Technical Research Assistant 1

Site: The Brigham and Women's Hospital, Inc.

Mass General Brigham relies on a wide range of professionals, including doctors, nurses, business people, tech experts, researchers, and systems analysts to advance our mission. As a not-for-profit, we support patient care, research, teaching, and community service, striving to provide exceptional care. We believe that high-performing teams drive groundbreaking medical discoveries and invite all applicants to join us and experience what it means to be part of Mass General Brigham.

Job Summary

GENERAL SUMMARY: 
We are currently recruiting for: one - full time, Technical Research Assistant - Level I (entry level) candidate to join our team! Will Train.
Perform laboratory work and office duties associated with the Channing/Harvard Cohorts Biorepository (CHCB).

Mass General Brigham's CHCB houses some of the largest, most intensively studied, longitudinal cohorts in the World and houses the Nurses' Health Study (I and II), the Health Professionals Follow-up Study, Growing Up Today Study, and the Physician's Health Study I - over 3 million research biospecimens - that distributes thousands of biospecimens for research annually. 

Principle Duties:

No Direct Patient Care

Under the direction of the Senior Laboratory and Biobank Manager:

Distribution: As part of a team, execute the production and distribution of projects by preparing the necessary computer files; retrieving biospecimens from Liquid Nitrogen (LN2) freezers; printing labels; aliquoting; adding quality control samples (QCs); double checking the project; creating of ship lists; arranging for local deliveries or shipments via courier; placing the remaining samples in permanent storage and updating the electronic records; and record all the details of each  project.

Collections: Assist Collection Laboratory Manager, when needed in creation of kits; processing incoming biospecimen collections via standard operating protocols (SOPs);  entering specimens and questionnarire data into a Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS); perform testing for quality control testing (QCT) to confirm storgage locations.

Data Recordation: Incumbent will be trained on how to use the LIMS and UNIX System and assist upper management, regularly, by discussing the process, improvement needs, and workflow.

Infrastructure: As part of a team, incumbent will be involved in semi-weekly monitoring and upkeep of the: freezer health of liquid nitrogen and -80 C freezers; external bulk tank; and Dewar replacements. Consolidate and update samples in the freezers.  Assist in organization of temporary storage: quality controls, and drift pools.

Emergency Responder: In very rare cases, incumbent is expected to assist the team when a freezer emergency occurs. May be asked to come in during the evening or on a weekend for a few hours to assist in urgent transfer of biospecimens, additional generous compensation for an events.

General: As needed, incumbent will be required to contribute to other general activities such as proofreading, contributing, and/or writing SOPs; organization and inventory of supplies; and presenting items to be ordered.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY: 

Not Applicable.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

The work takes place in both an office, laboratory, and freezer farm settings.  Frequent exposure to LN2 freezers, housed in strictly monitored air ventilation rooms.  Walking between the three sites (221 Longwood, 181 Longwood, and 667 Huntington Avenue is required throughout the year. Exposure to human biological specimen and LN2 occurs daily. Occasional trips to area hospitals, universities, and companies are required to meet with collaborating investigators and/or to deliver samples. Infrequently, the candidate may be asked to respond to assist the staff with freezer emergency (done as a group), if a freezer is in failure. 

FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY:Not Applicable

QUALIFICATIONS:       

• Bachelor’s degree in life sciences, required.
• Excellent organizational, interpersonal, and communication skills are essential.
• Comfort handling human biological and frozen specimens, strongly preferred.
• Experience with Robotics, a plus;
• Please see “Requiredments and PHYSICAL/ENVIRONMENTAL REQUIREMENTS OF THE JOB” (Below).

SKILLS/ ABILITIES/ COMPETENCIES REQUIRED:

• Ability to understand scientific terminology.
• Strict attention to detail and ability to carry out careful laboratory techniques.
• Has a comfort level with computers and databases.
• Possesses a friendly, professional personality and is a thoughtful listener.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality.
• Must be able to a lift 19 to 25-pound freezer rack repeated.
• Able to push heavy equipment. 
• Excellent communication and organization skills.

Additional Job Details (if applicable)

PHYSICAL/ENVIRONMENTAL REQUIREMENTS OF JOB

Activity

Outdoor weather conditions: 5 % of the time per month, to deliver projects to labs

Extreme cold (non-weather): 25 % of the time

Exposure to blood borne pathogens: 50% of the time

Dust or other irritants: 50% of the time

Infectious / contagious disease: 50% of the time

Cleaning agents/chemicals: 10% of the time

Hot equipment: 1% of the time

Noisy equipment: 10% of the time

Humid or wet conditions (non -weather): 10% of the time

Other LN2: LIQUID NITROGEN: 25-50% of the time

Lifting/Carry Requirements of this job

Number of pounds

Up to 10 pounds: Lift 25-50% of the time/Carry 25-50% of the time

Up to 25 pounds: Lift 25-50% of the time/Carry 25-50% of the time

Push/Pull Requirements of this job:

Number of pounds

Up to 10 pounds: 25-50% of the time

Up to 25 pounds: 25-50% of the time

Up to 50 pounds: 1-25% of the time

Up to 100 pounds: 1-25% of the time

Over 100 pounds: 1-25% of the time

Physical Activity requirements of this job:

Stand: 1-25% of the time

Walk: 1-25% of the time

Sit: 25-50% of the time

Use of hands requiring fine motor skills and sense of touch: Over 75% of the time

Move / rotate / bend wrist(s): 50-75% of the time

Type / use keyboard or other data entry device: 50-75% of the time

Reach with hands & arms: 50-75% of the time

Climb stairs: 1-25% of the time

Climb ladder or other equipment: 1-25% of the time

Balance: over 75% of the time

Stoop, kneel, crouch, bend, crawl: 1-25% of the time

Speak: 50-75% of the time

Hear: over 75% of the time

Vision Requirements of this job:

Close vision: Required

Distance vision: Required

Color vision: Required

Peripheral vision: Required

Depth perception: Required

Ability to adjust focus: Required

Safety equipment used while performing this job: Safety glasses, Lab Coat, Face Shield, Ear Plugs (during sonication), surgical mask (during COVID-19), latex or nitrile gloves, and Cryo-gloves when needed.

Level of noise typical in this work environment: Moderate

Onsite221 Longwood Avenue40RegularDay (United States of America)

Pay Range

$21.00 - /

Grade

5At Mass General Brigham, we believe in recognizing and rewarding the unique value each team member brings to our organization. Our approach to determining base pay is comprehensive, and any offer extended will take into account your skills, relevant experience if applicable, education, certifications and other essential factors. The base pay information provided offers an estimate based on the minimum job qualifications; however, it does not encompass all elements contributing to your total compensation package. In addition to competitive base pay, we offer comprehensive benefits, career advancement opportunities, differentials, premiums and bonuses as applicable and recognition programs designed to celebrate your contributions and support your professional growth. We invite you to apply, and our Talent Acquisition team will provide an overview of your potential compensation and benefits package.2200 The Brigham and Women's Hospital, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religious creed, national origin, sex, age, gender identity, disability, sexual orientation, military service, genetic information, and/or other status protected under law. We will ensure that all individuals with a disability are provided a reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. To ensure reasonable accommodation for individuals protected by Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Vietnam Veteran’s Readjustment Act of 1974, and Title I of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, applicants who require accommodation in the job application process may contact Human Resources at (857)-282-7642.

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