Job Information
Harvard University Research Assistant I Lab in Cambridge, Massachusetts
65840BRAuto req ID:65840BRJob Code:403108 Research Assistant I Lab Department Office Location:USA - MA - Boston Business Title:Research Assistant I LabSub-Unit:------------ Salary Grade (https://hr.harvard.edu/salary-ranges#ranges) :052Time Status:Full-time Union:55 - Hvd Union Cler & Tech Workers Basic Qualifications:
- 1+ years of related experience required; a combination of education and experience may be considered
Additional Qualifications and Skills: The following job-specific skills and competencies are preferred:
Bachelor's degree in Biochemistry, Chemistry, or related field
Master's Degree preferred
Experience in a laboratory setting
Proficiency with chemical lab instrumentation and wet lab experience
Basic lab skills such as solutions preparation, pipetting, and general lab safety techniques
Prior experience with chromatographic instrumentation, especially GC, HPLC, and ELISA including data analysis
Experience with Microsoft Excel and Word
The following cultural competencies are also preferred:
Awareness of and aptitude to appropriately and effectively understand, respect, and adapt to cultural and identity-based difference within group environments
Knowledge of and commitment to concepts and issues tied to social justice, diversity, equity, and inclusion
Skills related to creating and supporting an environment that allows for inclusion, effective intercultural engagement, and personal humility and authenticity
Additional Information: Join the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health to support our mission of health research and education, and to be a part of the oldest institution of higher learning in the country!
The Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health does not provide visa sponsorship, now or in the future, for staff positions.
Harvard University requires pre-employment reference checks and background screenings.
This position has a 90 day orientation and review period. The O&R period will be waived for any internal Harvard employee transfers.
The health of our workforce is a priority for Harvard University. With that in mind, we strongly encourage all employees to be up to date on CDC-recommended vaccines. Department:NutritionPre-Employment Screening:Criminal, IdentityJob Function:Research Position Description: Additional duties and responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following:
Organic phase extraction from human blood, human tissues, and food products
Operation and maintenance of GC-FID and other chromatography instruments such as HPLC
Conduct an ELISA assays
Integration of chromatograms, reduction of data, and generation of raw data forms for further evaluation
Reviewing integrated data with lab manager, discussion of operational performance and assay troubleshooting
Monitoring of lab supplies; stock and ordering supplies when necessary
Maintenance of lab equipment and general lab housekeeping such as conducting samples and supplies inventories
Other duties as assigned
The schedule for this position is Monday-Friday, 9AM-5PM and some scheduling flexibility may be required.
PLEASE NOTE: This position has a term end date of one year from date of hire, with the possibility for extension based on project needs and funding. School/Unit:Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health EEO Statement:We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, gender identity, sexual orientation, pregnancy and pregnancy-related conditions, or any other characteristic protected by law.Physical Requirements:
Must be able to sit and/or stand at lab bench for several hours at a time
Must be able to lift 50 pounds
Working Conditions:
- This Biohazard Safety Level 2 laboratory will require use of personal protective equipment including lab coat, safety glasses, and latex or nitrile gloves
Job Summary: We are seeking a Research Assistant (RA) to help with assessing fatty acids from large patient studies. The RA will be performing solvent-based extractions of fatty acids from human samples, performing GC-FID characterization of FA constituents, and then analyzing chromatographic data to measure relative levels of key FA’s. Following data analysis, results are compiled into reports for review with the lab manager. Tasks associated with routine GC maintenance, monitoring of consumables used, and efficient chromatography data analysis will be key to this role.
The successful Research Assistant may also have opportunities to learn assessments of carotenoids/antioxidants and lipoproteins using HPLC-based methods and immunoassays, respectively. Other lab-related tasks may be assigned. This position will require a candidate with a willingness to learn chemical instrumentation and the requisite assays for measuring essential biomolecules and immunoassays such as ELISA, all while gaining insights to the operations of a Harvard core facility and contributing meaningfully to a collaborative study. Strong communication skills and a superlative work ethic are desired for the analyst in this role.
