Research Technician II

General Overview:

Ongoing translational research in the Vincent Center for Reproductive Biology (VCRB) focuses on benign conditions affecting fertility and benign and malignant gynecologic tumors. The Research Technician II reports directly to the Director, Principal Investigator, and/or managers of the laboratories and is expected to work independently on assigned research with minimal guidance from a higher-level staff member or Principal Investigator. The individual is expected to carry out research activities of moderate complexity requiring some professional training. This involves interacting with patients, clinicians, nurses, OR staff, pathology, radiology and laboratory research personnel. The individual will work with clinicians and director to identify and educate patients to gain consent for sample and data collection for the gyn focused tissue repository. This individual will also be processing samples in the laboratory as per study protocol and assisting with the day-to-day operations of our gyn-fertility focused sample repository. The position is also responsible for standard molecular and biochemical analyses, establishing and maintain cell, organoid and animal experiments, as well as a number of other wet lab-based research activities including supply ordering and sample organization and inventory.

Principals Duties and Responsibilities:

• Interact with patients undergoing a fertility or gynecologic related procedure at MassGeneral Brigham. Communicate with them about our biorepository and educate them on our research objectives. Obtain informed consent from these patients for tissue, blood, and/or other body fluid collection, along with clinical information.
• Coordinate blood (or other body fluids urine, ascites, etc.) and or tissue collection with clinicians, nurses, OR staff, radiology and or pathology personnel.
• Establish and maintain organoid lines derived from primary human tissue. Similarly, the individual should be able to establish primary derived xenografts from fresh or cryopreserved malignant tissue.
• Navigate and keep up to date our Women's Health Directory and RedCap databases that store patient information, sample location, and distribution logs.
• Help prepare, submit and maintain IRB approval for our banking and research protocols. This involves submitting continuing reviews and amendments for any research updates.
• Research and collect basic study data related to assigned projects as directed through laboratory experiments and or medical record investigation as approved by the institutional review board.
• The individual will also help facilitate the experiments of Clinical Research Fellows, Postdoctoral Research Fellows, Technicians and other research personnel.
• The individual will assist with gathering information needed for grant preparation and reporting, and must be proficient in basic computer skills, including word-processing, database and spreadsheet management, email, and internet.
• Meet weekly with the Principal Investigator to discuss results, plan and implement experiments, and discuss new areas of interest.
• Attend all applicable laboratory and general VCRB meetings.
• Maintain accurate, legible research e-notebooks. Analyze and post results in notebooks within 24 hours of completing the experiments.
• Perform statistical analysis of results; prepare graphs, figures, and posters for oral and written presentations.
• Instruct students, fellows, and other research personnel in routine laboratory techniques.
• Operate and maintain various moderately complex lab equipment related to research activities.
• Participate in VCRB, departmental and laboratory training, and educational events (e.g., chemical and biosafety training, animal care practices, etc.). Practice laboratory safety following MGB and VCRB guidelines.
• Interact constructively with all laboratory personnel of the Vincent Center for Reproductive Biology, the MGB Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, and MGB Cancer Center.
• Maintain a professional demeanor within the laboratory and when attending scientific functions or meetings.

Skills/Abilities/Competencies Required:

• Proficient in or acquire the necessary skills to assist clinical and or post doctoral fellows in the initiation and or completion of their various research projects.
• The wet lab techniques required can include but are not limited to: preparation and maintenance of cell and organoid cultures, development of/or utilization of in situ and in vivo models, collection of fresh tissue, protein, lipid and nucleotide isolation and analyses (Northern, Western, EMSA, TLC, kinase assays etc.), flow cytometric analysis, molecular cloning, mutation analyses, site directed mutagenesis, CRISPR, RT-PCR, ELISA, genotyping, immunohistochemistry or immunocytochemistry, in situ hybridization and navigation of basic NCBI sponsored gene and protein data bases and interpretation programs. Prior experience with mouse handling and mouse based experiments is preferred.
• Ability to interact professionally with patients both in the clinic and in the pre-op areas on their day of surgery.
• Ability to establish and maintain positive relationships with clinicians, nurses, OR staff, radiology and or pathology personnel.
• PC and Mac competency is required
• Must have the ability to work semi-independently and display initiative and adapt to a flexible schedule.
• Excellent communication/interpersonal skills required
• Must be resourceful, self motivated, highly organized, have good time management skills, work cooperatively with others and be willing to learn new techniques.