Research Assistant; Pathophysiology & Molecular Pharmacology

Overview

The Research Assistant is a full-time, on-site laboratory position in the Kostic Laboratory, which studies how gut bacteria and bacterially derived extracellular vesicles influence the immune system in type 1 diabetes. The Research Assistant performs bench experiments spanning bacterial culture, cellular immunology, and animal studies, and is responsible for the accurate execution and documentation of that experimental work.

As a health care organization, we have the responsibility to do everything in our power to care for and protect our patients, our colleagues and our communities. Beth Israel Lahey Health requires that all staff be vaccinated against influenza (flu) as a condition of employment.

• Culture bacterial strains, including under anaerobic conditions, and purify bacterial extracellular vesicles (EVs) by tangential-flow filtration and size-exclusion chromatography.
• Characterize purified EVs by nanoparticle tracking analysis, electron microscopy, and endotoxin (LAL) testing, and prepare samples for mass spectrometry.
• Culture primary immune cells, including mouse bone marrow-derived dendritic cells and human monocyte-derived dendritic cells.
• Perform functional immunology assays, including cytokine ELISAs and multicolor flow cytometry, to measure immune and regulatory T cell responses.
• Support in vivo mouse studies, including scheduled dosing by oral gavage, weekly blood glucose monitoring, and accurate record-keeping across the full course of long-running studies.
• Harvest and process tissues, including spleen and pancreatic lymph nodes, for immunophenotyping, and assist with downstream flow cytometry and histology.
• Conduct all animal work in strict compliance with approved IACUC protocols and applicable institutional safety and regulatory requirements.
• Process human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from healthy donors and donors with type 1 diabetes and perform cell-based assays in human samples.
• Maintain meticulous, contemporaneous records in an electronic laboratory notebook.
• Prepare reagents and buffers, manage sample inventory, and help maintain shared laboratory equipment.
• Organize, analyze, and summarize experimental data using standard analysis software (e.g., Flow Jo, Graph Pad Prism).
• Other duties as assigned.

• Bachelor's degree in biology, biochemistry, immunology, microbiology, or a related scientific field, or equivalent knowledge and experience.
• Entry level. Prior hands-on laboratory research experience is required, which may include undergraduate research, a thesis project, a post-baccalaureate research program, or a previous laboratory position.
• Preferred: prior mouse-handling experience (oral gavage, injections, blood collection, dissection); experience with flow cytometry, cell or tissue culture and sterile technique, or ELISA; exposure to anaerobic bacterial culture, extracellular vesicle or nanoparticle characterization (NTA, electron microscopy), chromatography (FPLC/SEC), or standard molecular biology (PCR, Western blot).
• Demonstrated reliability, organization, and attention to detail, including a track record of taking ownership of assigned work and consistently meeting deadlines.
• Accurate, thorough record-keeping and clear written and verbal communication.
• Ability to work independently following training, and to work collaboratively within a small research team.
• Ability and willingness to work with mice, human blood samples, and biohazardous materials; training is provided.
• Preferred: familiarity with data-analysis tools such as Flow Jo, Graph Pad Prism, R, or Python.

The pay range listed for this position is the base hourly wage range the organization reasonably and in good faith expects to pay for this position at this time. Actual compensation is determined based on several factors, that may include seniority, education, training, relevant experience, relevant certifications, geography of work location, job responsibilities, or other applicable factors permissible by law. Compensation may exceed the base hourly rate depending on shift differentials, call pay, premium pay, overtime pay, and other additional pay practices, as applicable to the position and in accordance with the law.