Research Assistant I NEUROLOGY knh
Job Location:
Boston, MA - USA
Hourly Salary:
Posted:
Application Deadline:
Vacancies:
Job Summary
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.
Job Summary
SummaryThe Research Assistant I will be positioned within the Khurana Laboratory in the Department of Neurology at Brigham and Womens Hospital and will physically work within the BWH iPSC NeuroHub (one floor above the Khurana lab). This role is designed to support Khurana Lab-driven research projects from a human cell-modeling perspective with a particular focus on induced pluripotent stem cell-derived models of neurodegenerative disease. The RA will serve as a key operational and technical liaison between Khurana Lab scientists and the BWH iPSC NeuroHub helping coordinate the generation maintenance tracking and distribution of human iPSC lines and differentiated neural cell types needed for ongoing research programs.
The Khurana Lab studies the molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying Parkinsons disease and related neurodegenerative disorders with a strong emphasis on patient-derived models human iPSC-based systems neuronal and glial differentiation synuclein biology neurotoxicity and translational disease close collaboration with the BWH iPSC NeuroHub under the directorship and mentorship of Dr. Christina Muratore the RA will contribute to the generation and maintenance of high-quality human iPSC-derived cell models and support the use of these models across Khurana Lab projects.
The BWH iPSC NeuroHub provides a centralized resource for the BWH neuroscience research community by acquiring generating maintaining characterizing and distributing human iPSC lines; developing novel differentiation methods and techniques; and educating researchers through seminars consults and hands-on support. The NeuroHub serves as an intellectual and technical center for iPSC research bringing together investigators across BWH and beyond to share expertise and advance human stem cell-based approaches to neurological disease. By embedding this RA role within the NeuroHub the Khurana Lab aims to strengthen coordination between disease-focused research programs and centralized iPSC expertise ensuring high-quality cell model generation rigorous documentation and efficient access to cell resources.
The candidate will work under the co-supervision of a senior member of the Khurana lab and Dr. Christina Muratore. The majority of training activities technical guidance and experimental planning will occur under the direct supervision of Dr. Christina Muratore and Neurohub staff. Depending on project needs and the candidates experience the role will include iPSC culture cell line maintenance and cataloguing differentiation of iPSCs into neurons and glia assay development cell-based phenotyping longitudinal imaging flow cytometry molecular biology data analysis and careful documentation of cell line inventory protocols and experimental workflows. The ideal candidate will be diligent highly organized technically careful collaborative and comfortable working across a shared research infrastructure.
Provides assistance to the Principal Investigator and Study Team in coordinating research activities that may include conducting a variety of routine experiments with established methodologies data collection and management and other research activities as assigned.
Does this position require Patient Care
No
Essential Functions
-Maintain passage catalogue and culture human iPSC lines used by the Khurana Lab and associated collaborative projects.
-Physically work within the BWH iPSC NeuroHub while serving as a dedicated Khurana Lab research assistant supporting Khurana Lab-driven cell model needs.
-Coordinate closely between Khurana Lab scientists and the NeuroHub for the generation differentiation characterization and delivery of iPSC-derived cell models.
-Support the differentiation of iPSCs into neurons glia and other relevant human neural cell types including aging and maintenance of differentiated cultures as required by specific projects.
-Assist with the development optimization and execution of cell-based assays relevant to neurodegenerative disease research including viability toxicity phenotypic imaging-based and molecular assays.
-Maintain a master inventory of all available Khurana Lab cell lines including iPSC lines differentiated derivatives engineered lines and relevant metadata.
-Track cell line provenance passage number differentiation status storage location quality control information experimental use and availability for future experiments.
-Serve as the point person for internal Khurana Lab cell requests and assist with external cell-related requests in coordination with the PI senior scientists lab leadership and NeuroHub policies.
-Help establish and maintain clear systems for requesting approving logging transferring and documenting cell line use within the Khurana Lab and with external collaborators.
-Coordinate cell banking thawing expansion freezing and distribution workflows in collaboration with NeuroHub staff and Khurana Lab scientists.
-Assist with quality control practices for iPSC and differentiated cell cultures including monitoring morphology growth contamination differentiation efficiency and other relevant parameters.
-Maintain excellent sterile technique and follow best practices for human cell culture iPSC maintenance and shared tissue culture space use.
