Research Assistant II Lab

Company Description

By working at Harvard University, you join a vibrant community that advances Harvard's world‑changing mission in meaningful ways, inspires innovation and collaboration, builds skills and expertise, and is dedicated to creating a diverse and welcoming environment where everyone can thrive.

Harvard Medical School's mission is to nurture a diverse, inclusive community dedicated to alleviating suffering and improving health and well‑being for all through excellence in teaching and learning, discovery and scholarship, and service and leadership. You’ll be at the heart of biomedical discovery, education, and innovation, working alongside world‑renowned faculty and a community dedicated to improving human health. This is more than a job – it’s an opportunity to shape the future of medicine.

The Lu Lab is seeking a highly motivated and technically skilled Research Assistant to support ongoing efforts in small‑molecule discovery targeting the ubiquitin–proteasome system (UPS). The position will contribute to a multidisciplinary drug discovery pipeline aimed at identifying and validating inhibitors of a large HECT‑domain E3 ubiquitin ligase implicated in cancer and other diseases. This role is ideal for candidates interested in research at the interface of chemical biology, protein biochemistry, and cell biology, with opportunities to engage in both assay development and mechanistic studies.

In addition to performing scientific experiments, this role will also be responsible for lab management tasks and mouse colony maintenance.

• Execute and optimize biochemical and cell‑based assays to evaluate small‑molecule inhibitors (e.g., ubiquitination assays, reporter systems).
• Support hit validation and SAR workflows in collaboration with external partners.
• Analyze experimental data and maintain accurate, reproducible records.
• Perform mammalian cell culture, including maintenance of engineered cell lines (e.g., CRISPR KO, inducible systems).
• Conduct molecular cloning (e.g. plasmid design, PCR), lentiviral production, and stable cell line generation.
• Perform western blotting, protein expression analysis, and microscopy‑based assays.
• Express and purify recombinant proteins (from both
  
  E.coli and mammalian cells).
• Assist in biochemical characterization of enzyme activity and inhibitor interactions.
• Support mouse work, including colony maintenance and experimental procedures (e.g. xenografts models).
• Assist with lab management responsibilities including ordering, inventory, equipment maintenance, and safety trainings.

• May be required to lift, move and transport laboratory equipment.
• May be required to work with a variety of hazardous materials.

• College background in Biology, Biochemistry, Chemical Biology, or a related field, and 1‑2+ years of relevant laboratory experience.

• Bachelor's degree preferred.
• Experience in protein biochemistry including protein purification, enzymatic assays, western blotting.
• Familiarity with mammalian cell culture and genetic manipulation (CRISPR, shRNA, or lentiviral systems).
• Experience in molecular cloning (PCR, restriction digest, Gibson Assembly, Golden Gate Assembly, transformation, etc.).
• Basic data analysis/programming.
• Exposure to drug screening or chemical biology approaches is highly desirable.
• Experience with mouse handling is a plus (not required).

• Term:
  One‑year term position from the date of hire, with the possibility of extension contingent upon work performance and continued funding.
• Standard Hours/
  
  Schedule:
  
  40 hrs. per week, Monday – Friday, 8:00 am – 5:00 pm.
• Visa Sponsorship Information:
  Harvard University is unable to provide visa sponsorship for this position.
• Pre‑Employment Screening:
  Identity, criminal, pre‑placement medical evaluation.

This position is salary grade level 053. Please visit Harvard's Salary Ranges to view the corresponding salary range and related information.

• Generous paid time off including parental leave.
• Medical, dental, and vision health…