Research Technician : Boston, MA, United States
Job Description
Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI) is a science philanthropy organization whose mission is to advance biomedical research and science education for the benefit of humanity. We empower exceptional scientists and students to pursue fundamental questions about living systems, and work to share scientific discoveries with researchers, students, and science-curious individuals around the world.
Founded in 1953 by aviator and industrialist Howard R. Hughes, HHMI is headquartered in Chevy Chase, Maryland, and employs more than 2500 people across the U.S. Please visit hhmi.org/careers to learn more about working at HHMI.
The successful candidates will join a team of technicians working under the supervision of the Lab Director in an Ancient DNA laboratory with a responsibility for studying DNA from human remains over the last 20,000 years. Please visit our website for more information about our research.
https://reich.hms.harvard.edu/
We have two positions available. This is an ideal opportunity for candidates with several different backgrounds:
- Experienced research technicians with a background in sterile technique and and/or genomics who seek longer term employment in an exciting and rapidly moving field.
- Undergraduates who anticipate completing their studies in Spring 2018 and are interested in a career in the field of Ancient Biomolecules and seeking experience in a world-class ancient DNA lab.
- Physical anthropologists with experience in analyzing skeletal material who would specialize in sample preparation and acquisition.
We are looking for candidates intending to stay for at least three years.
Principal Responsibilities:
Experimental Work (80% of responsibilities)
- Sample preparation in a clean room environment to prepare for DNA extraction
- Extracting of DNA and preparation for sequencing in a clean room environment
- Amplification of DNA, cleanup and enrichment of libraries
- Sequencing the DNA, and help to identify the best samples for further analysis
- Working with liquid handling robots
- Keeping a meticulous record of experiments and analyses in a lab book and database
- Decontaminating equipment and work surfaces after every experiment
- Cleaning the clean rooms and equipment on a regular basis
- Frequent discussions with laboratory colleagues working on ancient DNA
- Occasional sample preparation in non-cleanroom environment such as museums
Documentation, Administration and Meetings (20% of responsibilities)
- Preparing, ordering, and maintaining stocks of necessary consumables, reagents, and supplies
- Documenting, compiling, and analyzing experimental data
- Updating supervisors by presenting oral and written reports
- Reading relevant scientific literature
- Working well in a team of research technicians with identical duties
Preferred Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree in the life sciences with hands-on research experience in basic laboratory techniques and understanding of molecular biology principles, or a bachelor’s degree in physical anthropology or archaeology.
- Familiarity with genomics (library preparation and sequencing) and sterile techniques, or alternatively skeletal analysis.
- Meticulous work habits including keeping a detailed and accurate lab notebook
- Skilled at trouble-shooting experiments and critical thinking about experiments and results
- The ability to multi-task to take care of the general well-being of the laboratory
Additional Qualifications:
- Previous work in an Ancient DNA laboratory
- Familiarity with genetics and next generation sequencing.
- Medical Diagnostics or Microarray Fabrication (either in academic or industry)
- Cell Culture with training in sterile techniques
- Excellent written, documentation and oral communication skills.
- Computer skills, including familiarity with Microsoft Word and Excel and ideally UNIX
- Extremely strong organizational skills
HHMI is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
Required Skills
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Required Experience
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