Research Lab Technician , Drosophila research

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The General Hospital Corporation Mass General Brigham relies on a wide range of professionals, including doctors, nurses, business people, tech experts, researchers, and systems analysts to advance our mission. As a not-for-profit, we support patient care, research, teaching, and community service, striving to provide exceptional care. We believe that high-performing teams drive groundbreaking medical discoveries and invite all applicants to join us and experience what it means to be part of Mass General Brigham.

The Sandlin lab at the Center for Engineering in Medicine & Surgery at Massachusetts General Hospital is an interdisciplinary research environment that brings together engineers, scientists, and clinicians to develop and translate new technologies. We are designing and prototyping technologies to automate the cryopreservation of fruit flies (Drosophila). This highly interdisciplinary project brings together biology, chemistry, and engineering to address an important challenge in biomedical research: developing a robust and scalable approach for the long-term preservation of widely used genetic model organisms.

The work offers a unique translational opportunity to help advance a laboratory cryopreservation protocol into an automated platform that could enable its broader adoption and use.

The successful candidate will work closely with our staff across multiple aspects of the project, including the application of biological assays, development and testing of novel cryopreservation chemistries, and design, prototyping, and evaluation of a device for protocol optimization. Responsibilities also include maintaining laboratory equipment, organizing and preparing samples, conducting experiments, and recording and analyzing data. This position is well suited for a candidate interested in hands‑on, interdisciplinary research at the interface of biology and engineering.

Candidates who are in the process of completing their bachelor's degree have a grace period of six months from their hire date (up to 1 year if starting per diem) to provide degree equivalency verification. Does this position require Patient Care? No

• Perform laboratory experiments following established protocols and procedures.
• Prepare and handle samples, reagents, and solutions, ensuring accuracy and adherence to safety guidelines.
• Perform biological assays and contribute to the development and evaluation of new experimental protocols and cryopreservation chemistries.
• Assist with the design, prototyping, testing, and iterative improvement of devices and experimental systems used to automate the cryopreservation protocol.
• Operate and maintain laboratory equipment and instruments, conducting routine calibration and troubleshooting as needed.
• Record experimental data accurately and maintain organized records of procedures, protocols, and results.
• Compile and analyze data using appropriate statistical and analytical methods.
• Assist in data interpretation and presentation, contributing to research findings and reports.

• Education:
  
  Bachelor's Degree Related Field of Study required.
• Can this role accept experience in lieu of a degree? Yes.
• Experience:
  
  Prior laboratory experience, either through academic coursework, internships, or employment; 1-2 years preferred.
• Prior experience with Drosophila or other insect model systems a plus.
• Prior engineering coursework, research experience, or hands‑on prototyping experience a plus.
• Experience with biological assays, microscopy, solution preparation, or experimental instrumentation a plus.
• Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
  
  Strong theoretical and practical knowledge of laboratory techniques and procedures.
• Familiarity with common laboratory equipment and instruments used in research experiments.
• Interest in interdisciplinary research spanning biology, chemistry, and engineering.
• Ability to learn and apply biological assays and experimental techniques and to contribute to the development and optimization of new protocols.
• Comfort with hands‑on assembly, testing, and troubleshooting of experimental equipment and prototype devices.
• Proficiency in data collection,…