Research Assistant II- Flow Core Lab

at  Boston Childrens Hospital

JOB POSTING DESCRIPTION

The Program in Cellular and Molecular Medicine (PCMM) at Boston Children’s Hospital is seeking a Research Assistant to join our flow cytometry core. PCMM is one of several interdisciplinary programs at BCH, comprised of 16 labs focused on increasing the understanding of the influence of immune defense and inflammation on medical discovery, healthcare, and disease management.

This Research Assistant II will be responsible for:

• Operation of BD flow cytometry analyzers including SORP Canto II and Cytek Aurora with associated high-throughput samplers, as well as BD Aria IIu and Sony SH800Z cell sorters.
• Maintenance and quality control of above-mentioned instruments. This can involve diagnosis, and potentially repair, of fluidic, optical and electronic issues, or working with the manufacturer’s service representatives remotely to diagnose or repair issues. .
• Performing aseptic sorts for clients. Candidate will work with diverse samples, some containing potentially-hazardous human pathogens.
• Training and supervising a diverse population of medical and research professionals to successfully operate the above instrumentation.
• Assuming the role of lab safety officer, requiring knowledge of general lab safety rules, chemical safety and blood-borne pathogen-related regulations and procedures, which must be conveyed to facility users and enforced. Candidate will conduct lab-specific safety trainings and ensure that lab spaces comply with Environmental Health & Safety requirements.
• Interacting with service technicians from instrument manufacturers to schedule repairs, order parts and remotely diagnose, or potentially repair failing instrumentation.
• Routine lab administration, including maintaining supply inventory, ordering, monthly billing. Candidate should be familiar with iLab laboratory management software and its functionality.
• Keeping current of new techniques, reagents and technology, and present this information on the website.
• Investigate novel reagents that will benefit current clients.
• Maintain and develop facility website as a resource for clients.
• Contribute to development of marketing strategies to grow customer base.
• Maintain, startup and shutdown the Cytek ImageStreamX MarkII and work with service personnel to troubleshoot issues or effect repair of the unit.

In order to qualify, you must have:

• Bachelor’s degree in STEM or Psychology and a minimum of 1 year of relevant work experience.
• Expertise in sterile technique and previous experience performing tissue culture, and cell enumeration using a hemocytometer.
• Proficiency with BD Diva version 8.01 flow cytometry software, Cytek Spectroflo and Sony cell sorter software preferred.
• Mechanical aptitude and familiarity with common hand tools, including screwdrivers, wrenches, pliers, and vise grips, is required.

Boston Children’s Hospital offers competitive compensation and unmatched benefits including flexible schedules, affordable health, vision and dental insurance, child care and student loan subsidies, generous levels of time off, 403(b) Retirement Savings plan, Pension, Tuition and certain License and Certification Reimbursement, cell phone plan discounts and discounted rates on T-passes. Experience the benefits of passion and teamwork.

• Operation of BD flow cytometry analyzers including SORP Canto II and Cytek Aurora with associated high-throughput samplers, as well as BD Aria IIu and Sony SH800Z cell sorters.
• Maintenance and quality control of above-mentioned instruments. This can involve diagnosis, and potentially repair, of fluidic, optical and electronic issues, or working with the manufacturer’s service representatives remotely to diagnose or repair issues. .
• Performing aseptic sorts for clients. Candidate will work with diverse samples, some containing potentially-hazardous human pathogens.
• Training and supervising a diverse population of medical and research professionals to successfully operate the above instrumentation.
• Assuming the role of lab safety officer, requiring knowledge of general lab safety rules, chemical safety and blood-borne pathogen-related regulations and procedures, which must be conveyed to facility users and enforced. Candidate will conduct lab-specific safety trainings and ensure that lab spaces comply with Environmental Health & Safety requirements.
• Interacting with service technicians from instrument manufacturers to schedule repairs, order parts and remotely diagnose, or potentially repair failing instrumentation.
• Routine lab administration, including maintaining supply inventory, ordering, monthly billing. Candidate should be familiar with iLab laboratory management software and its functionality.
• Keeping current of new techniques, reagents and technology, and present this information on the website.
• Investigate novel reagents that will benefit current clients.
• Maintain and develop facility website as a resource for clients.
• Contribute to development of marketing strategies to grow customer base.
• Maintain, startup and shutdown the Cytek ImageStreamX MarkII and work with service personnel to troubleshoot issues or effect repair of the unit