for high-speed cell sorting and developing proficiency with core facility benchtop analyzers such as the BD Symphony A1, BD LSRFortessa, BD FACSCanto (all with HTS), and the SONY cell sorter. All duties must adhere to the Whitehead Institute’s behavioral and safety standards and mission.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in biology
2 years of experience in a research laboratory
1-2 years of experience in flow cytometry
Excellent organizational, problem-solving, and communication skills
Must be available to work flexible work hours as needed
Must be able to work well independently with minimal supervision
Must work well with researchers, engineers and institute staff in a customer-service oriented environment

Nice To Haves

Cell sorting experience

Responsibilities

Assist with oversight of daily operations of the flow cytometry core lab
Operation, maintenance and troubleshooting of all instruments
Provide high quality flow cytometry service, user training and support to the Whitehead Institute investigators and Boston research community
Perform high-quality, High-Speed Cell Sorting for researchers on BD FACSAria SORP and SONY cell sorter
Perform scheduled and unscheduled maintenance, including data backup as maintenance for sorters
Perform daily quality control and monitor instrument performance for sorters
Troubleshoot sorter and associated software and peripherals
Contact and interact with vendor service and FACSAria/SONY field service engineers as needed
Log sorter and related software and peripheral problems and report to core staff
Enter Aria/SONY usage into database
Develop and maintain proficiency with all benchtop analyzers and associated software and peripherals
Perform scheduled and unscheduled maintenance, including data backup for benchtop analyzers
Perform quality control and monitor instrument performance for benchtop analyzers
Troubleshoot benchtop analyzers and associated software and peripherals
Contact and interact with vendor service and FACS benchtop analyzer field service engineers as needed
Log benchtop analyzer and related software and peripheral problems and report to core staff
Provide high quality service to researchers
Work closely with researchers and Whitehead Institute staff to maintain good relationships
Orient new users to the lab
Assist researchers with their scheduling needs
Advise researchers on basic requirements for high speed cell sorting and benchtop Cytometer usage
Address problems immediately, if possible, log, and report to manager
Maintain sort appointment waiting list and notify researchers if an appointment is available
Log lateness and failure to cancel appointments
Approve sort appointments in Calendar system
Notify researchers of unscheduled instrument downtime
Assist with writing protocols and other writing as needed
Assist with ordering of supplies and billing as needed
Work closely with EH&S to review biosafety considerations for ongoing and new projects
Attend a minimum of one flow cytometry workshop, seminar, vendor show, or core lab visit per year
Attend a Whitehead Institute retreat
Become familiar with flow cytometry journals, associations, and resources
Assist with demos and tours as needed
Audit training sessions and provide feedback
Prepare reagents as needed
Assist with inventory and stocking of laboratory supplies
Maintain all work areas
Other duties, as assigned