Research Technician - Center for Early Detection and Interception

Dana-Farber Cancer Institute; Greater London; On-site; GBP 25,000 - 45,000

Job description

The Center for Early Detection and Interception (CEDI) is the first-of-its-kind clinic for patients with precursor conditions of hematologic malignancies. As part of the Hematologic Oncology Treatment Center, CEDI builds on Dana-Farber's past and ongoing research efforts for precursor conditions. The clinic evaluates individuals diagnosed with these conditions or at high risk for disease development and works with patients to manage their risk of disease progression.

Our research team is committed to early detection and intervention to prevent precursor conditions from progressing to incurable blood cancers. Our center offers patients a range of clinical trials, including screening, treatment, and non-therapeutic trials that will help us to better understand and care for patients with precursor hematologic conditions.

Within this context, our scientific teams play an important role in driving discovery, innovation, and translation. Our research technicians support this research in everything from the selection and processing of our patient samples to the most advanced laboratory assays.

Job Responsibilities

• Set up, adjust, calibrate, clean, maintain and troubleshoot equipment.
• Clean, maintain and prepare supplies and work areas and responsible for ordering of supplies. Collaborates with Purchasing and responsible for negotiating with vendors.
• Conduct standardized biological, microbiological or biochemical tests and laboratory analyses, including the collection of information and samples from organic substances, such as blood, drugs, and animals.
• Isolate, identify and prepare specimens for examination.
• Analyze experimental data and interpret results to write reports and summaries of findings, including grant preparation and presentations, and look for opportunities to co-author publications. Will be expected to participate in formal and informal presentations of results to staff and collaboration partners.
• Participate in grant application process and manuscript preparation. Further will be responsible for preparing reports for collaborators.
• Maintains detailed notebook of all work-related activities and support patent invention disclosures and IND enabling filing.
• Monitors laboratory work to ensure compliance with Environmental Health and Safety information as well as the standard operation procedures specific to each laboratory.
• Expected to provide intellectual and interactive commitment to position by keeping up with appropriate literature and research publications.
• Responsible for the development, modification and improvement of standard operating procedures and provide detailed protocols as specified by sponsored research agreements.
• Uses computers, computer-interfaced equipment, robotics or high-technology applications to perform work duties.
• Responsible for designing and executing advanced experiments and setting strategy.
• Responsible for troubleshooting and Quality Control of experiments.
• Responsible for communications and managing interactions with collaborators.
• Responsible for meeting project deliverables and timelines.
• May be responsible for the examination of animals and specimens to detect the presence of disease or other problems.
• May be responsible for monitoring laboratory budgets.
• Performs other responsibilities as required.

Typical Research Work

Typical research work will vary by project, but may include, among others: In vivo and in vitro work, Tissue Culture, Lentiviral work, Cell sorting and staining, Western blots, PCR and Gel Electrophoresis, qPCR/RT-qPCR assays, cell enumeration imaging & analysis, Bradford/Pierce BCA protein assays, Cloning and Plasmid preparation, DNA and RNA sequencing library preparation, Lineage tracing, Flow cytometry, AUTOMacs selection, MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry, imaging mass spectrometry, maintain laboratory inventory databases, operate liquid handler.

Supervisory Responsibilities

No supervisory responsibilities. Normally receives detailed instructions on all work. Works within a highly collaborative matrixed team environment while maintaining independent responsibilities. Contributes to the planning and coordination of group efforts.

Minimum Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree required with a major in biology or chemistry preferred.
• Requires no previous professional experience.
• Learns and uses technical principles, processes, and concepts.
• Applies Institute policies and procedures to resolve a variety of issues.
• Works autonomously on problems of limited scope and exercises independent judgment within defined procedures and practices to determine appropriate action.
• Works under supervision on problems of moderate scope where analysis of situations or data requires a review of a variety of factors.
• Follows standard practices and procedures in analyzing situations or data from which answers can be readily obtained.
• Builds productive working relationships internally and externally.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Required

• Knowledge of information and techniques related to either biology, chemistry, or medicine is preferred required.
• In depth understanding of study design and meticulous record keeping is essential.
• Must have excellent communication skills (written and verbal) and be able to work with a wide variety of faculty, staff, and industry collaborators.
• Ability to analyze data, information and use logic to address work-related issues and problems.
• Must have attention to detail and be thorough in completing work tasks.
• Ability to work within a matrixed team environment.

At Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, we work every day to create an innovative, caring, and inclusive environment where every patient, family, and staff member feels they belong. As relentless as we are in our mission to reduce the burden of cancer for all, we are equally committed to diversifying our faculty and staff. Cancer knows no boundaries and when it comes to hiring the most dedicated and diverse professionals, neither do we. If working in this kind of organization inspires you, we encourage you to apply.

Dana-Farber Cancer Institute is an equal opportunity employer and affirms the right of every qualified applicant to receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender identity or expression, national origin, sexual orientation, genetic information, disability, age, ancestry, military service, protected veteran status, or other characteristics protected by law.