Research Assistant III

Job Summary:

This Research Assistant works within the Ramanathan lab, alongside graduate students and postdoctoral researchers, and performs scientific experiments under minimal direction in the area of Stem Cell biology and human development. The majority of their time is spent coordinating multiple aspects of the labs research projects and carrying out laboratory experiments utilizing specific laboratory techniques and equipment while under minimal direction. There may be some coordination with labs external to Harvard to arrange transfer of lab samples as needed but travel is not required for this position. This employee may conduct some training of new lab members in scientific techniques standardized in the lab but does not directly oversee them or approve time.

Job-Specific Responsibilities:

• Coordinates multiple aspects of research project and carries out laboratory experiments utilizing specific laboratory techniques and equipment

• Manufactures cortical tissue from multiple cell lines, specifically IPS line, embryonic stem cell line, and a GMP line
• Makes genetic modifications, passaging and maintaining each of the lines (both the parental and the modified fluorescent reporter lines in each of the background)
• Cell printing, optimizing differentiation protocols optimized for each line, performing and generating tissue in each case, preparing for shipment to team members working on monkeys
• Prepares samples for single cell transcriptomics, validating using antibody staining
• Sets up shakers in incubators, monitor differentiation, and set up a pipeline 
• Collaborates with other lab members on experimental design, setting up protocols and developing new laboratory techniques 
• Processes, organizes, summarizes, and analyzes data, reporting experiment results using a variety of scientific, word processing, spreadsheet or statistical software applications or program platforms 
• May train and oversee the work of others in laboratory techniques and procedures 
• Assists with laboratory maintenance such as maintaining and/or purchasing equipment and supplies, working with vendors and undertaking special projects as required  

Working Conditions:

• Work is typically performed in a laboratory setting on campus in Cambridge, MA.
• May be required to work with a variety of hazardous materials, human cell culture work. 

Physical Requirements:

• May be required to lift, move and transport related research equipment.