Associate/Research Associate in Microbiology

Harvard University
Title: Associate/Research Associate in Microbiology

School: Harvard School of Dental Medicine

Department_Area: Oral Medicine, Infection, and Immunity

Position Description: Under direction of the Principal Investigator and Senior Research Associate, the Associate/Research Associate in Microbiology will provide moderately complex lab support for research focused on oral microbiology and molecular biology techniques as related to periodontology and other oral infections. The Associate/Research Associate will assist in designing and selecting experiments, protocols, and procedures; conduct experiments involving next-generation sequencing, qPCR/rtPCR, checkerboard DNA - DNA hybridization, aerobic and anaerobic microbial culturing, confocal microscopy, biochemical analysis, maintenance of reference strains, and biofilm growth; and preparing reagents accurately and recording experimental results in both written and electronic formats.
Applicant must possess excellent communication skills, be self-motivated, work with a high degree of integrity, and possess a willingness and ability to acquire new skills.
Other required duties are conducting literature searches and retrieving relevant articles, presenting findings related to progress at regular lab meetings, preparing and plotting data for quantitative and statistical analysis.
This position has a term appointment of one year from the date of hire with the possibility for extension.
Other responsibilities/abilities required for this position are:
1. Ensuring the day-to-day needs of the lab.
2. Broad knowledge of common lab equipment.
3. Planning, developing, organizing, and implementing policies, procedures and standards for lab operations.
4. Management of the laboratory budgets from industry and NIH funded grants.

Basic Qualifications: 1. A Bachelor's Degree and 1-5 years of experience with microbiology.
2. Strong collaborative and communication skills is a must.
3. Demonstrated skills at problem solving, analytical and critical thinking, effective planning and organization, troubleshooting, and problem solving in bench work.

Additional Qualifications: 1. Experience in microbiological laboratory techniques, with a strong emphasis on molecular microbiology (as outlined in the duties section) and expertise in handling and culturing challenging bacterial species.
2. Ability to work with mice and manage and maintain mouse colonies for research studies.
3. Previous experience with clinical samples.
4. Highly effectively communicator as both a temporary employee supervisor and as a team member.
5. Advanced computer knowledge including MS Word, MS Excel, Endnote/Mendley and database management.

Special Instructions: Interested applicants should submit a cover letter, CV, and 3 contact references.

Contact Information: Almaz Webneh
HSDM
188 Longwood Avenue
Boston, MA 02115

Contact Email: Almaz_webneh@hsdm.harvard.edu

Equal Opportunity Employer: We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, gender identity, sexual orientation, pregnancy and pregnancy-related conditions or any other characteristic protected by law.

Minimum Number of References Required: 3

Maximum Number of References Allowed: 3


Supplemental Questions: Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

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