Job Description:

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

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


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


Other LN2: LIQUID NITROGEN: 25-50% of the time



Lifting/Carry Requirements of this job




Number of pounds



Up to 10 pounds: Lift 25-50% of the time/Carry 25-50% of the time


Up to 25 pounds: Lift 25-50% of the time/Carry 25-50% of the time



Push/Pull Requirements of this job:




Number of pounds



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 requirements of this job:


Stand: 1-25% of the time


Walk: 1-25% of the time


Sit: 25-50% of the time


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


Climb stairs: 1-25% of the time


Climb ladder or other equipment: 1-25% of the time


Balance: over 75% of the time


Stoop, kneel, crouch, bend, crawl: 1-25% of the time


Speak: 50-75% of the time


Hear: over 75% of the time



Vision Requirements of this job:



Close vision: Required


Distance vision: Required


Color vision: Required


Peripheral vision: Required


Depth perception: Required


Ability to adjust focus: Required



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



EEO Statement

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. Apply Now