Research Lab Tech I DOM Channing

About the Role

We are recruiting for a full-time, Technical Research Assistant - Level I (entry-level) candidate to join our team. This role involves performing laboratory work and office duties associated with the Channing/Harvard Cohorts Biorepository (CHCB). The CHCB houses one of the world's largest collections of longitudinal cohorts, including over 3 million research biospecimens.

Key Responsibilities

• Distribution:
• Prepare computer files for project production and distribution.
• Retrieve biospecimens from Liquid Nitrogen (LN2) freezers.
• Print labels, aliquot samples, and add quality control samples (QCs).
• Double-check projects and create ship lists.
• Arrange for local deliveries or shipments via courier.
• Place remaining samples in permanent storage and update electronic records.
• Record all project details.
• Collections:
• Assist in the creation of kits.
• Process incoming biospecimen collections via standard operating protocols (SOPs).
• Enter specimens and questionnaire data into a Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS).
• Perform quality control testing (QCT) to confirm storage locations.
• Data Recordation:
• Assist with the use of LIMS and the UNIX System.
• Discuss processes, improvement needs, and workflow with upper management.
• Infrastructure:
• Monitor and maintain the health of liquid nitrogen and -80°C freezers.
• Monitor external bulk tanks and Dewar replacements.
• Consolidate and update samples in freezers.
• Organize temporary storage: quality controls, and drift pools.
• Emergency Responder:
• Assist the team during freezer emergencies, which may include evening or weekend work, with additional compensation.
• General:
• Contribute to proofreading, contributing, and/or writing SOPs.
• Organize and inventory supplies.
• Present items for ordering.

Requirements & Tech Stack

• LIMS
• UNIX System
• Liquid Nitrogen (LN2) freezers
• -80°C freezers

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 understand scientific terminology.
• Strict attention to detail and ability to carry out careful laboratory techniques.
• Comfort level with computers and databases.
• Possesses a friendly, professional personality and is a thoughtful listener.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality.
• Must be able to lift 19 to 25-pound freezer racks repeatedly.
• Able to push heavy equipment.
• Excellent communication and organization skills.

Physical/Environmental Requirements

• Exposure:
• Extreme cold (non-weather): 25% of the time
• Exposure to blood borne pathogens: 50% of the time
• Dust or other irritants: 50% of the time
• Infectious / contagious disease: 50% of the time
• Cleaning agents/chemicals: 10% of the time
• Hot equipment: 1% of the time
• Noisy equipment: 10% of the time
• Humid or wet conditions (non-weather): 10% of the time
• LN2 (Liquid Nitrogen): 25-50% of the time
• Lifting/Carry Requirements:
• Up to 10 pounds: 25-50% of the time
• Up to 25 pounds: 25-50% of the time
• Push/Pull Requirements:
• Up to 10 pounds: 25-50% of the time
• Up to 25 pounds: 25-50% of the time
• Up to 50 pounds: 1-25% of the time
• Up to 100 pounds: 1-25% of the time
• Over 100 pounds: 1-25% of the time
• Physical Activity:
• Use of hands requiring fine motor skills and sense of touch: Over 75% of the time
• Move / rotate / bend wrist(s): 50-75% of the time
• Type / use keyboard or other data entry device: 50-75% of the time
• Reach with hands & arms: 50-75% of the time
• Speak: 50-75% of the time
• Hear: Over 75% of the time
• Balance: Over 75% of the time
• Vision Requirements: Close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus are required.
• Safety Equipment Used: Safety glasses, Lab Coat, Face Shield, Ear Plugs, surgical mask, latex or nitrile gloves, and Cryo-gloves.
• Work Environment: Office, laboratory, and freezer farm settings. Frequent exposure to LN2 freezers in monitored air ventilation rooms. Walking between sites is required. Exposure to human biological specimens and LN2 occurs daily. Occasional trips to area hospitals, universities, and companies.

Work Location

221 Longwood Avenue