New fellowship for graduating seniors - Henry Russell Shaw Summer Traveling Fellowship.

The Shaw Summer Fellowships will support travel experiences that allow recipients to pursue some individual fancy or passion before committing to a job, graduate school, or career path, but will not ordinarily support experiences that seem focused on establishing or enhancing pre-professional credentials.  Awards will also be limited to students who have not yet had any significant travel experience outside the U.S. (and, for students from other countries, their home country).

Several full time research positions are available at the Massachusetts General Hospital, a Harvard affiliated teaching hospital, for graduating seniors interested in spending a year or two before continuing their education in medical or graduate school, as well as for individuals with somewhat more experience, including students with Masters Degrees. Previous holders of this type of position have had the opportunity to work on research projects and to publish scientific papers on their work, and many individuals have published first-authored papers on their work. For students with an interest in medicine, exposure to clinical medicine is encouraged. The work of our group has concerned: the assembly of data, and the development of improved mathematical methods, for predicting the outcome for cancer patients; the identification of screening schedules for reaching the maximal possible reduction in cancer death achievable by cancer screening; the application of modern computer speech and telephony for developing scheduling/reminder systems for increasing the use of preventative medical interventions such as mammography and influenza immunization. The program is a collaborative project between individuals at the Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard, and MIT, and is located in an MGH facility next to MIT in Cambridge.

These positions are available in June 2013, although we have several openings available now. Opportunities for graduating seniors wishing to work part time in the spring semester are also available.

The first position concerns the analysis of the systems that hospitals use to make medical appointments and the assembly and analysis of data on how patients are processed through the system, with the aim of improving utilization of preventive service such as cancer screening. This position also concerns managing preventive health interventions that use these systems, designing and testing the user interfaces of the systems we are buildings; creating and market testing the telephone messages our systems launch; analyzing how health systems actually manage patient recruitment and scheduling for preventive health, and measuring the impact of our systems on preventive health use and health outcome. Individuals with interests in health, human factors engineering, systems engineering, operations research, cognitive psychology, persuasion psychology, and in advertising, are encouraged to apply to these positions.

The second position concerns the refinement, implementation, and testing of a system that sends computer generated telephone reminder messages for increasing the use of breast cancer screening. Knowledge of, or ability to learn, ASP, ASP.net <http://ASP.net/> , AJAX, C#, HTML, MS SQL Server, Windows Server 2003 security, and general database and server administration is required. Skill with VXML and computer speech would also be desirable.

The third position the the assembly and analysis of data on cancer and its outcome, and development of improved mathematical methods for predicting cancer outcome. Related work concerns the development and implementation of novel mathematical methods for Web-based calculators that physicians can use for predicting the risk of cancer recurrence, as well as the development of computer simulation models of cancer progression.

The forth position concerns the analysis of medical usage and cost among cancer patients.

Please reply by email with CV or resume to:

James S. Michaelson Ph.D. 
Director
Laboratory for Quantitative Medicine 
Massachusetts General Hospital

Department of Pathology
Harvard Medical School
Departments of Pathology and Surgery
Massachusetts General Hospital

Posted: February 19, 2013

Job Description: We are looking for an enthusiastic Research Assistant with a background in neurobiology who would like to apply a wide variety of research techniques. Our laboratory investigates the neurobiology of sleep; in particular, we hope to identify the neurotransmitters and neural pathways that underlie narcolepsy and other sleep disorders. The Research Assistant will use methods including immunohistochemistry, basic molecular biology techniques, rodent surgery, and physiologic recordings of sleep. Ideally, the applicant will join our lab for 2 years.

Qualifications: BS or MS with college coursework in neurobiology, biology, and chemistry. Laboratory experience in immunohistochemistry, PCR, and research with rodents is preferred. The position is ideal for neurobiology majors who have laboratory experience and who would like to work in a lab for a couple years before entering graduate school.

Wage: dependent on experience Days/Hours: 5 days/week, 8 hours/day, with some flexibility for independent workers Start date: June 1, 2013, but flexible.

Company Description: Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center is a Harvard-affiliated teaching hospital with a long tradition of excellence in cutting-edge research. We are located in the Longwood medical area of Boston, the most active biomedical research community in the world. The BIDMC Department of Neurology performs research on a variety of topics involving neuroanatomy, neurophysiology, neural development, and neurodegeneration.

Please email your cover letter and C.V. to: Tom Scammell, M.D. Professor of Neurology

Posted: February 19, 2013

A research assistant position is available in the laboratory of Maxwell Heiman in the Division of Genetics at Children's Hospital and the Department of Genetics at Harvard Medical School. The laboratory studies how the cell shapes and connections made by neurons are encoded in the genome, using the nematode C. elegans as a simple model system.

