Reseach Assistant II

Overview

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

Why join Harvard Medical School?

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 Seidman Lab is internationally recognized for its work on the genetic basis of cardiovascular disease, including congenital heart disease. As part of a multicenter consortium, the lab studies a large cohort of participants with congenital heart disease and integrates approaches across computational genomics, gene editing, and model systems such as animal models and human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs).

The Research Assistant II will work under nominal supervision of the Principal Investigator and senior laboratory staff. The incumbent will exercise independent judgment within established laboratory protocols and procedures, organize daily work priorities, and seek guidance for complex or unusual situations. The Research Assistant I will support ongoing research efforts focused on the functional validation of potentially pathogenic genetic variants.

• Perform standard laboratory experiments and procedures in support of research projects.
• Assist with functional validation studies of genetic variants using appropriate model systems.
• Operate and maintain laboratory equipment; maintain cell cultures and other experimental materials (e.g., iPSCs, cell lines, or model organisms).
• Accurately record, analyze, and organize experimental data using standard laboratory techniques.
• Assist in troubleshooting experiments and optimizing protocols as needed.
• Present experimental results and progress updates at lab meetings.
• Maintain a clean, organized, and safe laboratory environment.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

The individual will also perform bioinformatic analyses of large-scale genomic and transcriptomic datasets, including processing, cleaning, organizing, and managing biological data using R and Python; conducting quality control assessments and validating data integrity using established metrics and computational pipelines; performing statistical and computational analyses using multiple bioinformatics platforms and software tools; developing and optimizing scripts and computational workflows to ensure reproducibility and efficiency;

and generating data visualizations, summaries, and reports to support interpretation of research findings and presentation of results.

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

• College background or equivalent work experience, preferably in a related discipline.
• One to two+ years related work experience especially in laboratory context (relevant coursework may count towards experience).

• Demonstrated abilities in basic laboratory techniques helpful, but not required.
• Exposure to applicable computer technologies, including R and Python, is required.
• Appropriate communications skills required.

• Term: This is a one-year term position from the date of hire, with the possibility of extension, contingent upon work performance and continued funding to support the position.
• Standard Hours/
  
  Schedule:
  
  35 hrs. per week | Monday - Friday | 9:00 am - 5:00 pm
• Visa Sponsorship Information: Harvard University is unable to provide visa sponsorship for this position.
• Pre-Employment Screening: Identity
• Other Information:
• Staying Informed About Your Application: Due to the high volume of…