Research Specialist, Pathology

GENERAL SUMMARY:

The Massachusetts Host-Microbiome Center supports basic-science and human studies defining how our colonizing microbes affect health and disease. The Research Specialist supports the research programs in the MHMC with particular focus on molecular and microbiologic workflows and reports into the MHMC's Technical Director and Medical Director. Active Center projects investigate functions of microbes and microbial metabolism in host physiology, including modulating immune responses, metabolic syndromes, inflammatory bowel disease, and resistance to infectious agents. The Center also supports a multi-institutional program in genomic pathogen surveillance to counter multi-drug resistant organisms (MDRO) and inform area hospital infection control teams to halt spread of agents including MRSA, drug-resistant Enterobacteriaceae, and C. difficile.

The candidate will manage workflows involving microbiologic testing and research-focused microbiologic analyses including quantitation of anaerobes from primary samples, and preparation of materials for microbial genomic, RNA sequencing, or 16S rRNA gene phylotyping or metagenomic analyses. The position will also take leadership on validating and optimizing new workflows and suggesting improvements for microbiology- and NGS-based analyses, including with review of primary literature and analyses of vendor-provided documentation, and will also be involved in coordinating project plans with Center faculty and users of microbiologic platforms. Candidates will also have opportunity to prepare materials for publication with co-authorship.

Successful candidates must have good organizational, critical thinking, and communication skills, capacity to work effectively within a team environment, and on projects with defined timelines. Candidates must have at least 2 years of prior microbiology experience, that includes at least 1 year of experience with NGS workflows. The position offers the opportunity to work with internationally-renown scientists on sequencing applications to inform infection prevention efforts in healthcare settings, and on the development microbiota-informed therapies for human disease.

PRINCIPAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Provide high-quality services internal clients/investigators, and external users. Ensure close coordination with clients for requested analyses and to optimize workflows to fit their needs.

2. Perform molecular and microbiologic-based analyses, including methods using culture, DNA/RNA isolations, PCR, or next generation sequencing.

3. Handle primary samples and isolates with appropriate sterile technique, and conditions for growth, including under anaerobic conditions in an anaerobic chamber.

4. Oversee and work with other Center staff on pre-analytic processes to prepare materials, including for nucleic acid extractions and library prep.

5. Follow appropriate SOPs for handling of samples and performing testing.

6. Work with Center technical director and project management staff to monitor timelines for analyses and results.

7. Monitor performance of supporting equipment including extractors, liquid handlers, and short, and long read sequencers.

8. Maintain high quality in technical work including following lab procedures, documenting, and assessing quality control parameters from analyses, maintaining accurate information in lab archive, compiling data and analyzing results into comprehensive and usable forms, LIMS and project management software.

9. Work with bioinformatics personnel to evaluate quality of sequencing runs and use of sequencing data for downstream analyses handled by computational teams.

10. Coordinate data transfers with end users and other Center personnel.

11. Oversee platform and testing improvements and optimization

12. Assist in preparation of materials for publications.

1. Assist in the orientation and training of other employees in laboratory procedures.
2. Assist with all other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS:

* Master's degree in a biomedical or quantitative science

* 3-5 years' experience in an academic or laboratory research setting

* At least 2 years of prior experience working in microbiology and with next generation sequencing (NGS) approaches to analyze bacterial genomes and/or microbiome signatures.

SKILLS/ABILITIES/COMPETENCIES REQUIRED:

- Must be a problem solver willing to take the initiative and prioritize tasks, thereby ensuring the smooth and efficient conduct of several projects simultaneously.

- Ability to perform a variety of highly specialized cell culture and molecular biology procedures.

- A high degree of computer literacy in order to use various spreadsheet, database, accounting and word processing programs to assist in administrative, grant proposal preparation, and research reporting activities.

- Excellent organizational skills in order to formulate implement and monitor a number of interrelated tasks.

- Ability to exercise discretion and good judgment in handling of sensitive and confidential information.

- Ability to work under deadline pressure and prioritize work from several sources.

- Excellent interpersonal skills for internal and external communications.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:

Possible oversight of junior research assistants who handle primary sample collections from microbiologic or animal model studies, to ensure appropriate handling and pre-analytic manipulations to support needed microbiologic and/or molecular studies.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

Research laboratory space that is designated biohazard level 2. Some lifting and bending of 20lbs or less for placement or retrieval of bulk supplies used in analyses. Familiarity with working in a biosafety cabinet and dead air box, as warranted, for preparation of materials to be subjected to analyses.

BWH is an Affirmative Action Employer. By embracing diverse skills, perspectives and ideas, we choose to lead. 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.