Technical Assistant I - FACS Core
9 days ago
Cambridge
Job Description OVERALL RESPONSIBILITIES The primary duty of the Technical Assistant I, Core of the FACS BSL2 core cytometry facility is to assist with oversight of daily operations of the flow cytometry core lab including operation, maintenance and troubleshooting of all instruments, as well as provide high quality flow cytometry service, user training and support to the Whitehead Institute investigators and Boston research community. The FACS Technical Assistant I will possess high level of proficiency on the BD FACSAria SORP in order to perform quality high-speed cell sorting. Additional duties include but are not limited to development of proficiency on core facility benchtop analyzers: the BD Symphony A1 with HTS, BD LSRFortessa with HTS, and BD FACSCanto with HTS and the SONY cell sorter. Other duties will be performed as scheduled or needed. All duties will be performed in accordance with the Whitehead Institute’s behavioral standards, safety standards, and mission. CHARACTERISTIC DUTIES Cytometry Instrumentation and associated Software and Peripherals High Speed Cell Sorter- BD FACSAria SORP and SONY cell sorter: • Perform high-quality, High-Speed Cell Sorting for researchers, • Perform scheduled and unscheduled maintenance, including data backup as maintenance, • Perform daily quality control and monitor instrument performance, • Troubleshoot sorter and associated software and peripherals, • Contact and interact with vendor service and FACSAria/ SONY field service engineers as needed, • Log sorter and related software and peripheral problems and report to core staff, • Enter Aria/ SONY usage into database Benchtop Analyzers- BD Symphony A1, BD FACS Fortessa HTS, BD FACS Canto HTS: • Develop and maintain proficiency with all benchtop analyzers and associated software and peripherals, • Perform scheduled and unscheduled maintenance, including data backup, • Perform quality control and monitor instrument performance, • Troubleshoot benchtop analyzers and associated software and peripherals, • Contact and interact with vendor service and FACS benchtop analyzer field service engineers as needed, • Log benchtop analyzer and related software and peripheral problems and report to core staff Service • Provide high quality service to researchers, • Work closely with researchers and Whitehead Institute staff to maintain good relationships, • Orient new users to the lab, • Assist researchers with their scheduling needs, • Advise researchers on basic requirements for high speed cell sorting and benchtop Cytometer usage, • Address problems immediately, if possible, log, and report to manager Other • Maintain sort appointment waiting list and notify researchers if an appointment is available, • Log lateness and failure to cancel appointments, • Approve sort appointments in Calendar system, • Notify researchers of unscheduled instrument downtime, • Assist with writing protocols and other writing as needed, • Assist with ordering of supplies and billing as needed, • Work closely with EH&S to review biosafety considerations for ongoing and new projects, • Attend a minimum of one flow cytometry workshop, seminar, vendor show, or core lab visit per year, • Attend a Whitehead Institute retreat, • Become familiar with flow cytometry journals, associations, and resources, • Assist with demos and tours as needed, • Audit training sessions and provide feedback, • Prepare reagents as needed, • Assist with inventory and stocking of laboratory supplies, • Maintain all work areas, • Other duties, as assigned QUALIFICATIONS • Bachelor’s degree in biology and 2 years of experience in a research laboratory., • Must have 1-2 years of experience in flow cytometry. No cell sorting required but it’s a plus., • Excellent organizational, problem-solving, and communication skills., • Must be available to work flexible work hours as needed., • Must be able to work well independently with minimal supervision., • Pay Range Minimum: $47,000, • Pay Range Maximum: $52,000 Company DescriptionWHITEHEAD INSTITUTE for BIOMEDICAL RESEARCH Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research is a leading, nonprofit research and educational institution that has defined the cutting edge of biomedical science, creating a legacy of research excellence and academic eminence since 1982. Wholly independent in its governance, finances and research programs, Whitehead shares a teaching affiliation with Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), offering the intellectual, collegial and scientific benefits of a leading research university. Whitehead’s Faculty Members and Fellows run pioneering programs in cancer research, immunology, developmental biology, stem cell research, regenerative medicine, genetics and genomics—programs with a record of success. We offer excellent benefits including a choice of health insurance options; a generous retirement plan; comprehensive dental, disability and life insurance coverage; competitive salary, substantial vacation and holiday time; and programs for tuition reimbursement, dependent care assistance, pre-tax spending accounts, and subsidized public transportation or parking. We also offer relocation assistance. The Whitehead Institute believes diversity, equity and inclusion (DE&I) are integral to its values and mission. As a research Institute dedicated to improving human health through biomedical science, we believe that diverse thought invokes creative inquiry, drives innovation, and fuels scientific breakthrough. We welcome all individuals of all backgrounds including race, ethnicity, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, age, veterans status, national origin, disability, marital status, parental status, socioeconomic status and/or origin. Whitehead Institute is an Equal Opportunity Employer.WHITEHEAD INSTITUTE for BIOMEDICAL RESEARCH\r\nWhitehead Institute for Biomedical Research is a leading, nonprofit research and educational institution that has defined the cutting edge of biomedical science, creating a legacy of research excellence and academic eminence since 1982. Wholly independent in its governance, finances and research programs, Whitehead shares a teaching affiliation with Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), offering the intellectual, collegial and scientific benefits of a leading research university. Whitehead’s Faculty Members and Fellows run pioneering programs in cancer research, immunology, developmental biology, stem cell research, regenerative medicine, genetics and genomics—programs with a record of success. \r\n\r\nWe offer excellent benefits including a choice of health insurance options; a generous retirement plan; comprehensive dental, disability and life insurance coverage; competitive salary, substantial vacation and holiday time; and programs for tuition reimbursement, dependent care assistance, pre-tax spending accounts, and subsidized public transportation or parking. We also offer relocation assistance.\r\n\r\nThe Whitehead Institute believes diversity, equity and inclusion (DE&I) are integral to its values and mission. As a research Institute dedicated to improving human health through biomedical science, we believe that diverse thought invokes creative inquiry, drives innovation, and fuels scientific breakthrough. We welcome all individuals of all backgrounds including race, ethnicity, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, age, veterans status, national origin, disability, marital status, parental status, socioeconomic status and/or origin. Whitehead Institute is an Equal Opportunity Employer.