Technical Research Asst II MRA

Site: The McLean Hospital Corporation

Mass General Brigham relies on a wide range of professionals including doctors nurses business people tech experts researchers and systems analysts to advance our mission. As a not-for-profit we support patient care research teaching and community service striving to provide exceptional care. We believe that high-performing teams drive groundbreaking medical discoveries and invite all applicants to join us and experience what it means to be part of Mass General Brigham.

This is a position for a Tissue Coordinator at the Harvard Brain Tissue Resource Center (HBTRC) a brain repository part of the NIH NeuroBioBank. The HBTRC is a centralized resource for the collection and distribution of human brain specimens for research. We receive brain donations from across the US and make tissue samples available to investigators across the world. This research is of critical importance in furthering our understanding of disorders of the nervous system such as neurological neurodevelopmental and psychiatric disorders.


The following are a Tissue Coordinator main responsibilities:

1. Perform brain dissections during regular hours and off-hours

2. Prepare tissue samples for distribution to investigators interacting with them as needed to ensure that the samples match their request. Coordinating with other NeuroBioBank tissue repositories to fulfillcriteria of requestedcohort.

3. Work with other Tissue Coordinators to maintain an accurate tissue inventory tracking and storage maintenance of the frozen and fixed tissue inventory

4. Arrange for the annual preventative maintenance and calibration of equipment. Responsible for keeping thelabequipment clean and running optimally upgrading equipment as needed ordering supplies and keeping the laboratory clean neat and orderly.

5. Responsible for keeping track of the laboratorys production and provide laboratory statistics for monthly departmental staff meetings progress reports and grant applications/renewals.

6. Participate in conducting visits to the HBTRC laboratories.

7. Off-hours brain donation coordination (remotely - carryHBTRConcallphoneandperformall procedures necessary to arrange for brain donation

8. Contribute to preparation and updates of standard operating procedures (SOPs) relevant to their responsibilities

9. All other duties as assigned




QUALIFICATIONS:

Experience with histology neuropathology and particularly neuroanatomy is strongly preferred for this position.

Must be proficient with Microsoft Word and Excel. Must demonstrate attention to details and accuracy in data entry

The candidate must be able to work independently with minimal supervision.

Must have exceptional interpersonal skills and work well within a team

Requires basic understanding of HIPAA regulations patient confidentiality and IT security. Must possess integrity to maintain confidentiality and respect for subjects right and individual need

Experience with the medical environment knowledge of clinical terms particularly related to psychiatry neurology and pharmacology experience related to clinical record use are strongly preferred.

All McLean team members are expected to consistently demonstrate our values of integrity compassion respect diversity teamwork excellence and innovation in their work activities and interactions.

Job Summary

Summary
The research assistant will work very independently under general supervision on all aspects of a research project involving behavioral pharmacology and molecular genetic methods in laboratory rodents in the Neurobiology of Motivated Behavior Laboratory. The RA will master execute and comprehend protocols involving a variety of routine and non-routine laboratory experiments at a professional level. They may develop modification of existing techniques as collaboration with other members of the research team they give input to the development and improvement of design protocols. They calculate transcribe and analyze data using statistical techniques. May be responsible for orienting and training new staff. May serve in a supervisory role in a smaller lab.

Does this position require Patient Care
No

Essential Functions
-Independently performs stereotactic rodent surgery and rodent transcardial perfusions which requires a high level of visual acuity eye-hand coordination and mental focus.

-Independently performs rodent behavioral assays which are moderate to complex. Behaviors include intracranial self-stimulation (ICSS) intravenous self-administration (IVSA) place conditioning as well as rodent handling and monitoring

-Independently performs routine and non-routine experiments which are moderate to complex. Experiments may include specific assays (ELISA immunohistochemistry Western blotting qRT-PCR) and histological examination of brain tissue.

-Calculates transcribes and analyzes data using Microsoft Excel and GraphPad Prism among others.

-Helps other lab members run routine experiments when help is general operates as a contributing team member.

-Performs literature searches and helps to prepare presentations and written articles for publication.

-In collaboration with senior members of the lab establishes new and modifies existing research techniques.

-Ability and eagerness to constantly learn and strive for independence in day-to-day work.

Education
Bachelors Degree required

Can this role accept experience in lieu of a degree
No

Licenses and Credentials

Experience
At least one year of experience in a directly related research setting 1-2 years required

Knowledge Skills and Abilities
- Positive work ethic.
- Good time management skills.
- Sound analytical and organizational skills.
- Requires good oral and written communication skills.
- Must be able to logically and effectively structure tasks and set priorities.
- Ability to identify potential problems and troubleshoot solutions.
- Comfortable and competent handling rodents for behavioral studies.

Physical Requirements

• Standing Frequently (34-66%)
• Walking Frequently (34-66%)
• Sitting Occasionally (3-33%)
• Lifting Frequently (34-66%) 35lbs (w/assisted device)
• Carrying Frequently (34-66%) 20lbs - 35lbs
• Pushing Occasionally (3-33%)
• Pulling Occasionally (3-33%)
• Climbing Rarely (Less than 2%)
• Balancing Frequently (34-66%)
• Stooping Occasionally (3-33%)
• Kneeling Occasionally (3-33%)
• Crouching Occasionally (3-33%)
• Crawling Rarely (Less than 2%)
• Reaching Frequently (34-66%)
• Gross Manipulation (Handling) Frequently (34-66%)
• Fine Manipulation (Fingering) Frequently (34-66%)
• Feeling Constantly (67-100%)
• Foot Use Rarely (Less than 2%)
• Vision - Far Constantly (67-100%)
• Vision - Near Constantly (67-100%)
• Talking Constantly (67-100%)
• Hearing Constantly (67-100%)

Onsite

115 Mill Street

40

Regular

Day (United States of America)

Pay Range

$23.03 - $34.43/Hourly

Grade

MRA501

At Mass General Brigham we believe in recognizing and rewarding the unique value each team member brings to our organization. Our approach to determining base pay is comprehensive and any offer extended will take into account your skills relevant experience if applicable education certifications and other essential factors. The base pay information provided offers an estimate based on the minimum job qualifications; however it does not encompass all elements contributing to your total compensation addition to competitive base pay we offer comprehensive benefits career advancement opportunities differentials premiums and bonuses as applicable and recognition programs designed to celebrate your contributions and support your professional growth. We invite you to apply and our Talent Acquisition team will provide an overview of your potential compensation and benefits package.

1600 The McLean Hospital Corporation is an Equal Opportunity Employer. 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. To ensure reasonable accommodation for individuals protected by Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 the Vietnam Veterans Readjustment Act of 1974 and Title I of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 applicants who require accommodation in the job application process may contact Human Resources at .

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