-Schedule execute and monitor longitudinal imaging experiments using platforms such as Incucyte and Nikon Biostation microscopy systems.
-Support flow cytometry-based assays including coordination of Attune flow cytometry use maintenance and ordering of related reagents as needed.
-Analyze data from microscopy longitudinal imaging flow cytometry western blotting and other cell-based assays.
-Maintain detailed and accurate digital lab notebooks including documentation in LabArchives or other approved platforms.
-Generate update and organize Standard Operating Procedures for cell culture differentiation workflows imaging assays inventory management and cell request processes.
-Maintain excellent organizational systems for experiment labeling sample tracking file management reagent tracking and cell line documentation.
-Communicate regularly with Khurana Lab scientists regarding project needs timelines cell availability differentiation schedules and experimental readiness.
-Report routinely to the immediate co-supervisors (Dr. Muratore and senior Khurana lab scientist) and provide regular updates to Dr. Khurana senior Khurana Lab scientists and NeuroHub leadership as appropriate.
-Participate in troubleshooting discussions with junior and senior members of the Khurana Lab and NeuroHub staff.
-Share general lab duties with other technicians and research staff including maintenance of common spaces ordering reagent preparation and equipment upkeep.
-Contribute to a collaborative collegial research environment that supports both Khurana Lab scientific goals and the broader mission of the BWH iPSC NeuroHub.
-Perform other duties and special assignments as needed based on project priorities lab needs and NeuroHub-related workflows.
-Responsible for data collection management manipulation analysis and reporting.
-Study cohort management.
-Outreach communication with subjects conducting mailings follow-up on mailings and obtaining necessary documents
-Provides assistance on work related to epidemiological studies and other population-based research.
Qualifications
Education
Bachelors Degree Science required
Experience
New grad with some relevant coursework 0-1 year preferred
Qualifications
-Bachelor of Science degree in biology neuroscience cell biology molecular biology biomedical engineering or a related field.
-Prior experience with mammalian cell culture required; experience with human cells HEK293 cells immortalized cell lines or primary cells preferred.
-Experience with iPSC culture stem cell maintenance neural differentiation or organoid/neural cell model systems is strongly preferred but not required.
-Excellent sterile technique and understanding of tissue culture best practices are essential.
-Basic understanding of molecular and cellular biology concepts required.
-Familiarity with microscopy longitudinal imaging platforms flow cytometry or plate-based cell assays preferred.
-Medium to high level of computer literacy required including comfort with spreadsheets shared databases digital notebooks and file organization.
-Prior experience with inventory management sample tracking cell banking or biorepository-style organization is a plus.
-Interest in neurodegenerative disease research patient-derived models stem cell biology and translational neuroscience strongly preferred.
Knowledge Skills and Abilities
-Excellent oral and written communication skills.
-Strong interpersonal skills and ability to work effectively in a highly collaborative diverse research environment.
-Excellent organizational skills and ability to prioritize multiple tasks across different projects and stakeholders.
-High attention to detail especially in cell culture sample labeling inventory tracking and data documentation.
-Ability to work independently while maintaining close communication with supervisors lab members and NeuroHub staff.
-Ability to coordinate across teams including scientists in the Khurana Lab NeuroHub personnel and external collaborators when appropriate.
-Strong data management skills including accurate recordkeeping digital documentation file organization and inventory maintenance.
-Ability to follow established protocols and contribute to the development and refinement of new SOPs.
-Ability to troubleshoot technical issues and communicate experimental challenges clearly.
-Ability to maintain professionalism discretion and accountability when handling valuable human cell lines and shared research resources.
- Ability to follow directions and exhibit professionalism.
Additional Job Details (if applicable)
Remote Type
Work Location
Scheduled Weekly Hours
Employee Type
Work Shift
Pay Range
$21.00 - $29.01/HourlyGrade
5EEO Statement:
At Mass General Brigham our competency framework defines what effective leadership looks like by specifying which behaviors are most critical for successful performance at each job level. The framework is comprised of ten competencies (half People-Focused half Performance-Focused) and are defined by observable and measurable skills and behaviors that contribute to workplace effectiveness and career success. These competencies are used to evaluate performance make hiring decisions identify development needs mobilize employees across our system and establish a strong talent pipeline.
Required Experience:
Junior IC
About Company
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