Research Lab Tech I DOM Channing

Job Summary

Perform laboratory work and office duties associated with the Channing/Harvard Cohorts Biorepository (CHCB). The CHCB houses some of the largest, most intensively studied longitudinal cohorts in the world, including the Nurses' Health Study (I and II), the Health Professionals Follow-up Study, Growing Up Today Study, and the Physician's Health Study I, with over 3 million research biospecimens distributed for research annually.

Principal Duties

• Distribution: As part of a team, execute the production and distribution of projects by preparing necessary computer files; retrieving biospecimens from Liquid Nitrogen (LN2) freezers; printing labels; aliquoting; adding quality control samples (QCs); double checking the project; creating ship lists; arranging for local deliveries or shipments via courier; placing remaining samples in permanent storage and updating electronic records; and recording all details of each project.
• Collections: Assist Collection Laboratory Manager in creation of kits; process incoming biospecimen collections via standard operating protocols (SOPs); enter specimens and questionnaire data into a Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS); perform quality control testing (QCT) to confirm storage locations.
• Data Recordation: Train on how to use the LIMS and UNIX System and assist upper management by discussing the process, improvement needs, and workflow.
• Infrastructure: As part of a team, be involved in semi-weekly monitoring and upkeep of freezer health of liquid nitrogen and -80 C freezers, external bulk tank, and Dewar replacements; consolidate and update samples in the freezers; assist in organization of temporary storage including quality controls and drift pools.
• Emergency Responder: In very rare cases, assist the team when a freezer emergency occurs; may be asked to come in during the evening or on a weekend for a few hours to assist in urgent transfer of biospecimens.
• General: As needed, contribute to other general activities such as proofreading, contributing to and/or writing SOPs; organization and inventory of supplies; and presenting items to be ordered.

Working Conditions

The work takes place in office, laboratory, and freezer farm settings. Frequent exposure to LN2 freezers in strictly monitored air ventilation rooms. Walking between three sites (221 Longwood, 181 Longwood, and 667 Huntington Avenue) is required throughout the year. Exposure to human biological specimens and LN2 occurs daily. Occasional trips to area hospitals, universities, and companies are required to meet with collaborating investigators and/or deliver samples.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in life sciences required.
• Excellent organizational, interpersonal, and communication skills are essential.
• Comfort handling human biological and frozen specimens strongly preferred.
• Experience with robotics is a plus.
• Ability to understand scientific terminology.
• Strict attention to detail and ability to carry out careful laboratory techniques.
• Comfort level with computers and databases.
• Friendly, professional personality and thoughtful listener.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality.
• Must be able to lift a 19 to 25-pound freezer rack repeatedly.
• Able to push heavy equipment.