Technical Research Assistant Cellular Neuropsychiatry Lab Stem

Mass General Brigham•Belmont, MA

22d•$22 - $29•Onsite

About The Position

Mass General Brigham relies on a wide range of professionals, including doctors, nurses, business people, tech experts, researchers, and systems analysts to advance our mission. As a not-for-profit, we support patient care, research, teaching, and community service, striving to provide exceptional care. We believe that high-performing teams drive groundbreaking medical discoveries and invite all applicants to join us and experience what it means to be part of Mass General Brigham. Work under the general supervision of a Principal Investigator and following established policies and procedures, conducts a variety of routine experiments. Calculates, transcribes and analyzes data using basic statistics. The Laboratory of Cellular Neuropsychiatry in the Program for Neuropsychiatric Research at McLean Hospital investigates disease specific differences in two major cellular pathways: myelination and bioenergetics using induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSC) as a model system. This Research Assistant position supports our studies of glial abnormalities in psychiatric disease. Our work is focused on the characterization of potential mechanisms behind myelination and bioenergetic abnormalities seen in a number of psychiatric conditions. Understanding these pathways and their component parts may allow us to identify targets for therapeutics. Working under the general supervision and following established policies and procedures, conducts a variety of specialized experimental procedures in human iPS cell culture and differentiation, human fibroblast culture, fluorescence microscopy, FACS analysis, cell biology assays and molecular biology techniques. Experiments can be moderate to complex, where methodologies may need to be optimized in consultation with the lab director. Calculates, transcribes and analyzes data using basic statistics and performs literature searches. Availability for on-call duties and/or flexibility in work schedule, non-standard work week is at times necessary due to the requirements of iPS cell culture and the design of the studies.

Requirements

Bachelor's Degree required
Excellent interpersonal skills, professionalism, and respect for subjects’ rights and needs are required for working with the study participants.
Strong oral and written communication skills.
Ability to follow and perform clinical research protocols.
Knowledge of basic computer programs and basic computer skills for communication, clinical, and administrative purposes.
Excellent organization skills and ability to prioritize a variety of tasks.
Careful attention to detail.
BS or BA in a biological/physical science with relevant course or project work preferred.
Some mammalian tissue culture experience preferred.
Availability for on-call duties and/or flexibility in work schedule, non-standard work week is at times necessary due to the requirements of iPS cell culture and the design of the studies.

Nice To Haves

Experience working with tools or skills relevant to digital mental health such as app development, programming, data analytics and visualization. preferred

Responsibilities

Provides assistance on clinical research studies as per study guidelines and protocols.
Recruits and evaluates potential study patients.
Per protocol instruction, conducts telephone interviews, schedules patient for study visits, and perform clinical symptom rating scales.
Interact with patients/subjects regarding study, including patient education, procedural instruction, follow-up.
May serve as a liaison between patient and physician.
Responsible for collecting data and maintaining patient information database for study.
May be required to input data, do minimum analysis and run various reports.
Maintains patients records as part of record keeping function.
Responsible for mailing various study information or packets to study participants.
Answers phone calls and inquiries regarding study protocol.
Refers participants when appropriate to supervisor or clinical staff.
Monitors and sets up any needed equipment.
Maintains inventory and orders supplies when necessary.
Under general supervision, performs routine experiments, which can be moderate to complex. Experiments include mammalian tissue culture, expansion and differentiation of human iPSCs. fluorescent microscopy, and preparing special materials.
Maintains long-term tissue cultures of differentiated iPS cell lines and monitors cells for viability and contamination.
Record data, summarizes, and analyzes results using basic statistics.
Prepares laboratory reagents and chemicals.
Maintains instruments and equipment.
Maintains supplies inventory in accordance with departmental procedures.
Discusses progress of work regularly with supervisor.
Performs all other duties as assigned.