Research Associate I

Overview

Under the direction of the Principal Investigator (PI) or designee, the Research Associate I provides operational support to the laboratory. The Research Associate I will perform research experiments as defined by the PI.

The Hemond Lab (https://www.umassmed.edu/hemondlab/) at the University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School (https://www.umassmed.edu/umasschan/) is seeking a Research Associate for investigations of human, in-vivo MRI biomarker development, assessment and translation for multiple sclerosis. Our laboratory is interdisciplinary and collaborative. We are located at the University Campus in Worcester, MA, which is about 1 hour from both Boston, MA and Providence, RI.

Relevant recent publications from the lab: o     Lele et al., MSJ-ETC, 2025. (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40873659/)o     Hemond et al., Brain Communications 2025 (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40496668/)o     Al Gburi et al, MSJ 2025. (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39819146/)o     Hemond et al., MSJ 2022. (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35748669/)

Responsibilities

• Perform laboratory experiments and may be responsible for a single research project
• Utilize all software relevant to experiment and equipment used
• Interpret data, form conclusions and decide on next steps under the direction of the PI or designee
• Maintain accurate records, may modify protocols with the approval of the PI or designee
• Review literature, publications and grants relevant to assigned projects
• Record results according to established lab, sponsor & university protocol
• Assist with performing data analysis and/or mathematical computations
• Maintain a detailed lab notebook according to lab practice
• Present findings at lab/group meetings
• Assist with and comply with all safety regulation and infection control standards
• Train on IACUC, IRB, EHS, Radiation safety protocols
• Comply with all applicable state, federal university, and sponsor policies and agreements
• Provide support with identifying problems and challenges, propose resolutions, implement appropriate solutions
• Provide support with drafting standard operation procedures in compliance to EHS regulation specific for the lab
• Perform other duties as required

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Biological or Natural Science, or equivalent experience
• Basic understanding of lab safety and protocols
• Knowledge of Microsoft Office products
• Ability to analyze data in a quantitative and objective manner.
• Ability to work in a team environment

Additional Information

Applicants should submit a cover letter outlining research experience, career goals, and interest in the position, along with a curriculum vitae and contact information for three references.

In addition to the Essential Functions, the ideal candidate will have any of the below software experience as well as excellent organizational skills. These specific job duties typically involve but are not limited to the use of:

• Shell/command line (bash or bash equivalent) familiarity and scripting. Common imaging software includes ITK-SNAP, Freesurfer, FSL, and SPM.
• Data science, statistics experience (Spreadsheets, Python, R)
• Deep learning experience or implementation (not required but would be a plus - we use MONAI toolbox)
• High-performance computer cluster batch analysis
• Scientific writing

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