Research Assistant I Lab For Translational Research On Neurodegeneration

McLean Hospital is a comprehensive psychiatric hospital committed to providing easy access to superior quality, cost-effective mental health services in the Boston area, Massachusetts and beyond. Since 1811, McLean Hospital has been a world leader in the treatment of mental illness and chemical dependency, research into the cause of mental illness and the training of generations of mental health care providers. McLean's multidisciplinary programs treat a broad range of psychiatric illnesses across the full continuum of care.

This is a position in the Laboratory for Translational Research on Neurodegeneration in the Program for Neuropsychiatric Research at McLean Hospital.

General Summary:

We are looking for an RA to help us in our studies of the role of bioenergetics in Alzheimer's disease (AD). Our work is focused on understanding the molecular and cellular mechanisms in AD and particularly how changes in metabolic and bioenergetic cell functions during the aging process contribute to the pathogenesis of AD. We work with fibroblast cell lines and induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSC) that are derived from AD patients and healthy control individuals. The fibroblasts and neural cell populations differentiated from the iPSC lines are analyzed for their molecular and cellular phenotypes and functions with an emphasis on metabolism and bioenergetics.

Working under the general supervision of a Senior Technical Research Assistant, Manager, or Principal Investigator, with assistance of summer interns and junior staff, and following established policies and procedures, the RA will conduct a variety of routine experiments where methodologies are clearly established. They may also calculate, transcribe, and analyze data using basic statistics and may perform literature searches under direction.

PRINCIPAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Under general supervision, performs routine experiments, which can be moderate to complex. Experiments may include tissue culture, preparing special materials, performing molecular biology and biochemical assays, immunocytochemistry and fluorescent microscopy, imaging, and computational data analysis.

• Maintains long-term tissue cultures of human cell lines and monitors cells for viability and contamination, differentiation of stem cells and gene-engineering using lentivirus vector technologies.

• Record data, summarizes, and analyzes results using basic statistics.

• Prepares laboratory reagents and chemicals. Maintains instruments and equipment.

• Maintains supplies inventory in accordance with departmental procedures.

• Discusses progress of work regularly with supervisor.

• Performs all other duties as assigned.

All McLean team members are expected to consistently demonstrate our values of integrity, compassion, respect, diversity, teamwork, excellence and innovation in their work activities and interactions.

Qualifications - External

1.BS or BA in a biological/physical science required.

2.Some relevant work experience

3.Sound independent judgment and competence in research methodologies.

SKILLS/ABILITIES/COMPETENCIES REQUIRED:

• Basic techniques in cell culture, molecular and cellular biology, and biochemistry, general lab work, and the execution of complex experimental designs.

• High degree of computer literacy.

• Good interpersonal and communication skills.

• Good organizational skills, detail oriented.

• Ability to methodically record data and to analyze data using basic statistics.

• Ability to perform a variety of routine tests and prioritize work.

• Ability to demonstrate professionalism.

Successful candidate must possess basic computer skills in order to use a variety of electronic systems to access and/or maintain personal employment-related data, satisfy required annual trainings, and use job-specific applications. All employees of McLean Hospital are assigned an email account for business communication purposes. Candidate must also be able to consistently demonstrate McLean Values of integrity, compassion and respect, diversity and teamwork, excellence and innovation in their work activities and interactions.

QUALIFICATIONS: BS or BA in a biological/physical science with relevant course or project work required

All employees must possess basic computer skills to use a variety of electronic or online systems for communication, clinical and administrative purposes.