Research Assistant I

at  Harvard University

POSITION DESCRIPTION

We are seeking a highly motivated and independent individual for a full-time research technician position in Dr. Bernardo Sabatini’s laboratory at Harvard Medical School. The research technician will work primarily with a postdoctoral fellow and/or a graduate student, to perform high-throughput genetic screening in mice. We are applying novel technologies to study neuronal function in health and disease in search of potential novel therapeutics.
The technician’s responsibilities will span the entire process of in vivo genetic screening, beginning with molecular biology, microbiology, viral packaging and injections, mouse colony management, and next generation sequencing preparation. The technician will also have the opportunity to perform analysis and contribute intellectually.
The technician will participate in weekly lab meetings and fulfill lab responsibilities. The technician will learn and perform experiments with the postdoctoral fellow and/or graduate student and meet with them frequently to discuss experimental planning and data interpretation.
Prior laboratory experience is required, as well as strong organizational skills and an eagerness to learn. Successful candidates will be independent, flexible, self-motivated, and able to assimilate new information and execute quickly. They will have the opportunity to direct the research project while taking advantage of the intelligent, diverse, welcoming, and exciting team of researchers at the Sabatini lab.

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS

One-year related lab experience. Advanced education may count towards experience.

ADDITIONAL QUALIFICATIONS AND SKILLS

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree with prior experience in a wet lab environment.
• Excellent organizational and communication skills are required.
• Experience in one or more of the following techniques would be preferred: molecular biology, mouse colony management, and mouse work.
• Experience or willingness to work with mice as well as performing survival and non- survival procedures as necessary.
• Analytical skills to resolve problems that require the use of basic scientific, mathematical, or technical principles. Some experience with programming, using MATLAB and/or Python is preferred.
• Candidates should be communicative with excellent interpersonal skills, attentive to detail, organized, and thoughtful about the protocols and techniques being executed.
• Creativity, flexibility, and perseverance to troubleshoot and overcome inevitable experimental difficulties and changing experimental goals in light of new results.

Please refer the Job description for details