Research Assistant 3 Lab

Job Description

The Nascent Transcriptomics Core at Harvard Medical School is seeking a Research Assistant III to join our team. Analysis of nascent RNA – RNA actively being made – can reveal details of transcriptional responses to drugs and other perturbations in a way that other RNA sequencing methods can miss. For this reason, nascent RNA-seq methods in conjunction with Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) technology, are quickly becoming the first choice for revealing direct targets of gene regulation and the identification of regulatory elements such as enhancers. The Nascent Transcriptomics Core isolates nascent RNA using biochemical methods and uses it to construct high-quality NGS libraries, oversees sequencing, and provides users with actionable, analyzed data.  We make nascent RNA techniques and analyses available to the general research community on a fee-for-service, customer-oriented basis.

The Research Assistant III reports to the Director of the Nascent Transcriptomics Core (NTC) and is responsible for constructing high-quality    nascent RNA libraries for NGS, optimizing methods for their construction, and analyzing the data. This position offers the opportunity to learn cutting-edge NGS methods and nascent RNA library construction strategies, gain experience with nascent RNA data analysis, contribute to projects of direct biomedical relevance, and provide a valuable, collaborative service to the scientific research community at Harvard Medical School and the greater Boston area.

The samples handled by the NTC are often precious and difficult to replace. Consequently, this position demands exceptional attention to detail. It also requires the experience and discretion to interpret and precisely execute complex and lengthy molecular biology protocols, coordinating across steps so that projects are completed efficiently and with minimal waste. NTC also works to refine our methods to increase robustness, reduce sample input requirements, and extend the range of possible sample types.  The successful applicant must be highly organized, focused, and able to work efficiently and independently on multiple tasks with deadlines.  They should be able to independently conduct experiments relevant to method optimization and contribute to the design of these experiments.  The work environment is highly collaborative, thus the successful candidate must work well as part of a team in addition to being able to work effectively independently, and possess strong interpersonal and communication skills. Above all, successful candidates needs to be committed to providing a high quality of service to users of the Core.

Primary Responsibilities

• Receive and perform quality control (QC) on cells and materials from users.
• Construct NGS libraries according to established protocols.
• Perform QC on constructed libraries using qPCR, TapeStation, gel electrophoresis, etc., and submit for high-throughput sequencing.
• Analyze users' data following established pipelines and scripts. This includes:  
  • Interpret analysis results and investigate potential problems.
  • Prepare data packages for users.
  • Keep detailed, accurate, up-to-date records of all samples and experiments.

Secondary Responsibilities

• Maintain laboratory stocks and replace as needed.
• Maintain laboratory records.
• In consultation with the core director, devise and execute experiments to test protocol improvements.
• Advise users on sample preparation.
• Other laboratory duties as assigned by the core director.

Qualifications

Basic Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Molecular Biology, Cell Biology, Biochemistry, or related discipline, or 4 or more years of laboratory experience in these or related disciplines.
• 2 years of direct work experience in the laboratory setting.

Additional Qualifications and Skills:

• Demonstrated knowledge of general molecular cloning techniques, and basic laboratory procedures (e.g PCR, qPCR, nucleic acid ligation, buffer preparation, etc.).
• Experience with RNase free techniques.
• Experience with NGS library construction (RNA-seq, ChIP-seq, etc).
• Familiarity with Linux command line, shell script, or R.
• Knowledge of bioinformatics related to NGS data analysis.
• Experience with mammalian tissue culture and aseptic technique.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.

Additional Information

• 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
• Visa Sponsorship Information: Harvard University is unable to provide visa sponsorship for this position.
• Pre-Employment Screening: Identity, Education
• 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.

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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 054. 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.