Research Assistant I

Position Summary
This is a joint position between the Kalish and Kheir Laboratories at Boston Children’s Hospital. Dr. Kalish’s lab seeks to develop new therapies to protect the fetal and newborn brain from injury. Dr. Kheir’s lab (The Translational Research Lab) seeks to improve the standard of care in pediatric and adult cardiovascular critical care medicine. Both Dr. Kalish and Dr. Kheir are working collaboratively to advance new treatments applicable for critically ill infants and children. This work spans preclinical animal models (including rodents and large animals, such as pigs and sheep) to early phase human clinical trials.

This position will be co-supervised by Drs. Kalish and Kheir. The primary responsibility will be the management of supply of hydrogen gas used for multiple ongoing clinical trials. Other responsbilities will include contributing to the organization of preclinical animal studies and other human-based clinical research studies. Ideally, a successful candidate would be able to make a minimum 18-month commitment. This would be an ideal position for a student interested in medicine who is seeking to gain exposure to translational research.

Key Responsibilities 

• Manages the supply of hydrogen gas for ongoing clinical trials, including ordering, assembly, and communication with suppliers and collaborators.
• According to prescribed protocols and assigned schedules, performs a variety of routine laboratory experiments and procedures, utilizing standard laboratory equipment, recording and checking results for completeness and accuracy.
• Assists in troubleshooting procedures if experimental results are unexpected or quality of specimens is poor.
• Performs the following techniques typically required for the laboratory/study:
  • Maintains records of results and methodologies in a log of work performed. Maintains equipment, lab area, and supplies in a neat professional manner.
  • Sterilize and clean glassware, and prepare media and other materials using appropriate procedures.
  • Inventories supplies, alerts supervisor to needed supplies, or mixes standard reagents.
  • Processes order for supplies and/or animals.
  • Attends courses in safety procedures for handling, storage, and disposal of biohazardous, flammable, corrosive, and toxic materials.
• Carries out all laboratory activities in compliance with applicable regulations and protocols.
• Conducts literature searches and reviews, compiling information for journals and suggesting uses for new techniques to the P.I.
• Attends courses, lectures, and conferences to further own knowledge of research and laboratory techniques, consulting with other researchers and technicians to exchange information.
• Contributes to the team within and between departments and organizations.

Minimum Qualifications
Education:

• A bachelor's degree in a STEM field 

Experience

• Strong interest in human clinical trials.
• Strong organizational and communication skills.
• Analytical skills to resolve problems that require the use of basic scientific, mathematical, statistical or technical principles.
• No prior animal research experience is necessary, but willingness to learn these techniques is required.