GENERAL SUMMARY: We are currently recruiting for: one - full time, Technical Research Assistant - Level I (entry level) candidate to join our team! Will Train.

Short Job description: Perform laboratory work and office duties associated with the Channing/Harvard Cohorts Biorepository (CHCB).

CHCB is one of the largest, most intensively studied, longitudinal cohorts in the World and houses the Nurses' Health Study (I and II), the Health Professionals Follow-up Study, Growing Up Today Study, and the Physician's Health Study I - over 3 million research biospecimens - that distributes thousands of biospecimens for research annually.

DUTIES:

No Direct Patient Care

Distribution: As part of a team, execute the production and distribution of projects by preparing the necessary computer files; retrieving biospecimens from Liquid Nitrogen (LN₂₎ freezers; printing labels; aliquoting; adding quality control samples (QCs); double checking the project; creating of ship lists; arranging for local deliveries or shipments via courier; placing the remaining samples in permanent storage and updating the electronic records; and record all the details of each project.

Collections: Responsible on a day-to-day basis, under the Collection Laboratory Manager, for assisting when needed with incoming biospecimen collections: receiving, opening, and checking incoming collection kits for completeness; logging received kits and specimens into a Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS); processing biospecimens according to standard operating protocols (SOPs); and storing these samples the LN₂ freezers. Will perform testing for random quality control (QCT) tests to confirm original storage. Conduct data entry either manually or via Scantron for questionnaires and QCT data entry.

Data Recordation: Incumbent will be trained on how to use the LIMS and UNIX System and assist upper management, regularly, by discussing the process, improvement needs, and workflow.

Infrastructure: As part of a team, incumbent will be involved in semi-weekly monitoring: freezer health of 130 liquid nitrogen and 6 mechanical -80C freezers; the LN2 delivery system level and pressure; external bulk tank; and Dewar deliveries. Consolidate and update samples in the freezers. Assist in organization of temporary storage, quality controls, and drift pools.

Emergency Responder: In very rare cases, incumbent is expected to assist the team when a freezer emergency occurs. May be asked to come in during the evening or on a weekend for a few hours to assist for the urgent transfer of biospecimens, which will be generously compensated.

General: As needed, incumbent will be required to contribute to other general activities such as proofreading, contributing, and/or writing SOPs; organization and inventory of supplies; and presenting items to be ordered.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY:

Not Applicable.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

The work takes place in both an office, laboratory, and freezer farm settings. Frequent exposure to LN₂ freezers, housed in strictly monitored air ventilation rooms. Walking between the three sites is required throughout the year. Exposure to human biological specimen and LN₂ occurs daily.

Occasional trips to area hospitals, universities, and companies are required to meet with collaborating investigators and/or to deliver samples. Very infrequently, candidate may be asked to respond to assist the staff with freezer emergency (done as a group), if a freezer is in failure.

FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY:

Not Applicable

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor's degree in life sciences, required.
• Excellent organizational, interpersonal, and communication skills are essential.
• Comfort handling human biological and frozen specimens, strongly preferred.
• Experience with Robotics, a plus;
• Ability to lift 26-pound freezer racks is required- Please see "PHYSICAL/ENVIRONMENTAL REQUIREMENTS OF THE JOB" (Below).

SKILLS/ ABILITIES/ COMPETENCIES REQUIRED:

• Ability to understand scientific terminology.
• Strict attention to detail.
• Has a comfort level with computers and databases.
• Possesses a friendly, professional personality and is a thoughtful listener.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality.
• Excellent communication and organization skills
• Ability to carry out careful laboratory technique.
• Must be able to lift heavy racks and push heavy equipment.

PHYSICAL/ENVIRONMENTAL REQUIREMENTS OF JOB

Lifting/Carry Requirements of this job

Push/Pull Requirements of this job:

Physical Activity requirements of this job:

Safety equipment used while performing this job: Safety glasses, Lab Coat, Face Shield, Ear Plugs (during sonication), surgical mask (during COVID-19), latex or nitrile gloves, and Cryo-gloves when needed.

Level of noise typical in this work environment: Moderate

As a not-for-profit organization, Mass General Brigham is committed to supporting patient care, research, teaching, and service to the community. We place great value on being a diverse, equitable and inclusive organization as we aim to reflect the diversity of the patients we serve. At Mass General Brigham, we believe in equal access to quality care, employment and advancement opportunities encompassing the full spectrum of human diversity: race, gender, sexual orientation, ability, religion, ethnicity, national origin and all the other forms of human presence and expression that make us better able to provide innovative and cutting-edge healthcare and research.