Research Lab Tech I DOM Channing

GENERAL SUMMARY:
We are currently recruiting for: one - full time, Technical Research Assistant - Level I (entry level) candidate to join our team! Will Train.
Perform laboratory work and office duties associated with the Channing/Harvard Cohorts Biorepository (CHCB).
Mass General Brigham's CHCB houses some 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.

Principle 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 eachproject.

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 LN2freezers. 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 LN2freezers, housed in strictly monitored air ventilation rooms.Walking between the three sites is required throughout the year. Exposure to human biological specimen and LN2occurs 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

Activity

Outdoor weather conditions: 5 % of the time per month, to deliver projects to labs

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

Additional_Job_Description

The Brigham and Women's Hospital, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer. By embracing diverse skills, perspectives and ideas, we choose to lead. 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.