Job Description:

GENERAL SUMMARY/ OVERVIEW STATEMENT:


The mission of Mass General Brigham Personalized Medicine (MGBPM) is to utilize genetics and genomics to improve the care of patients through the promotion and implementation of personalized medicine in caring for patients throughout Mass General Brigham and in healthcare nationally and globally. Within the laboratory there are 3 functioning groups, the Biobank Genomics Core (BGC), the Laboratory for Molecular Medicine (LMM), and the Central Biobank. The BGC serves as the laboratory backbone, providing operational support for multiple components of MGBPM, and provides technical support for MGB investigators to advance their genomic research programs by blending leading genomics technologies with comprehensive technical expertise. The Laboratory for Molecular Medicine (LMM), is a CLIA-certified clinical diagnostic laboratory whose mission is to bridge the gap between research and clinical medicine, translating novel discoveries into cutting-edge tests and accelerating the adoption of new molecular tests into clinical care. The MGB Biobank, is an enterprise wide, large-scale research program designed to help researchers understand how people's health is affected by their genes, lifestyle and environment. The MGB Biobank serves many investigators, who work at MGB hospitals, including the academic medical centers Brigham and Women's Hospital (BWH) and Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH). Investigators with approval from the MGB Internal Review Board (IRB) may request DNA, plasma, and serum samples as well as genomic, clinical, and survey data. Samples are collected at various network hospitals and transported to MGBPM for processing, storage, and distribution.


The successful candidate will work as part of an integrated laboratory team supporting the laboratory needs of the center, including but not limited to human subject studies within the Biobank, clinical testing within the LMM, and assays within the BGC. The candidate should be comfortable handling samples of human origin in a laboratory setting, demonstrate a high attention to detail, and an ability to learn in a fast past setting. The laboratory is responsible for receipt, processing, storage and shipping of all specimens of the MGB Biobank as well as specimen handling for the LMM. In addition, the laboratory is responsible for supporting research services such as Next Generation Sequencing and high throughput genotyping applications for MGB investigators. The technician will be expected to be knowledgeable and comply with all MGB patient privacy guidelines, and clinical laboratory standards.


PRINCIPAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:


Working independently, the Laboratory Assistant will perform a variety of routine procedures following established methodologies, as well as non-routine procedures with the development of new methodologies for ultimate incorporation into the lab. Routine procedures and duties will include but are not limited to:


1.) Adhere to all laboratory procedures and policies, including following designated safety procedures appropriate for task being completed


2.) Complete all required training courses in a timely and high quality manner


3.) Identify, document, and alert supervisor of problems with any procedure or test system that may adversely affect test performance


4.) Document all corrective actions taken when test systems deviate from the defined and established performance specifications


5.) Routine completion of accurate and timely documentation of reagents, equipment, and procedures used for testing


6.) Process proficiency samples as close to clinical testing workflows as possible


7.) Receive and accession specimens and samples


a. Nucleic acid extractions (Blood, Saliva, Stool)


b. Plasma isolation


c. Serum isolation


8.) Perform high complexity testing as needed


a. Sanger sequencing


b. NGS library prep


c. Infinium Genotyping


d. ddPCR


9.) Process special requests as needed, including but not limited to:


a. Pulling specimens from storage


b. Repeating QC standards


c. Plating and normalizing specimens


d. Shipping out to customers


10.) Maintain lab supplies and order as necessary on a weekly basis


a. Act as liaison with vendors for pricing on supplies


b. Act as liaison with equipment vendors


11.) Learn and keep up to date with software and automation equipment


a. Act as liaison with IT developers to provide requirements and enhancements for systems


b. Introduce new programs and ideas for liquid handling robots


c. Generate SOPs on new processes and software updates


12.) Maintain customer relations


a. Update customers on progress on projects


b. Inform customers of delays or any other problems with current project


c. Update and edit if required charges in GIGPAD for each batch


13.) Develop and implement new processes and improve existing processes in the lab


a. Research and test new protocols, such as nucleic acid extraction from novel sample types, such as plasma and serum, or testing and optimizing new instrumentation in existing workflows such as a Sanger sequencing


b. Validate newly tested protocols to show inter- and intra- batch variability on control samples


c. Implement newly tested protocols into standard laboratory operations by training staff in new process and/or new equipment, writing of SOPs and designing and testing laboratory worksheets


d. Quality control monitoring of processes over time to show consistency over time and people, quality control of instrument and equipment verifications


e. Integration of those processes with existing IT infrastructure


f. Testing and verification of IT workflows in demo environment


14.) Train and continue oversight of incoming staff


a. Be the lead mentor to new staff to onboard and oversee their training in standard workflows


b. Identify and resolve staffing issues in partnership with Lab Director


c. Assist in spreading workload of incoming projects over available technicians


d. Monitoring progress and report findings to Lab Director


15.) Continuing education, that can include but is not limited to:


a. Keep up to date with new techniques and kits relevant to processes in the lab


b. Fellows Lectures


c. Conference attendance


d. Genetics or molecular biology related classes


e. Journal Articles with written summary



Qualifications

SKILLS/ABILITIES/COMPETENCIES REQUIRED:

• Ability to work independently and as a team member.


• Analytical skills and ability to resolve technical problems.


• Ability to interpret acceptability of data results.


• Working knowledge of data management programs.


• High degree of computer literacy


• Demonstrated competence in research techniques and methodologies.

EDUCATION:

• High School Diploma with at least 6 years directly related laboratory experience required or Bachelor's degree in life sciences, biochemistry, or chemistry.

EXPERIENCE:

• Minimum of 6 years of directly related experience required in high complexity molecular testing laboratory as testing personnel

WORKING CONDITIONS:


• Duties will be performed in a clinical and research laboratory.


SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY:


• May serve as Team Leader to lab assistants and Research Tech I


FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY:


• None.



EEO Statement

BWH is an Affirmative Action 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. Apply Now