Position Description

A laboratory at Harvard Medical School/HHMI studying the development and degeneration of the central nervous system, with an emphasis on the eye, seeks a research technician for studies aimed towards ocular gene therapy.
Duties will include the breeding and maintenance of a mouse colony and injection of viruses into mice, as well as injections and dissections of chick embryos. The ability to perform small animal surgery, behavioral tests, immunohistochemistry, and microscopy are preferred, but not essential.

The individual will be responsible for the animal husbandry for a gene therapy project. Breeding and genotyping mice and rats, and keeping the breeding colony well managed, will be one role. Assays of vision following gene therapy for blindness will be an additional duty, using an electroretinogram and OCT imaging of the eyes. Duties will include dissections of eye tissue, followed by processing for gene expression and high-content imaging and quantification of photoreceptors.

The candidate will be required to collect, process, organize and summarize project data. Assist in other experiments as needed.

This is an entry level, research assistant position that will require oversight from lab members or direct supervision from the PI.
 

Basic Qualifications

• College background or equivalent work experience, preferably in a related discipline.
• At least one-year related work experience (relevant course work may count towards experience).

Additional Qualifications and Skills

• College degree, with some experience in basic molecular biology, tissue culture, animal handling, and microscopy preferred.
• Good communication skills and ability to take direction as necessary are essential.
• Small animal surgery, behavioral tests, immunohistochemistry, and microscopy will also be required.
• Self-motivated, reliability, organized, detailed-oriented and good communication skills are required.
• Experience in basic molecular biology, tissue culture, and microscopy are preferred, but not required.

Additional Information

This is a one-year term position from the date of hire, with the possibility of extension, contingent upon work performance and continued funding to support the position. 

Offer contingent upon successful completion of a pre-placement medical evaluation.

The health of our workforce is a priority for Harvard University. With that in mind, we strongly encourage all employees to be up-to-date on CDC-recommended vaccines.

Please note that we are currently conducting a majority of interviews and onboarding remotely and virtually. We appreciate your understanding.

The Harvard Medical School is not able to provide visa sponsorship for this position.

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Commitment to Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging

We are committed to cultivating an inclusive workplace culture of faculty, staff, and students with diverse backgrounds, styles, abilities, and motivations. We appreciate and leverage the capabilities, insights, and ideas of all individuals. Harvard Medical School Mission and Community Values

https://hms.harvard.edu/about-hms/campus-culture/mission-community-values-diversity-statement

EEO Statement

We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, gender identity, sexual orientation, pregnancy and pregnancy-related conditions, or any other characteristic protected by law.