The most critical responsibility of this position is to keep the lab well-organized and running smoothly: this includes daily maintenance of C. elegans strains and DNA reagents; ordering and inventorying lab supplies; handling issues with lab equipment, vendors, and departments within Children's Hospital; responding to material requests from other groups; and helping lab members in their research. This person will also carry out a supervised research project focused on a basic question in developmental biology -- how do cells organize themselves into complicated multicellular structures, such as epithelia and organs? This project will take advantage of the genetic tools available in C. elegans to determine how a secreted matrix-forming protein helps neurons and glia assemble into a mixed neuroglial epithelium.

Qualifications:

A strong background in cellular and molecular biology is needed, including at least one year of experience on a research project, either as an undergraduate thesis or in post-graduate work. Additional research experience is preferred. A commitment of at least two years is preferred. After-hours or weekend time will occasionally be required.

Posted: February 19, 2013

We are looking for an independent, enthusiastic, and hardworking candidate to assist with the development of a breath-based diagnostic test for pulmonary fungal diseases that affect cancer and transplant patients. If selected, you will work at the forefront of breath research, using spectroscopic techniques to identify secondary metabolites derived from over 200 fungal strains that can be used as markers of infection in the breath of affected patients. To this end, this project will require you to demonstrate a commitment to clinical as well as basic science research. You will have the opportunity to work with patients. In the lab, you will work largely with sophisticated gas-chromatographic and spectroscopic equipment to process and analyze metabolites found in in vitro cultures and in patient breath. Because the clinical and basic science aspect of this project occur in two locations, a successful candidate must be a self-starter – capable of efficiently managing his/her daily schedule, taking thorough notes and adjusting experimental protocol as necessary, and able to resolve any issues that may arise with equipment.

As a Research Assistant I, you will play a critical part in the development of this new diagnostic platform through your research while also providing support to the research unit/staff (MDs, RNs, PA-C, Research Manager, etc.) for the Infectious Disease clinical research programs, protocols, and processes. The Principal Investigator (MD) will provide direct supervision for this post.

PRINCIPAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

1)Serves as the principal lab technician and researcher: culture and process in vitro samples, collect and process samples from patients, maintain analytical instrumentation, analyze and interpret analytical data, maintain a thorough log of daily experiments and results

2)Acts as a support liaison between research collaborators and clinicians

3)Completes and maintains regulatory required documentation submitted to various ethics bodies

5)Conducts quality control (QC) on subject documentation

6)All other duties, as assigned

QUALIFICATIONS:

A successful candidate will have completed an undergraduate degree (BS/BA) by May 2013. He/she will be a well-organized, effective communicator with the ability to think creatively and critically on his/her feet. Because success with the analytical instrumentation is paramount to the success of this project, preference will be given to individuals who have prior experience with GC, MS, DMS, and other chromatographic and spectroscopic techniques. Direct experience in clinical research processes and an ability to provide a 2-year commitment to this project are ideal. This is a part-time, per-diem position starting in Spring 2013, with working hours adaptable to the candidate’s academic responsibilities, then a full-time position starting in Summer 2013.

The working conditions are that of a BL2 laboratory, major academic teaching hospital, and an energetic office/clinic with multiple concurrent research programs, protocols, and processes.

If you are interested in this position, please send a CV and a brief cover letter to Kathleen Krause,Horatio Thomas, and Dr. Sophia Koo.

Posted: February 19, 2013

Hours: Monday through Friday, 9-5

Duties and responsibilities: Individual will assist a multi-disciplinary research group, which uses advanced fluorescence microscopy techniques to study voltage dynamics in neurons, bacteria, and other live cells, as well as structural dynamics and function of single biomolecules. Responsibilities include but are not limited to: (1) basic DNA cloning, protein expression, and maintenance of primary and stable tissue culture cell lines, under the guidance of postdocs and/or graduate students if needed; (2) basic maintenance work in the wet lab, including cleaning glassware, autoclaving, purchasing general laboratory supplies and reagents, etc. and (3) attendance/participation in laboratory meetings. If the individual is interested and time allows, may perform specific scientific projects. Other duties as required.

Basic Qualifications: College background in Biochemistry, Chemistry, Neuroscience, Molecular and Cell Biology, or related discipline required.
Additional Qualifications: Bachelor's degree preferred. Two or more years of experience in related laboratory research preferred. Must be able to work independently and as part of a team, be self-motivated, and be comfortable interacting with researchers from diverse backgrounds. Should have excellent communication skills. Familiarity with common wet-lab and optical instrumentation and Microsoft Office preferred.

Additional Information: May be required to lift, move and transport related research equipment. May be required to work with a variety of hazardous materials. May be required to work with and handle animals. All formal offers will be made by FAS Human Resources. This is a one-year term position with a possibility of renewal.

