Job Opportunities updated July 29, 2008

• Postdoctoral Training Positions  
• Staff Positions
• Technician Positions

Welcome to Boston!

Boston is a great place to live and work. From the Boston Symphony Orchestra to the Museum of Fine Arts, from Newbury Street galleries to the bookstores of Harvard Square, this cosmopolitan city has enough cultural attractions to keep you busy for a lifetime.

Boston is America’s 20th largest city with a population of 650,000 and it has the nation's highest concentration of colleges with more than 250,000 students flocking to the city each fall. Boston is a city steeped in history where you can walk to Paul Revere's House, the Old North Church, the Boston Tea Party and Massacre sites, Faneuil Hall, the U.S.S. Constitution, the country’s first public library and ride the country’s first subway system to Fenway Park – home to the 2004 World Series Champions – the Boston Red Sox. Boston is also a city looking ahead to tomorrow. For centuries Boston has stood at the forefront of technological and civic transformation attracting scholars from across the world.

The Center for Human Genetic Research is located in the new Simches Research Center at the Massachusetts General Hospital. Situated in the center of the city and along the beautiful Charles River, the Massachusetts General Hospital is the third oldest hospital in the United States and the largest in New England. It consistently ranks as one of the country's best hospitals by U.S. News and World Report.

The CHGR offers an exceptional opportunity to learn and grow in an exciting and stimulating environment. If you'd like to join our team, have a look at our job opportunities below!

Please contact individual faculty directly to inquire about postdoctoral training opportunities. While all faculty are always interested in hearing from prospective applicants, below are some specifically advertised positions.

Post-Doctoral Scientist
(Psychiatric Genetics, Pharmacogenetics, and Statistical Genetics)

The Psychiatric and Neurodevelopmental Genetics Unit in the MGH Center for Human Genetic Research and the Psychiatric Genetics Program in Mood and Anxiety Disorders in the MGH Department of Psychiatry has an immediate opening for a postdoctoral position to conduct cutting-edge genetic, statistical and bioinformatic analyses of large-scale studies of a range of psychiatric phenotypes including disease susceptibility and pharmacogenetic outcomes. Ongoing studies include genomewide and candidate gene analyses of antidepressant response, psychotic, mood, and anxiety disorders, and substance use disorders. Close supervision and intensive training will be provided by a team of collegial experts in neuropsychiatric genetics, statistical genetics, bioinformatics, and genetic epidemiology. We seek a highly motivated and dedicated MD or PhD in genetics, bioinformatics or statistical genetics with excellent quantitative skills, proven ability to work well in a collaborative environment, fluency with all modes of communication in English, and strong writing skills. The successful applicant will have strong training in statistics or biostatistics, data mining, and genetic analysis as well as experience with database management and computer programming. To apply, please send a single email containing your CV, a short statement describing your qualifications for this position, and contact information for three professional references to:

Dr. Jordan W. Smoller
e-mail: jsmoller@hms.harvard.edu

Postdoctoral Research Fellow

A position for a postdoctoral research fellow is available in the Center for Human Genetic Research at Massachusetts General Hospital/Harvard Medical School for a highly motivated individual interested in studying the mechanisms underlying CAG trinucleotide repeat instability in Huntington’s disease (HD). The position is available initially for two years and offers the opportunity to work in a highly stimulating and collaborative research environment. The mutant HD CAG repeat is unstable and prone to somatic expansion in a tissue-specific manner. Chromatin structure and DNA methylation are strongly implicated as factors that can modify CAG repeat instability. With the aim of understanding the basis for the tissue-specific somatic expansion, the project will focus on investigating whether there are tissue-specific differences in the proteins that bind to the expanded HD CAG repeat, in chromatin organization and in DNA methylation of the repeat region. The project forms part of a research program directed at using genetic approaches to dissect the mechanisms involved in germline and somatic repeat instability and pathogenesis in HD. Candidates should hold a Ph.D. in Molecular Biology, Biochemistry or related field, have a strong background in molecular biology techniques, preferably with experience in protein biochemistry. Specific expertise in chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP), chromatin biochemistry or DNA methylation is a plus. Please email CV and contact information for three professional references to:

Dr. Vanessa Wheeler
email: w heeler@helix.mgh.harvard.edu

Research Technologist, Cell Culture
Job Description:

