Animal Research Technician - Walsh Lab
- Boston, MA
Primary Work Address: 300 Longwood Avenue, Boston, MA, 02115
Current HHMI Employees, click here to apply via your Workday account.
We are currently seeking a dynamic, interested, and curious animal-focused Research Technician within the lab of Dr. Christopher Walsh at Boston Children's Hospital. The Walsh lab's research is focused on the elucidation of fundamental mechanisms governing development of the human cerebral cortex. They use human genetics and animal and cellular models in conjunction with molecular tools in their investigation of neuronal development. More information on the lab can be found on their website.
As a member of the research staff, you will be responsible for overseeing the lab's animal colonies and assisting postdoctoral fellows and graduate students with animal surgeries, dissections, tissue sectioning, and immunohistochemistry. We are ideally looking for candidates that are energetic and highly organized - and have an interest in cortical development.
Principal Responsibilities:
- Oversee animal colonies in the lab, including mice, ferrets, and zebrafish
- Assist lab staff with animal surgeries, dissections, tissues sectioning, immunohistochemistry, and related work
- Using and understanding a wide variety of molecular biology protocols - such as extracting DNA, RNA, and proteins from blood and tissue samples
- Assist with maintenance of all appropriate animal care policies (e.g. IACUC, etc).
- Support monitoring expenses related to animal colonies for various research projects and work with researchers to maintain costs
- Quantifying and distributing DNA samples
- Assist with introduction of new database to help track animal genotyping
- Maintain required equipment
- Participate in laboratory meetings and read literature applicable to the research area
- Help with lab organization and other support duties relating to lab operations, as required
Preferred Qualifications:
- Bachelor's degree in Biology or a related field
- Prior experience working with mice in a research setting
- Specific experience with genotyping, breeding, and tagging required
- Excellent analytical, communication, problem solving, and organizational skills
- Ability to work both independently and as a team member
- Able to learn complex tasks with general instruction, and to use experience to perform a variety of new techniques
- Actively seeks opportunities to increase skills and expertise
Physical Requirements
Remaining in a normal seated or standing position for extended periods of time; reaching and grasping by extending hand(s) or arm(s); dexterity to manipulate objects with fingers, for example using a keyboard; communication skills using the spoken word; ability to see and hear within normal parameters; ability to move about workspace. The position requires mobility, including the ability to move materials weighing up to several pounds (such as a laptop computer or tablet).
Persons with disabilities may be able to perform the essential duties of this position with reasonable accommodation. Requests for reasonable accommodation will be evaluated on an individual basis.
Please Note:
This job description sets forth the job's principal duties, responsibilities, and requirements; it should not be construed as an exhaustive statement, however. Unless they begin with the word "may," the Essential Duties and Responsibilities described above are "essential functions" of the job, as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act.
HHMI is an Equal Opportunity Employer
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