Administrative Research Tech

Administrative Research Technician

The Walensky laboratory of cancer chemical biology at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Harvard Medical School is seeking an energetic, efficient, and resourceful Administrative Research Technician interested in gaining hands-on research experience under the direction of a principal investigator who serves as a physician, scientist, and educator. This position combines laboratory research responsibilities with administrative support in an academic research environment.

Specific research duties will include experimentation across chemistry, biochemistry, and cancer cell biology. Responsibilities may include ligand-binding analyses, protein production and purification, and performing assays using cultured cells, purified organelles, and cell lysates. The primary scientific focus of the laboratory is on deregulated cell death and transcriptional pathways in cancer, with a major interest in overcoming chemoresistance through the development and application of novel chemical tools and prototype therapeutics.

In addition to bench-based research activities, the Administrative Research Technician will support laboratory administration by assisting with a variety of administrative tasks relevant to an academic research lab, including meeting and event planning, reconciling monthly expenses and reimbursements, onboarding and offboarding employees, maintaining the lab’s website, supporting compliance-related activities, and facilitating communication and coordination among laboratory members and collaborators. The Administrative Research Technician will also provide direct administrative support to Dr. Loren Walensky in both his role as Principal Investigator of the Walensky Laboratory and as the Director of the Harvard/MIT MD-PhD Program.

The successful candidate will be a highly organized and detail-oriented individual with strong academic preparation in the biological or chemical sciences and a genuine interest in contributing to both scientific discovery and the efficient operation of a collaborative academic research laboratory. They will demonstrate the ability to manage multiple tasks efficiently, communicate clearly, follow protocols precisely, and maintain accurate records in a fast-paced research environment. The ideal candidate will be a motivated team player with strong written and verbal communication skills, basic computer and data-management proficiency, excellent interpersonal skills, and the capacity to work independently under guidance while contributing effectively to an interdisciplinary research team. They should also be comfortable balancing bench-based research responsibilities with administrative and operational support, including coordination, scheduling, event support, expense/reimbursement tracking, record keeping, communication with laboratory members and collaborators, and direct support of the principal investigator.

Located in Boston and the surrounding communities, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute is a leader in life changing breakthroughs in cancer research and patient care. We are united in our mission of conquering cancer, HIV/AIDS, and related diseases. We strive to create an inclusive, diverse, and equitable environment where we provide compassionate and comprehensive care to patients of all backgrounds, and design programs to promote public health particularly among high-risk and underserved populations. We conduct groundbreaking research that advances treatment, we educate tomorrow's physician/researchers, and we work with amazing partners, including other Harvard Medical School-affiliated hospitals.
 

•    Bachelor’s degree, or equivalent, in Biology, Chemistry, Biochemistry, Cell Biology, Molecular Biology, or a related scientific field.
•    Minimum of two years of laboratory experience through undergraduate research, co-op experience, internships, summer research programs, or employment in an academic or industry basic science laboratory.
•    Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and ability to manage multiple responsibilities in a fast-paced academic research environment.
•    Strong written and verbal communication skills.
•    Ability to work independently under guidance, follow protocols precisely, maintain accurate records, and contribute effectively as part of a collaborative interdisciplinary research team.
•    Interest in a hybrid role that includes both hands-on laboratory research and administrative/operational support for an academic research laboratory.
Preferred Qualifications: 
•    Strong academic record in rigorous science coursework.
•    Prior experience in an academic research laboratory, including independent research, thesis research, summer research, or equivalent project-based laboratory experience.
•    Hands-on experience with mammalian cell culture, biochemistry, molecular biology, protein analysis, or related laboratory techniques.
•    Demonstrated administrative, operational, or leadership experience through employment, campus organizations, residential life, student government, volunteer leadership, event planning, program coordination, clinical support, or similar responsibilities.
•    Experience coordinating events, managing schedules, communicating with vendors or stakeholders, tracking expenses, processing reimbursements, maintaining records, or supporting day-to-day operations for a team or organization.
•    Demonstrated ability to balance multiple responsibilities while maintaining strong academic or work performance.
•    Interest in academic research, cancer biology, chemical biology, medicine, graduate/professional training, research administration, laboratory management, or scientific program coordination.
 

At Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, we work every day to create an innovative, caring, and inclusive environment where every patient, family, and staff member feels they belong. As relentless as we are in our mission to reduce the burden of cancer for all, we are committed to having faculty and staff who offer multifaceted experiences. Cancer knows no boundaries and when it comes to hiring the most dedicated and compassionate professionals, neither do we. If working in this kind of organization inspires you, we encourage you to apply.

Dana-Farber Cancer Institute is an equal opportunity employer and affirms the right of every qualified applicant to receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender identity or expression, national origin, sexual orientation, genetic information, disability, age, ancestry, military service, protected veteran status, or other characteristics protected by law.  

EEO Poster

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Pay Transparency Statement

The hiring range is based on market pay structures, with individual salaries determined by factors such as business needs, market conditions, internal equity, and based on the candidate’s relevant experience, skills and qualifications.

For union positions, the pay range is determined by the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA).

$47,400.00 - $51,800.00