Research Lab Tech 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

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 questionnaire data into a Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS); perform testing for quality control testing (QCT) to confirm storage locations.

Data Recordation: The 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, the 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, the 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 each event.

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:

TThe 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 specimens 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 emergencies (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 "Requirements 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 lift a 19 to 25-pound freezer rack repeatedly.
• Able to push heavy equipment. 
• Excellent communication and organization skills. 

Additional Job Details (if applicable)

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 - $29.01/Hourly

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.

Mass General Brigham Competency Framework