The Psychiatric and Neurodevelopmental Genetics Unit in the Massachusetts General Hospital Center for Human Genetic Research invites applications for a Technical Assistant position to support research examining the molecular etiology of schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. The emphasis will be on the establishment and use of a bank of human disease cell lines for cell-based phenotypic and biochemical assays aimed at validating candidate genes and pathways identified by on-going human genetic studies. Responsibility for routine culture of cells and documentation of existing and new cell lines as needed. Uses discretion to organize workflow and to change methodologies to optimize work results and communicates effectively with all levels of staff to ensure that work supports team goals. This position is ideal for candidates interested in the medical application of basic research, and is a unique opportunity for interacting in a highly collaborative and dynamic environment with close collaborative interactions with the Stanley Center for Psychiatric Disease at the Broad Institute.

Qualifications:

Minimum of a Master’s degree in Cell Biology, Molecular Biology, or related field required. Must have at least two years of laboratory research experience, preferably in the context of an independent project. Familiarity with the operation of standard lab equipment, mammalian cell culture, fluorescence microscopy, and molecular biology also required. Ability to perform basic quantitative analysis of large data sets required. More advanced statistics or programming skills a plus. Prior experience working with human lymphoblastoids and experience with various types of cellular and biochemical assays, including genotyping and DNA sequencing are preferred. Excellent communication skills and the ability to interact professionally with all levels of staff and with external contacts in a fast paced environment required. Excellent critical thinking skills and attention to detail required.

Please send curriculum vitae and names of three references to:
Dr. Pamela Sklar, c/o Erin Hendrickson, Center for Human Genetic Research, Massachusetts General Hospital, 185 Cambridge Street, Boston, MA 02114, e-mail: ehendrickson@pngu.mgh.harvard.edu

Research Laboratory Technician
Overall Responsibility:
As part of a dynamic neuropsychiatric genetics group that is actively searching for the genetic causes of schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, oversees projects that are designed to manage the team’s technical processes. Oversees all aspects of bench level experiments in the lab including, but not limited to, PCR based genotyping, RNA preparation, Gel Electrophoresis and Quantification of DNA. Techniques include DNA sequencing, and SNP genotyping via Sequenom MassArray. Experience with tissue culture and molecular biology techniques a plus. Assists project lead in development of protocols for experiments, conducting experiments to determine approaches for meeting project goals, and evaluating feasibility of new projects. Analyzes quality and quantity of experimental data, identifies technical problems, revises protocol strategies as necessary, and investigates alternative technical or organizational solutions Manages and utilizes an internal group database to track DNA samples, primers, and genotypes. Maintains and tracks new and current DNA samples. Uses a high level of discretion to prioritize workflow and experimental methodologies. Effectively communicates with all levels of staff to optimize workflow and to solve problems.

Characteristic Duties:
• In consultation with project leader, designs and carries out small independent projects.
• Ensures that the progress and results of various experiments and projects adhere to project requirements and team goals. Manages a database to compile and present results in meaningful manner.
• Collaborates with project leader to analyze results, to address complex technical problems, and to assist with identifying team goals and priorities. Documents, compiles, organizes and analyzes experimental data by performing calculations, preparing graphic displays and creating detailed spreadsheets; assists with interpreting data to identify possible methodological problems.
• Continually aids in and adapts to the creation of new and improved techniques in data analysis, experiment design and implementation in an effort to optimize techniques and lab protocols.
• Actively participates in all team meetings for experimental planning and review, ensuring that all projects support current team goals.
• May forecast and purchase materials and supply needs as required by project details.
• Interacts with vendors and collaborators to investigate novel supplies and technologies. Interacts with all levels of staff to assist with evaluations of new equipment.
• May train and supervise Technical Assistants and other entry-level lab personnel in the design and performance of smaller experiments and projects that contribute to larger ongoing projects.
• Other tasks as required.

Qualifications:
• Bachelor’s degree and at least 2 years of experience in a related field, Master’s degree and 1 year of experience or equivalent combination of education and experience required.
• Comfort working in the UNIX environment a plus.
• Previous experience with sequencing and Sequenom genotyping a plus.
• Must possess a familiarity with basic molecular biology techniques, sterile techniques, and the operation of standard lab equipment.
• Excellent knowledge of computers and experience with databases required.
• Excellent organization and time management skills.
• Must possess a high level of initiative and the ability to work with little supervision.

Posted By: Dr. Pamela Sklar

Please email resumes/CVs and cover letters to Erin Hendrickson at:
ehendrickson@partners.org