Download TITLE: Medical Technologist/Technician

JOB DESCRIPTION
Job Title: Research Specialist
Job Code: 000144
Salary Plan: Exempt
Lab: Galit Alter
Direct Supervisor: Todd Suscovich
Employing Hospital and Department:
Ragon Institute of MGH, MIT, and Harvard
Minimum degree and field of knowledge: PhD
Years experience required: 5–7 years
Summary:
A position is open for a full-time Research Specialist at the Ragon Institute of MGH, Harvard and MIT in the
laboratory of Galit Alter. The Alter lab specifically focuses on understanding how cytolytic antibodies,
produced during infection, may be used to target innate immune cells specifically to virally infected cells or
virions themselves, for elimination.
The Research Specialist’s role will be to carry out the science associated with this project and support the
Principal Investigator and other collaborators of the study. The Research Specialist will function as part of a
team and will work very closely with Dr. Alter and her research to ensure that all milestones are met. The
Research Specialist will be responsible for the tracking and distribution of data in addition to other tasks that
will ensure all research runs smoothly and effectively. The Research Specialist will also have the opportunity to
strengthen and maintain partnerships with domestic and international study collaborators and to think critically
about the research progress being made and identify issues that may be limiting the success of the project.
Furthermore, the Research Specialist will be asked to develop new approaches; design independent
experiments; address technical problems; present results to the group, external collaborators, and the funding
agency; design follow-up experiments; consult scientific literature; and maintain well-documented lab records.
We are interested in hiring an enthusiastic individual with a sound understanding of molecular and cellular
immunology who can work independently and take on a leadership role on the project, including supervising
research technicians and other staff working on the project.
Job Duties:
Under the direction of the Principal Investigator and/or senior research staff, the applicant independently carries
out daily activities of the laboratory.
Laboratory and related work:
 Perform assays utilizing standard techniques (antibody staining, flow cytometry, DNA/RNA extraction
and analysis, standard and quantitative PCR, ELISA, cloning)
 Cell/tissue processing, culture, and maintenance
 Maintenance of animal colony and utilization of small animal models to further project
 Independently performs routine and non-routine experiments which are moderate to complex
 Develop and troubleshoot new assays based on literature searches and discussions with the PI
 Evaluation and review of experimental data
Documentation:
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Detailed documentation of the experimental work
Regular maintenance, cataloging and back-up of experimental data files
Contribute to writing of SOPs, study reports, and protocols
Preparation of presentation materials for internal and external meetings
Communication:
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Regular communication with supervisor and team/group colleagues (one-on-one and group meetings)
Prepare, review, present, and approve data and reports for external collaborators and funding agencies
Presentation of data at external meetings and/or symposia as well as to internal and external
collaborators and funding agencies
Supervise research technicians and other staff working on project
Prepare and write manuscripts detailing project results
Qualifications:
 PhD in Immunology, Molecular Biology, Virology or related field and 5–7 years post-experience
 Broad technical skill-set with extensive hands-on expertise in both molecular (DNA and RNA assays,
molecular cloning, protein immunoassays) and cellular (cell culture, multiparameter flow cytometry)
techniques; experience with recombinant protein production and purification preferred
 Hands-on experience designing and performing experiments using small animal models
 A working knowledge of the intricacies of B cell development and differentiation, experience with RNAi,
and glycobiology experience would beneficial
 Demonstrated proficiency in the use of software tools to support data analysis (e.g., Prism, FlowJo,
MATLAB)
 Demonstrated experience supervising, training, and managing research technicians
 Independently motivated, detailed orientated and good problem solving ability
 Excellent organizational and time management skills with the ability to work under tight timelines with
changing priorities
 Ability to multi-task and work independently under pressure
 Ability to work in a team environment, meet deadlines, and prioritize and balance work from multiple
individuals
 Must be willing to learn and grow
 Excellent documentation skills
 Must have good interpersonal skills
 Some occasional weekend or evening flexibility may be required
The above job description details the major duties and qualifications of the listed position. The employee hired
to this position confirms that he/she is able to perform all duties outlined. Although the specific duties and
responsibilities of this position may vary slightly, the supervisor of this position will ensure that the employee
hired to this position is trained and qualified to complete each task assigned. If the duties or responsibilities of
this position need to change significantly, then the supervisor must submit an updated job description to the
Office Manager for review.
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