Research Laboratory Technician, Cancer Center

GENERAL SUMMARY/ OVERVIEW STATEMENT:

The Hata Lab in the Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center is seeking a highly motivated individual with a strong scientific background for a full-time laboratory research technician position. Research within the Hata Lab focuses on discovering mechanisms of drug resistance in lung cancer patients treated with targeted therapies and developing new therapies to overcome them. We seek to answer pressing clinical questions through patient-centered biological exploration. Our approach prioritizes the use of novel tumor models generated directly from patient tumor specimens for deep mechanistic investigation, with the goal of rapidly translating our laboratory findings into clinical trials. More information about the Hata Lab can be found at: https://hatalab.mgh.harvard.edu.

The candidate will assist with basic and translational research projects under the supervision of a post-doctoral research fellow, as well as Dr. Hata (PI). Specifically, these efforts are focused on studying how tumor cells within EGFR and ALK-driven lung cancers initially evade targeted therapy, adapt, and then evolve to be fully drug resistant. These insights will then be used to design new therapeutic strategies for testing on cancer cell lines and in mouse tumor models. This role includes preparing and performing laboratory experiments, potentially assisting with in vivo animal experiments, collection and documentation of procedures and results, analyzing data, and assisting with manuscript preparation.

This position is ideal for a recent college graduate looking to expand their laboratory research skills in a translational research setting and while making contributions to the rapidly-evolving field of cancer therapeutics. This opportunity is designed to provide an enhanced experience for prospective graduate (PhD) and medical (MD, MD/PhD) students and provides excellent opportunities for leadership and career development, as well as co-authorship on manuscripts. Previous experience in a cancer research lab, working with mammalian cell culture, or working with mice is not required, however undergraduate research experience in a biologically relevant field is strongly preferred. We are looking for an enthusiastic candidate who is highly motivated, detail-oriented, and works well both independently and on a team.

PRINCIPAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Mammalian tissue culture techniques including cell line maintenance, drug-treatment, cryopreservation, etc.

• Genetic engineering techniques such as CRISPR gene deletion, RNAi-gene knockdown, gene overexpression.

• Basic molecular biology including plasmid construction, nucleic acid purification, DNA sequencing, and PCR

• Basic biochemistry assays such as western blotting.

• Potentially in vivo evaluation of the sensitivity of different lung cancer models to targeted therapies, including establishment of tumor xenografts, drug treatment, assessment of tumor response and harvesting of tumor tissue.

• Organization and maintenance of written and electronic records of samples, experimental procedures and data generated

• Generation and interpretation of experimental results; assisting in the preparation and editing of manuscripts resulting from data generated in research projects

• Participation in weekly lab meetings and joint translation project meetings with laboratory and clinical project teams

• Responsibility for ordering common laboratory reagents and general lab maintenance

SKILLS/ABILITIES/COMPETENCIES REQUIRED:

The Research Technician should also possess:

• Analytical skills and the ability to resolve problems

• Ability to interpret acceptability of data results

• Attention to detail in experimental techniques and record-keeping

• Working knowledge of data management programs

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills

• Capable of working independently and as part of a team

PREFERRED EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

• Bachelors of Science or similar degree in biological sciences

GENERAL SUMMARY/ OVERVIEW STATEMENT:

The Hata Lab in the Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center is seeking a highly motivated individual with a strong scientific background for a full-time laboratory research technician position. Research within the Hata Lab focuses on discovering mechanisms of drug resistance in lung cancer patients treated with targeted therapies and developing new therapies to overcome them. We seek to answer pressing clinical questions through patient-centered biological exploration. Our approach prioritizes the use of novel tumor models generated directly from patient tumor specimens for deep mechanistic investigation, with the goal of rapidly translating our laboratory findings into clinical trials. More information about the Hata Lab can be found at: https://hatalab.mgh.harvard.edu.

The candidate will assist with basic and translational research projects under the supervision of a post-doctoral research fellow, as well as Dr. Hata (PI). Specifically, these efforts are focused on studying how tumor cells within EGFR and ALK-driven lung cancers initially evade targeted therapy, adapt, and then evolve to be fully drug resistant. These insights will then be used to design new therapeutic strategies for testing on cancer cell lines and in mouse tumor models. This role includes preparing and performing laboratory experiments, potentially assisting with in vivo animal experiments, collection and documentation of procedures and results, analyzing data, and assisting with manuscript preparation.

This position is ideal for a recent college graduate looking to expand their laboratory research skills in a translational research setting and while making contributions to the rapidly-evolving field of cancer therapeutics. This opportunity is designed to provide an enhanced experience for prospective graduate (PhD) and medical (MD, MD/PhD) students and provides excellent opportunities for leadership and career development, as well as co-authorship on manuscripts. Previous experience in a cancer research lab, working with mammalian cell culture, or working with mice is not required, however undergraduate research experience in a biologically relevant field is strongly preferred. We are looking for an enthusiastic candidate who is highly motivated, detail-oriented, and works well both independently and on a team.

PRINCIPAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Mammalian tissue culture techniques including cell line maintenance, drug-treatment, cryopreservation, etc.

• Genetic engineering techniques such as CRISPR gene deletion, RNAi-gene knockdown, gene overexpression.

• Basic molecular biology including plasmid construction, nucleic acid purification, DNA sequencing, and PCR

• Basic biochemistry assays such as western blotting.

• Potentially in vivo evaluation of the sensitivity of different lung cancer models to targeted therapies, including establishment of tumor xenografts, drug treatment, assessment of tumor response and harvesting of tumor tissue.

• Organization and maintenance of written and electronic records of samples, experimental procedures and data generated

• Generation and interpretation of experimental results; assisting in the preparation and editing of manuscripts resulting from data generated in research projects

• Participation in weekly lab meetings and joint translation project meetings with laboratory and clinical project teams

• Responsibility for ordering common laboratory reagents and general lab maintenance

SKILLS/ABILITIES/COMPETENCIES REQUIRED:

The Research Technician should also possess:

• Analytical skills and the ability to resolve problems

• Ability to interpret acceptability of data results

• Attention to detail in experimental techniques and record-keeping

• Working knowledge of data management programs

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills

• Capable of working independently and as part of a team

PREFERRED EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

• Bachelors of Science or similar degree in biological sciences