Basic laboratory bench skills should include working with a variety of solvents, pipettors, and preparation of solutions. Familiarity with chemistry lab instrumentation such as gas chromatography, HPLC, and/or capillary electrophoresis are desirable. Strong proficiency with Excel, Word, and familiarity with various Office programs and PC-based operating systems are essential. The candidate will be required to work in a BSL2-level environment, handling small volumes of frozen human-derived samples while using the appropriate personal protective equipment. Commitment to Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging: At the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, we believe that diversity is integral to the Harvard experience and our mission of improving public health education, research and policy. Diversity of cultural backgrounds, identities, lived experiences, perspectives, and ways of understanding the world enriches our community and enables us to best meet the public health needs of the United States and the world. Ongoing learning and development related to diversity allows for both individual and institutional growth, and is necessary to foster and sustain a culture of inclusion. To achieve this, we are committed to ensuring equitable access to opportunities for learning, living, and working at the Harvard Chan School. We maintain an unwavering dedication to diversity, inclusion, and belonging as core to our institutional values and to actively counter, minimize, and address racism, sexism, xenophobia, homophobia, gender bias, and all forms of discrimination.
Learn more about the School’s mission, objectives, and core values (https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/about/) , our Principles of Citizenship (https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/about/) , and our diversity, inclusion, and belonging (https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/diversity/) initiatives. Benefits: We invite you to visit Harvard's Total Rewards website (https://hr.harvard.edu/totalrewards) to learn more about our outstanding benefits package, which may include:
Paid Time Off: 3-4 weeks of accrued vacation time per year (3 weeks for support staff and 4 weeks for administrative/professional staff), 12 accrued sick days per year, 12.5 holidays plus a Winter Recess in December/January, 3 personal days per year (prorated based on date of hire), and up to 12 weeks of paid leave for new parents who are primary care givers.
Health and Welfare: Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision benefits, disability and life insurance programs, along with voluntary benefits. Most coverage begins as of your start date.
Work/Life and Wellness: Child and elder/adult care resources including on campus childcare centers, Employee Assistance Program, and wellness programs related to stress management, nutrition, meditation, and more.
Retirement: University-funded retirement plan with contributions from 5% to 15% of eligible compensation, based on age and earnings with full vesting after 3 years of service.
Tuition Assistance Program: Competitive program including $40 per class at the Harvard Extension School and reduced tuition through other participating Harvard graduate schools.
Tuition Reimbursement: Program that provides 75% to 90% reimbursement up to $5,250 per calendar year for eligible courses taken at other accredited institutions.
Professional Development: Programs and classes at little or no cost, including through the Harvard Center for Workplace Development and LinkedIn Learning.
Commuting and Transportation: Various commuter options handled through the Parking Office, including discounted parking, half-priced public transportation passes and pre-tax transit passes, biking benefits, and more.
Harvard Facilities Access, Discounts and Perks: Access to Harvard athletic and fitness facilities, libraries, campus events, credit union, and more, as well as discounts to various types of services (legal, financial, etc.) and cultural and leisure activities throughout metro-Boston.
Work Format:On-Site LinkedIn Recruiter Tag (for internal use only):#LI-SL1Work Format Details: This position is based primarily on-campus, in Massachusetts. This may include in-person during emergency situations (if applicable). Additional details will be discussed during the interview process. Certain visa types may limit work location. Individuals must meet work location sponsorship requirements prior to employment. About Us: The mission of the Department of Nutrition at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health is to improve human health through better nutrition and lifestyle. The Department strives to accomplish this goal through research aimed at an increased understanding of how diet influences health at molecular and population levels, the development of nutritional strategies, informing policy, the education of researchers and practitioners, and the dissemination of nutrition information to health professionals and the public.
The Nutritional Biomarker Lab is a core facility within the Department of Nutrition, specializing in assays to measure a variety of physiologically-relevant biomolecules. Fatty acids, antioxidants, and lipoproteins play significant roles in human health, and the quantification of these important molecules provide insights into metabolic and inflammatory processes that underpin a variety of pathologies.