Research Technician

The Reinherz Lab at Dana Farber Cancer Institute and Harvard Medical School is recruiting a research technician to focus on the mechanobiology of T cell receptors (TCRs). In particular he/she shall investigate how bond lifetime under mechanical load resulting from cell movement impacts the formation of protective effector and memory T cell subpopulations and the expression of their genomes. This work involves single cells transcriptomics, cell sorting, functional studies and detailed analysis of the repertoire of cells whose TCRs recognize the same ligand but with different functional responses. The finds shall be key to determining the small number of T cells in a broad repertoire that afford immune protection. The results shall be highly relevant to human viral infections and cancers. This area of research has the potential to revolutionize development of cytotoxic T cell vaccines to prevent viral infections including pandemic influenza as well as offering patients potential treatment for existing cancers via rational immunotherapy. The laboratory provides a rich training environment and access to cutting-edge techniques.

This position will assist scientists in performing scientific research, development and/or clinical tasks of varying complexity. In general, this position will assist in the set-up, operation and maintenance of laboratory instruments and equipment, monitoring experiments, making observations and calculating and recording results.

Located in Boston and the surrounding communities, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute brings together world renowned clinicians, innovative researchers and dedicated professionals, allies in the common mission of conquering cancer, HIV/AIDS and related diseases. Combining extremely talented people with the best technologies in a genuinely positive environment, we provide compassionate and comprehensive care to patients of all ages; we conduct research that advances treatment; we educate tomorrow's physician/researchers; we reach out to underserved members of our community; and we work with amazing partners, including other Harvard Medical School-affiliated hospitals.

We seek a self-motivated candidate with a B.S. or M.S. degree and experience in immunology or cell biology, molecular biology, and murine models to investigate fundamentals of self versus non-self discrimination germane to cancers and infectious diseases. The successful candidate will participate in projects requiring technical expertise involving live mouse handling including breeding and monitoring, flow cytometry, cell culture, PCR, molecular cloning and gel electrophoresis and harvested of T cell populations for single cell 10X experiments. Attention to detail in executing experiments is essential. Funding is for one year with extension per mutual agreement. Applications should send a CV with names of 2-3 references and their contact information.

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 groups as protected by law.