Research Technician

Dana-Farber Cancer Institute•Boston, MA

10d

About The Position

The Dana-Farber Cancer Institute seeks a research technician to focus on next-generation, translational pathology studies who will work within the Wolpin-Nowak laboratory (https://labs.dana-farber.org/wolpin-nowaklab/) as part of the Hale Family Center for Pancreatic Cancer Research (https://labs.dana-farber.org/halecenter) and the Lustgarten Foundation Pancreatic Cancer Research Laboratory at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. Our research group investigates the biology and risk factors associated with pancreatic and other gastrointestinal cancers. We aim to improve outcomes for patients with these diseases both by identifying cancer earlier, when the chance for a cure is greater, and by improving therapy. We focus on learning from cancer patients by studying human biospecimens so that our discoveries can be rapidly and confidently translated into improved clinical care. Our laboratory members include epidemiologists, biostatisticians, pathologists, data scientists, molecular biologists, and clinical researchers, all of whom contribute their unique expertise to our lab’s work. We employ a broad variety of analysis approaches and techniques in our laboratory, including population-scale epidemiology studies, digital pathology, genomic sequencing, and spatial transcriptomic and protein profiling. Our tissue profiling work encompasses both clinical trial correlative studies and landscape-directed discovery studies. We work closely with the Gastrointestinal Cancer Center Biobank to acquire blood, tissue, and other sample types from patients at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. Finally, we routinely collaborate both with investigators at Dana-Farber and across the nation to study pancreatic cancer using model systems and to conduct and lead clinical trials. 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. 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.

Requirements

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.
The position requires a bachelor’s degree, preferably in biology or chemistry, with no prior professional experience necessary.
Candidates will learn and apply technical principles, processes, and concepts, use institutional policies to address routine issues, and work on problems of limited scope.
The role involves following standard practices to analyze situations or data and building stable internal working relationships.
Bachelor's Degree required with a major in biology or chemistry preferred.

Nice To Haves

Experience with programming in R, Python or similar languages is a plus.
Familiarity with tissue-based pathology analysis is a plus.

Responsibilities

Perform experimental analyses in the laboratory, conduct quality control review of data, interpret results, and share findings in formal and information presentations of results to lab members.
Prepare biospecimen for analysis, including sectioning of formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissue.
Set up, adjust, calibrate, clean, maintain and troubleshoot equipment.
Clean, maintain and prepare supplies and work areas. May be responsible for ordering supplies. Collaborate with purchasing. May be responsible for negotiating with vendors.
Maintain detailed records tracking experiments and other work-related activities in either electronic or written notebooks.
Monitor laboratory work to ensure compliance with Environmental Health and Safety information as well as standard operation procedures specific to our laboratory.
Demonstrate intellectual and interactive commitment to position by keeping up with appropriate literature and research publications.
Use computers and computer-interfaced instrumentation to perform work duties.
Assist with various needs of the GI Biobank, including blood processing and sample organization.
May be responsible for the development, modification and improvement of laboratory assays under the supervision of senior lab members.
May be responsible for the examination of animal tissue specimens for project involving collaborating laboratories