Research Technician, Cancer Center Jan Lab

General Summary

The Jan lab at the Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) Krantz Family Center for Cancer Research and Harvard Medical School is recruiting for a Research Technician. We are looking for experienced and energetic candidates who are passionate about science and contributing to translational research with the potential to help people with cancer.

Research Technician is a full-time laboratory research position. Primary responsibilities are to design, perform, and interpret experiments under the supervision of the project head and PI. The role will begin with technical and conceptual training before transitioning towards increasing independence. The Research Technician will have the opportunity to advance their own mentored project as well as contribute to collaborative work from the lab. The position requires a person with a bachelor's degree in biology or a related field. Laboratory experience within or beyond undergraduate studies is preferred but not required. Successful candidates have strong communication and organizational skills,and enjoy teamwork and continual learning.

Scientific and Career Opportunities

A research summary can be found at the website above. A mentorship statement and team page can be found at: https://www.janlabmgh.org/. In brief, we are developing a clinically suitable synthetic biology toolkit using targeted protein degradation in order to enhance the safety, efficacy, and accessibility of cell-based therapies for people with cancer. Our laboratory explores the intersection of multiple fields with enormous potential to improve human health in the coming years: immunology, synthetic biology, targeted protein degradation drug development, and cell therapy. Promising candidate cell therapies developed in our laboratory have a direct path to clinical translation in the MGH Cellular Immunotherapy Program.

Trainee wellbeing, including fostering a diverse, inclusive, and welcoming culture, are the foremost priorities of the lab. Mentorship and career development are highly organized and critical aspects of our overall mission. Research Technicians are prominent and essential members of our team. Research Technicians are expected to lead projects, make major scientific contributions, and grow as independent scientists directly mentored by the PI. In the first 2.5 years since the lab opened, our Research Technicians have given selected oral presentations at the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting and the European Society of Gene and Cell Therapy Congress, have been first author or co-first author of two research publications and one review (Lane et al, Cell Chemical Biology 2024, Kann et al, Leukemia 2024, Kembuan, Kim et al, Trends in Cancer 2024), and have been named as inventors on two patents held by MGH. Close collaboration with CAR T cell and cancer immunotherapy labs at Harvard and MGH ensures a large, dynamic, and vibrant scientific network. The lab, with its focus on emerging areas of biotechnology and medicine, commitment to training and mentorship, and value of a fun and relaxed workplace, strives to advance future leaders in science and medicine and support their careers long-term.

Principal Duties and Responsibilities

• Perform experiments including the following core techniques: molecular cloning, PCR, Western blot, cell culture, flow cytometry, ELISA, NGS, gene expression analysis, and murine CAR T cell models.
• Data analysis using Excel, Prism, Flowjo, R, and other software packages. Lab notebook documentation.
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• Participation in the outstanding and extensive research and clinical environment at Mass General and Harvard Medical School, including lab meetings, journal clubs, department events and conferences. The lab is affiliated with the following programs: Harvard Committee of Immunology, MGH Cellular Immunotherapy Program, DF/HCC Cancer Immunology Program, Broad Institute Genomics Platform.
• Contribution to manuscripts and patent applications. Opportunities for clinical shadowing at MGH.

Please send CV to Dr. Max Jan at: mjan@mgh.harvard.edu.

Qualifications

EDUCATION:

• Bachelor's degree required.

EXPERIENCE:

• New graduates with some lab experience (via course work, internships, etc.) or those without any prior research experience will be considered for the Research Technician I position outlined above.
• Those with a minimum of 1 year of directly related work experience will be considered for a Research Technician II position.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY (if applicable):

• A Research Technician II may serve as a team leader to lab assistants and Research Technician I's.

EEO Statement

Massachusetts General Hospital is an Affirmative Action Employer. By embracing diverse skills, perspectives and ideas, we choose to lead. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religious creed, national origin, sex, age, gender identity, disability, sexual orientation, military service, genetic information, and/or other status protected under law. We will ensure that all individuals with a disability are provided a reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment.