The Sethi Laboratory at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Harvard Medical School is seeking a highly motivated, curious, friendly and dedicated full-time research technician with a bachelor’s in biology or related field to join their group starting May/June 2024. 

Our overall goal is to combine clinical observations and patient-derived data with rigorous basic science investigation to yield opportunities for impactful translational advances. Our passion for investigative research is fundamentally dependent upon its power to generate a deeper understanding of human disease and ultimately improve patient care. We are particularly committed to defining the fundamental mechanisms underlying gastrointestinal cancers with the hope that such insight will translate into new prevention and treatment methods (https://sethilab.dana-farber.org/).

The Research Technician will assist scientists in performing scientific research, development and/or clinical tasks of varying complexity.  In general, they will assist in the set up, operation and maintenance of laboratory instruments and equipment, monitoring experiments, making observations and calculating and recording results.   

Located in Boston and the surrounding communities, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute is a leader in life changing breakthroughs in cancer research and patient care. We are united in our mission of conquering cancer, HIV/AIDS and related diseases. We strive to create an inclusive, diverse, and equitable environment where we provide compassionate and comprehensive care to patients of all backgrounds, and design programs to promote public health particularly among high-risk and underserved populations. We conduct groundbreaking research that advances treatment, we educate tomorrow's physician/researchers, and we work with amazing partners, including other Harvard Medical School-affiliated hospitals.

The most important factor is motivation to learn and commitment to the team.  The research technician will be paired with a graduate student or postdoctoral fellow to learn and help assist on projects in the laboratory. They will also regularly meet with Nilay to assess progress, receive guidance, and discuss career mentorship.  

A strong preference will be given to candidates with mouse handling and breeding experience (and/or commitment to learn).

Candidates should also be familiar with standard wet lab techniques (e.g. preparation of reagents/chemicals, tissue culture, PCR, western blot, DNA/RNA purification) and motivated to learn new protocols. They will also help with common lab maintenance tasks such as ordering supplies, preparing and aliquoting common reagents, and maintaining organization in the laboratory (e.g. antibody, plasmid, and cell line repositories). Specific responsibilities may include:

• Set up, adjust, calibrate, clean, maintain and troubleshoot equipment.
• Clean, maintain and prepare supplies and work areas and may be responsible for ordering of supplies. Collaborates with Purchasing and may be responsible for negotiating with vendors.
• Conduct standardized biological, microbiological or biochemical tests and laboratory analyses, including the collection of information and samples from organic substances, such as blood, drugs, and animals.
• Isolate, identify and prepare specimens for examination.
• Analyze experimental data and interpret results to write reports and summaries of findings, including grant preparation and presentations, and look for opportunities to co-author publications. May be expected to participate in formal and information presentations of results to staff. 
• Participate in grant application process and manuscript preparation as required.
• Maintains detailed notebook of all work-related activities.
• Monitors laboratory work to ensure compliance with Environmental Health and Safety information as well as the standard operation procedures specific to each laboratory.
• Expected to provide intellectual and interactive commitment to position by keeping up with appropriate literature and research publications.
• May be responsible for the development, modification and improvement of standard operating procedures.
• Uses computers, computer-interfaced equipment, robotics or high-technology applications to perform work duties.
• May be responsible for designing and executing advanced experiments and setting strategy. 
• May be responsible for the examination of animals and specimens to detect the presence of disease or other problems.
• May be responsible for monitoring laboratory budgets.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:

Research Technician

No supervisory responsibilities.  Normally receives detailed instructions on all work.

LEARNING OUTCOMES:

Students interested in pursuing M.D., Ph.D., or M.D./Ph.D. training will benefit most from this laboratory experience. The particular advantages include: (1) learning how to think critically and understanding how hypotheses are generated; (2) learning how to design careful and well-controlled experiments to test emergent hypotheses; (3) learning cutting-edge laboratory techniques in cell and molecular biology; (4) career mentorship for medical and graduate school. All technicians will be authors on manuscripts published in the laboratory.  Highly motivated and talented technicians will be given more responsibility and may eventually lead projects, for which there is precedent in the laboratory.  

• Bachelor's Degree required with a major in biology or chemistry preferred. 
• Knowledge of information and techniques related to either biology, chemistry, or medicine is preferred.
• Must have excellent communication skills (written and verbal) and be able to work with a wide variety of faculty and staff.
• Ability to analyze information and use logic to address work-related issues and problems.
• Must have attention to detail and be thorough in completing work tasks.
• Ability to work within a team environment.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES REQUIRED:

• Knowledge of information and techniques related to either biology, chemistry, or medicine is preferred.
• Must have excellent communication skills (written and verbal) and be able to work with a wide variety of faculty and staff.
• Ability to analyze information and use logic to address work-related issues and problems.
• Must have attention to detail and be thorough in completing work tasks.
• Ability to work within a team environment.

At Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, we work every day to create an innovative, caring, and inclusive environment where every patient, family, and staff member feels they belong.  As relentless as we are in our mission to reduce the burden of cancer for all, we are equally committed to diversifying our faculty and staff.  Cancer knows no boundaries and when it comes to hiring the most dedicated and diverse professionals, neither do we. If working in this kind of organization inspires you, we encourage you to apply.

Dana-Farber Cancer Institute is an equal opportunity employer and affirms the right of every qualified applicant to receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender identity or expression, national origin, sexual orientation, genetic information, disability, age, ancestry, military service, protected veteran status, or other characteristics protected by law.

EEOC Poster

In addition to submitting your application, please send a statement of interest, CV, and three references to:

• Nilay Sethi (nilay_sethi@dfci.harvard.edu)
• Pratyusha Bala (pratyusha_bala@dfci.harvard.edu)