Research Assistant

GENERAL SUMMARY/ OVERVIEW STATEMENT:

A Research Assistant position is available in the Oyoshi laboratory at Massachusetts General Hospital for Children to study the immune mechanisms of food allergy. The position will acquire a variety of skills that are required for in vitro and in vivo analysis of mouse models of allergic diseases, which will be instrumental for the development of the staff's career.

Candidates must have;

• Excellent writing and communication skills in English
• Previous experiences with handling and managing experimental animal colonies
• Basic biology techniques, including sterile cell culture, gel electrophoresis, PCR, DNA/RNA extraction

Candidates who are and familiar with immunological techniques are desirable;

• Primary cell isolation
• ELISA
• Quantitative PCR
• Immunohistochemistry
• Multi color flow cytometry
• Animal models of human disease, preferably allergic inflammation

The priority will be given to applicants with an excellent background in Immunology. If applicable, publication(s) in international journals in Immunology area would be a plus. Please send a brief statement of your research experience and career goals (limit to one half page), curriculum vitae with bibliography, and names and contact information of three references in a single PDF file to Dr. Michiko Oyoshi at moyoshi@mgh.harvard.edu . Incomplete applications will not be reviewed.

PRINCIPAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Animal Colony

• Manages experimental animal colonies: daily maintenance, breeding, crossing, and genotyping
• Maintains weekly animal colony records and databases

Science

• Plans, setups, and performs routine in vivo/in vitro experiments
• Collects and organizes experimental samples and data
• Maintains experimental records and databases
• Prepares reagents and solutions
• Assists lab members for conducting experiments
• Troubleshoots assays, methods, equipment to obtain high quality data
• Uses software programs to generate graphs and reports, including but not limited to, Word, Excel, Prism, PowerPoint, Adobe
• Conducts literature searches

Management

• Orders and maintains inventory of laboratory supplies/consumables
• Manages institutional protocols including IACUC, IBC, and IRB
• Ensures daily operations of laboratory, including maintaining equipment, protocols, research inventories, daily budget.
• Performs administrative support duties as required

SKILLS/ABILITIES/COMPETENCIES REQUIRED:

• Careful attention to details
• Excellent organizational skills
• Excellent communication skills
• Ability to follow directions
• Ability to work independently
• Flexibility and willingness to complete tasks
• Computer literacy
• Knowledge of research protocols
• Professional demeanor

EDUCATION:

• Bachelor's degree required.

EXPERIENCE:

• Animal handling: required
• Basic biology techniques; required

WORKING CONDITIONS:

• Works under general supervision in laboratory setting.
• Supervisor regularly reviews progress of work.