POSITION SUMMARY:

Under the direction of the Principal Investigator (PI) or designee, the Research Associate provides operational support to the laboratory. The Research Associate will perform research experiments as defined by the PI.
This is an open-rank posting (there are 4 levels of Research Associate) - candidates will be hired into the level commensurate with their experience.
Responsibilities:

RESEARCH ASSOCIATE IV

• Requirements noted for RA I plus:
• 5+ years of relevant research experience with a Bachelor’s Degree in Biological or Natural Science or 3+ years relevant research experience with a related Master’s degree.
  Additional Information:
  The Watson lab in the Department of Systems Biology at UMass Chan Medical School in Worcester, MA (with HHMI affiliation starting October 2025) uses high-throughput functional and structural genomics technologies to better understand karyotype evolution in tumorigenesis. We are looking for people to join our team who have any of the following experience/expertise: sequencing-based assays, sequencing library preparation, CRISPR screening, cytogenetics, mouse xenograft models, single-cell assays, computational analysis of tumor genomes, cancer cell biology, molecular biology

Duties noted above plus:

• May assist with the training of new lab personnel.
• Provide support with drafting standard operation procedures in compliance to EHS regulation specific for the lab.
• May assist with drafting manuscript sessions

Duties noted above plus:

• Perform complex laboratory experiments and may be responsible for one or more independent research projects.
• Perform in-depth data analysis and/or mathematical computations.
• Compile and analyze data and present it in a format suitable for publication according to PI specifications.
• May oversee laboratory supply levels and order as needed; negotiate with suppliers to optimize available resources.
• Monitor laboratory equipment service contracts and monitor maintenance on laboratory equipment.
• May manage general operations of the laboratory, including lab personnel, procedures, and projects.
• May create new protocols and/or modify defined protocols, as necessary, and with the approval of the PI.
• Prioritize and perform several tasks or procedures simultaneously with attention to detail.
• Perform duties and experiments with independence.
• Provide training of new lab personnel.
• May monitor laboratory spending in accordance with budget guidelines provided by PI or designee.
• May assist with budget and/or operational aspects of grant and contract funding

Duties noted above plus:

• This position will contribute significantly to the management of the research program and will be involved in multiple aspects of the research projects and lab maintenance activities.
• Independently design and perform multiple complex laboratory experiments.
• Interpret data, form conclusions, and decide on next steps with a high degree of independence.
• Maintain laboratory supply levels and order as noted.
• Manage laboratory equipment service contracts and coordinate maintenance on laboratory equipment.
• Monitor and enforce all safety regulations and infection control standards.
• Identify and write standard operation procedures in compliance to EHS regulation specific for the lab
• Train on IACUC, EHS, Radiation safety protocols
• Manage daily operations of the laboratory, including lab personnel, procedures, and projects.
• Identify problems and challenges, propose resolutions, implement appropriate solutions.
• Develop and implement new protocols and/or modify defined protocols, as necessary, and with the approval of the PI
• Mentor and train lab personnel on proper lab conduct and techniques.
• Manage laboratory spending in accordance with budget guidelines provided by PI or designee.
• Assist with budget and/or operational aspects of grant and contract proposals.
• Negotiate with vendors to optimize available resources.
• Contribute independently to writing sections for manuscripts and grants.
• Direct the activities of research support staff.
• Perform other duties as required