Research Assistant I

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Why join Harvard Medical School?

Harvard Medical School's mission is to nurture a diverse, inclusive community dedicated to alleviating suffering and improving health and well-being for all through excellence in teaching and learning, discovery and scholarship, and service and leadership.

You’ll be at the heart of biomedical discovery, education, and innovation, working alongside world-renowned faculty and a community dedicated to improving human health. This is more than a job - it’s an opportunity to shape the future of medicine.

The Department of Neurobiology at Harvard Medical School and the McGovern Institute for Brain Research at MIT are hiring a Research Assistant, to work in the laboratories of Professor Michael Greenberg (HMS) and Professor Guoping Feng (MIT). Professors Greenberg and Feng are leading a collaborative effort to develop animal models to study the role of neuronal activity in human brain evolution.

Working closely with the PI, lab manager and research team, the Research Assistant will primarily be responsible for:

• Collecting behavioral, cognitive, physiological, and neural data from animals alongside researchers.
• Organizing and annotating the collected data.
• Manually annotating datasets to assist in training neural networks used for analysis.
• Writing and updating animal protocols with the help of the veterinary staff.
• Carrying out molecular biology work related to the characterization of the animals.
• Maintain and genotype animal models, perform perfusions, tissue dissection, tissue sectioning, RNA in-situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry .
• Use a range of molecular biology methods including RT-PCR, qPCR, molecular cloning, bulk and single-cell RNA sequencing library preparation and quality control.
• Maintain and transfect cell lines used for cell-based assays.
• Perform stereotactic brain surgeries to deliver viruses for manipulation or knock-out of genes of interest and further behavioral characterization.
• Participation in regular meetings with team members to discuss research progress and strategies.

Our laboratory has an excellent track record in training young scientists. This position is ideal for highly organized, motivated, and hard-working individuals seeking to launch their career as future scientists. The Technical Associate will have the opportunity to design experiments and write code to analyze data if interested. The individual will also be responsible for coordinating schedules between researchers, veterinarians, and staff. The individual will participate in the care of animals, general experimental support, and data organization.

While prior laboratory experience is helpful, most important is a candidate with curiosity, work ethic, organization, the ability to learn new techniques, and an excellent track record in college. We expect to teach the biochemical, molecular biology, and neuroscience approaches that will be used. This is an ideal position for a recent college graduate interested in preparing for graduate or medical school. Members from groups underrepresented in STEM are especially encouraged to apply.

The successful candidate should have a flexible schedule, as this job will sometimes require working on weekends.

Working Conditions: Research Laboratory setting
Physical Requirements: Ability to lift 25lbs above head is necessary.

Basic Qualifications:

• At least one-year related work experience (relevant course work may count towards experience). 
• College background or equivalent work experience, preferably in a related discipline.

Additional Qualifications and Skills:

• A bachelor’s degree in animal sciences, biology, neuroscience, computer science, or a related field preferred.
• Knowledge and experience working with animals is desirable.
• Demonstrated abilities in basic laboratory techniques helpful, but not required. 
• Exposure to applicable computer technologies, including specific software applications, may be required. 
• Appropriate communications skills required. 

• Term: This is a one-year term position from the date of hire, with the possibility of extension, contingent upon work performance and continued funding to support the position. 
• Standard Hours/Schedule: 35 hrs. per week | Monday - Friday | 9:00 am - 5:00 pm. Occasional off-hour/weekend work that will be coordinated in advance.
• Visa Sponsorship Information: Harvard University is unable to provide visa sponsorship for this position.
• Pre-Employment Screening: Identity, Criminal, Pre-Placement Medical Evaluation
• Other Information: Please note that we are currently conducting a majority of interviews and onboarding remotely and virtually. We appreciate your understanding.
• Staying Informed About Your Application: Due to the high volume of applications, we may not always be able to reach out right away, but you can track your status anytime through the Careers@Harvard portal.

Work Format Details

This position has been determined by school or unit leaders that all duties and responsibilities must be performed at a Harvard or Harvard-designated location. Certain visa types may limit work location. Individuals must meet work location sponsorship requirements prior to employment.

Salary Grade and Ranges

This position is salary grade level 052. Please visit  Harvard's Salary Ranges  to view the corresponding salary range and related information. 

Benefits

Harvard offers a comprehensive benefits package that is designed to support a healthy work-life balance and your physical, mental and financial wellbeing. Because here, you are what matters. Our benefits include, but are not limited to: 

• Generous paid time off including parental leave 
• Medical, dental, and vision health insurance coverage starting on day one 
• Retirement plans with university contributions 
• Wellbeing and mental health resources 
• Support for families and caregivers 
• Professional development opportunities including tuition assistance and reimbursement 
• Commuter benefits, discounts and campus perks 

Learn more about these and additional benefits on our Benefits & Wellbeing Page. 

EEO/Non-Discrimination Commitment Statement

Harvard University is committed to equal opportunity and non-discrimination. We seek talent from all parts of society and the world, and we strive to ensure everyone at Harvard thrives. Our differences help our community advance Harvard's academic purposes.

Harvard has an equal employment opportunity policy that outlines our commitment to prohibiting discrimination on the basis of race, ethnicity, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status, religion, disability, or any other characteristic protected by law or identified in the university's non-discrimination policy. Harvard's equal employment opportunity policy and non-discrimination policy help all community members participate fully in work and campus life free from harassment and discrimination.