Working at MIT offers opportunities, an environment, a culture – and benefits – that just aren’t found together anywhere else. If you’re curious, motivated, want to be part of a unique community, and help shape the future – then take a look at this opportunity.

SENIOR RESEARCH SUPPORT ASSOCIATE, Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research-Belcher Lab, to support researchers in performing cutting-edge, preclinical animal model studies of the diagnosis and treatment of various cancer types using multifunctional, highly-specific, biotemplated targeted nanomaterials unique to the Belcher Lab. Will assist in performing scaled-up synthesis, validation, and materials characterization of biotemplated nanomaterials. Responsibilities include maintaining animal cohorts, classified in sub-groups based on the type of cancer being studied and on the treatment/control subjects; perform basic animal handling tasks, such as animal husbandry; using bioluminescence/fluorescence imaging techniques and injections for dosing purposes; assisting with post-study necropsy analyses, including animal tissue harvesting, histology, and microscopy; scaling production of biomaterials such as M13 bacteriophage using the pilot scale bioreactor; helping with conjugation of inorganic nanomaterials in through chemo-physical functionalization techniques; performing materials characterization to evaluate the properties of lab-synthesized biotemplated nanomaterials prior to use in animal treatments; and maintaining stable cell lines through regular mammalian cell culture protocols.  

Job Requirements

REQUIRED: high school diploma; comfort handling/working with live small animals (mice/rats); excellent organizational, interpersonal, and oral and written communication skills; comfort analyzing, summarizing, and reporting results to researchers; commitment to exceeding quality standards, providing exceptional services, and producing accurate and high quality work; meticulous attention to detail; practiced documentation skills; and ability to follow safety procedures, maintain a safe work environment, and work independently and as part of a team.

PREFERRED:  bachelor’s degree in biology, biological engineering, chemistry, chemical engineering, materials science and engineering, mechanical engineering, or related field; and familiarity with basic biomaterials processing and characterization techniques (e.g., DNA sequencing, microscopy, histopathology/immunohistochemistry analyses).  Training available for specialized tasks such as animal injections.  Job #18878-4

This is a non-exempt, one-year, term-limit position with the possibility of extension contingent upon sufficient funding.

MIT is an equal employment opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment and will not be discriminated against on the basis of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, disability, age, genetic information, veteran status, ancestry, or national or ethnic origin.

MIT considers equivalent combinations of experience and education for certain jobs. All candidates who believe they possess equivalent experience and education are encouraged to apply.