Research Technician - Biology - Tufts University

The Allen Discovery Center is dedicated to the advancement of basic biology and biomedicine, and to becoming a leader in an integrated approach to the control of biological structure and function. Through a combination of developmental biophysics, computer science, and cognitive science, the work of the center seeks a multi-level understanding of natural and synthetic living forms. Exploiting novel mechanisms of cellular decision-making, we seek to understand and augment the information processing, computation, and patterning processes that implement the generation and regenerative repair of anatomical structures.

Our goal is to complement the mainstream advances focused on the genetically-specified hardware of live with new approaches to reprogramming the physiological software inherent to living tissues. Technology is being developed to modulate the bioelectric communication that enables cells to coordinate their activities toward specific anatomical and functional outcomes. Using this bioelectric interface, we develop ways to exploit the collective intelligence of cells toward transformative applications in birth defects, regenerative medicine, cancer reprogramming, and synthetic bioengineering. 

This is a full-time position at 40 hours per week. This is also a one-year limited term and grant funded position, with renewal for up to three years based upon performance.

We are seeking a versatile and highly motivated Research Technician, who will report to the Administrative Director at our Center and assist both staff scientist researcher and animal husbandry staff. The work takes place in a teaching / learning environment within a supportive lab, and appropriate training will be provided.

• This individual will aid the PI with a broad range of bench top lab techniques supporting multiple projects in a developmental biology-focused lab.
• Up to 75 percent of the primary tasks will include culturing and manipulating amphibian embryos, examining whether treatments alter embryonic development, brightfield and fluorescent microscopy, immunohistochemistry, time-lapse imaging, data recording/analysis, and general lab responsibilities. 
• The remaining time will be dedicated focusing on aquatic animal husbandry: maintaining resident stocks of multiple organisms (primarily Xenopus laevis frogs and may include planaria, zebrafish and axolotls), and their housing equipment.
• The ideal candidate must be observant, detail-oriented, and able to manage multiple concurrent tasks with excellent verbal and written communication skills. Experience with vertebrate or invertebrate model organisms is valuable, but not required.

Basic Requirements:

• Knowledge and skills as typically acquired by a Bachelor’s degree in a STEM field of focus: biochemistry, biology, biomedical engineering, or a related discipline is required, with 1–2 years of molecular biology experience in an academic or industrial laboratory.
• Standard background in biological research: making solutions, microscopy, pipetting, electronic laboratory notebooks
• Background work with an in vivo or in vitro biological system (i.e. any living organism)
• Understanding of how different water parameters can interact. ex: ammonia byproducts interact with pH, adding buffers can also change salinity
• Comfortable following the instructions of the veterinary team and supervising staff and asking clarifying questions when needed 

Preferred Qualifications:

• Familiarity with basic statistics, image analysis software, and Adobe Illustrator/Photoshop a plus.  This individual must be an extremely organized person, with excellent interpersonal and analytical skills.  The ideal candidate will have the ability to multi-task, be able to work independently, and possess a strong drive toward excellence in state-of-the-art research
• experience with a biological model species
• experience with computerized water monitoring systems
• understanding of common plumbing and tubing types used in aquatic housing systems

Special Work Schedule Requirements:

Requires the ability to be organized in a fast-paced environment and demands detailed work on multiple concurrent tasks requiring concentrated attention.   While performing the duties of this job, the employee may be required to work with toxic or caustic chemicals. The employee is regularly exposed to cool, wet and/or humid conditions; potentially working with moving mechanical parts; fumes or airborne particles. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.