Contact:
Adam E. Cohen
Depts. of Chemistry and Chemical Biology and of Physics
Harvard University
617-496-9466 (office) 646-258-9068 (cell) www.fas.harvard.edu/~aecohen

Posted: February 26, 2013

Job Description:
The Cost-Effectiveness of Preventing AIDS Complications group and the Medical Practice Evaluation Center is seeking full-time Research Assistants to work with an internationally recognized, multidisciplinary team from Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School with collaborators at the Harvard School of Public Health, Yale School of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medical College, and Brigham and Women’s Hospital as well as multiple international sites. The group uses methods of clinical epidemiology, economics, and simulation modeling to evaluate clinical outcomes, costs, and cost-effectiveness of strategies for preventing, managing, and treating HIV/AIDS as well as other diseases.
Research Assistants will work under the supervision of the Project Coordinators/Managers and the Principal Investigators on modeling projects related to HIV/AIDS, and other infectious and chronic diseases including diabetes and cardiovascular disease in the United States, Europe, and developing countries including India, South Africa, Brazil, Zimbabwe, and Côte d’Ivoire.
Example projects include:
␣ Modeling chronic disease in HIV/AIDS patients in Côte d’Ivoire
␣ Cost-effectiveness of tuberculosis diagnostics in South Africa
␣ Optimal uptake of strategies for prevention of mother to child transmission (PMTCT) in Zimbabwe
␣ Optimal HIV testing strategies in Europe
Research Assistants collaborating with our group frequently go on to pursue careers in medicine, public health, epidemiology, and health services research.

Duties and Responsibilities:
Responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following activities:
Work with investigators to conduct multiple clinical and cost-effectiveness analyses on key aspects of HIV and other disease management using a computer simulation model
Perform systematic literature reviews and synthesize relevant data
Participate in model development, refinement, and debugging
Contribute to the documentation of model inputs and update the model users guide
Maintain accounts for model simulations at multiple sites
Assist in abstract and manuscript preparation, as well as presentation of study results
Organize group meetings including setting up conference calls and taking minutes
Collaborate with Compliance Specialist to prepare Institutional Review Board (IRB)applications regarding human subjects compliance
Help prepare grant applications and related documents
Assist in preparation of slides for lectures and seminars
Provide general administrative support to the group

Qualifications:
The position requires a Bachelors degree, with a strong background and demonstrated ability in quantitative analysis. The candidate must possess superior organizational, administrative, time management and communication skills, with the ability to interact professionally at all levels.
Additional qualifications include:
Capacity to manipulate and organize large amounts of data
Proficiency with standard office software (Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint as well as internet applications) and the ability to learn new computer applications
Familiarity with other software such as Stata, SAS, Adobe, and EndNote a plus
Ability to work both independently and as part of a team, and to collaborate with team members located remotely
Intellectual independence and initiative
Interest in public health, health policy, economics, and/or medicine
Previous research experience preferred

Skills Preferred:
Exceptional quantitative and analytical skills are essential. Computer skills, as described above, are required. The candidate must have excellent English language (spoken and written) skills. Must demonstrate superior organizational, administrative, leadership and communication skills. Ability to work both independently and as part of a team essential.
Exceptional quantitative and analytical skills are essential. Computer skills, as described above, are required. The candidate must have excellent English language (spoken and written) skills. Must demonstrate superior organizational, administrative, leadership and communication skills. Ability to work both independently and as part of a team essential.

Interested candidates should apply via www.partners.org/careers/default.aspx. For more information regarding our group, please visit http://web2.research.partners.org/cepac. **Please attach a cover letter to your resume.**

Posted: February 25, 2013.

We are looking for a highly motivated and methodical research assistant. Our laboratory efforts are focused on understanding how the cardiovascular system works at the cellular and molecular level, and to leverage this knowledge to discover novel therapeutic approaches to target cardiovascular disease. We are a multidisciplinary group, and currently have an open full time position, which requires the planning, execution and analysis of cellular and molecular biology experiments designed to identify new targets for the treatment of cardiovascular pathologies. For additional information about our research group you can visit our website.

Qualifications:
• Solid quantitative biological science background, BS in biological sciences or bioengineering
• Extremely methodical and thorough approach to research
• Creative and thoughtful problem solving
• Previous laboratory experience with mammalian cell culture
• Experience in high-throughput screening is valuable
• Excellent communication skills
• Can commit to a full time two year project, beginning June 1st, 2013.

To Apply:
Please send cover letter and resume to Dr. Guillermo Garcia-Cardena

Posted: March 14, 2013

How does sleep affect memory as we age? The Center for Sleep and Cognition (CSC) is looking for a research assistant or senior thesis student to study the benefits of sleep on memory processing in healthy young and elderly subjects using high density EEG recordings. 

Skill development: Researcher will learn how to interact with participants in a research setting, how to administer behavioral exams and questionnaires, and how to collect and analyze high density EEG data, including scoring sleep stages.  

Time commitment: Approximately 5-10 hours per week.

Duration: Fall semester, with possible extension.

Location: Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Long Wood Medical Area, Boston

Course credit: Available through school. 

If you would like to find out more about the project, please email Matthew Tucker, PhD. using the form below. Attach CV if available. (posted 8/2012)