Careers in Genetics and Genetic Jobs Availability- Mass General Hospital


Job Opportunities updated November 17, 2009
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!
Postdoctoral Training Positions
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. Postdoctoral Fellow The Center for Human Genetics Research at the Massachusetts General Hospital is seeking a highly motivated post-doctoral fellow to study Mucolipidosis type IV, a lysosomal storage disorder caused by mutations in the gene encoding Mucolipin-1. Our laboratory has recently created the mouse model for MLIV therefore the project will involve handling mouse models along with tissue culture and cell biology research. Ultimately, we hope to discover effective treatments aimed at abolishing the abnormal cellular storage in this disease. Suitable candidates should hold a Ph.D. in molecular or cellular biology, neurobiology, or related discipline. The successful candidate will have the ability to work collaboratively and excellent oral and written communication skills. Experience with mouse models, tissue culture and cellular/molecular biology required. To apply, please send you curriculum vitae and contact information for three professional references to: Susan A. Slaugenhaupt Center for Human Genetic Research Massachusetts General Hospital Richard B. Simches Research Center CPZN-5254 185 Cambridge Street Boston, MA 02114 Phone: (617) 643-3091 slaugenhaupt@chgr.mgh.harvard.edu Postdoctoral Fellow (Chemical Genomics) Job Description: The Massachusetts General Hospital Center for Human Genetic Research/Harvard Medical School is seeking a highly motivated post-doctoral fellow in the area of chemical genomics and stem cell models of human disease. This is a unique opportunity for working in a fast-paced, and highly collaborative research group working at the interface of chemistry, biology, and medicine. The emphasis of the position will be on the use of reprogramming methods to generate genetically accurate models of human diseases mechanisms and the implementation of cell-based assays using high-content imaging and automated microscopy. Candidates will be required to use molecular and cell biology techniques, including maintaining and manipulate mammalian fibroblast and stem cell lines and using viral-mediated gene delivery. The position will also require familiarity with the use of genomic analysis methods, including gene expression profiling and SNP detection. Qualifications: PhD in cell biology, neurobiology, or stem cell biology or related field. Must posses familiarity with the operation of standard lab equipment, and techniques related to mammalian cell culture, fluorescence microscopy, immunocytochemistry, and molecular biology. Must have excellent computer skills and ability to perform basic quantitative analysis of large data sets. More advanced statistics or programming skills a plus. Requires effective oral and written communication skills along with meticulous laboratory technique and recording skills. Must be able to use discretion to organize workflow and to change methodologies to optimize work results and communicate effectively with all levels of staff to ensure that work supports team goals. Interested applicants should send curriculum vitae and names of three references to: Dr. Stephen Haggarty, Center for Human Genetic Research, Massachusetts General Hospital, 185 Cambridge Street, Boston, MA 02114, e-mail: haggarty@chgr.mgh.harvard.edu Post-Doctoral Fellow (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 The Center for Human Genetics Research at the Massachusetts General Hospital is seeking a highly motivated and versatile post-doctoral fellow to study trinucleotide repeat instability in Huntington’s disease. The lab employs a variety of genetic, biochemical and cell-based approaches to dissect mechanisms of repeat instability in accurate genetic models of the disease. The position offers the opportunity to work in a stimulating and highly collaborative environment at the forefront of human genetic disease research. Possible projects involve the generation of novel mouse models to test specific hypotheses of repeat instability, and the investigation of repeat instability in induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells derived from HD patients. Suitable candidates should hold a Ph.D. in genetics, neurobiology, molecular/cellular biology or related discipline. The successful candidate will have strong background training in molecular biology and mammalian cell culture, the ability to work collaboratively, and excellent oral and written communication skills. Experience with mouse embryonic stem (ES) cells including gene targeting, manipulation of large pieces of genomic DNA using BAC recombineering methodologies, mouse models, and human iPS cells/stem cells is a plus. To apply, please send you curriculum vitae and contact information for three professional references to: Dr. Vanessa Wheeler email: wheeler@helix.mgh.harvard.edu


Staff Positions
Clinical Director of Phenotyping The Autism Consortium funded study on Phenotype and Genetic Factors in Autism Spectrum Disorders, operating within the Psychiatric and Neurodevelopmental Genetics Unit in the MGH Center for Human Genetic Research, has an immediate opening for a Clinical Director of Autism Phenotyping. This is a faculty level position, with an academic appointment in the Department of Psychiatry at Harvard Medical School. The Autism Consortium (AC) is a scientific and clinical collaboration involving 11 Boston area institutions. Supported by a non-profit that is dedicated to facilitating and funding research and clinical care, the Consortium’s mission is to support a disease-based collaboration dedicated to rapidly advancing the understanding, diagnosis, and treatment of autism through collaborative research to improve the care of children and families affected by autism and related disorders. The mission of the Phenotyping Core Project is to improve diagnostic and assessment tools and improve understanding of the relationship between individual phenotype and underlying genotype. The applicant will work closely with the Principal Investigator and the Clinical Research Program Manager as part of the AC’s centralized Phenotyping Core, will participate in all AC phenotyping activities, with a focus on clinical research activities, including staff training, research report writing, and family feedback. Associated responsibilities will include daily research flow/design, family screening, data collection, data management, conference calls and meetings, manuscript preparations, and proposal activity. Principal Duties and Responsibilities: • Provide training and ongoing supervision to project staff in the administration and scoring of all standardized measures required for the core phenotype research battery, including cognitive, language and related assessments. • Provide training in the administration and scoring of ADI-R and ADOS and ensure maintenance of research reliability. • Compose research reports for study participants, summarizing the findings of the project assessment battery for affected individuals. • Provide verbal feedback to families and provide clinical referrals as needed. • Organize and lead AC ‘Journal Club’, summarizing recent empirical literature and coordinating presentations from AC members. • Carry out data extraction, analyses and reporting for presentations of phenotype data at relevant academic conferences. Qualifications: PhD level psychologist with training in related field(s) (neuropsychology, clinical psychology, developmental psychology, etc.) required. Excellent organizational, interpersonal and communication skills required. Previous supervisory experience required. Skills/Abilities/Competencies Required: Ability to work well with a team and function as a leader and team member; to make independent effective decisions, knowledge of research design; strong organizational, oral and written communications skills; strong database management and clear understanding of clinical and research data bases. At least 5 years experience with administration of ADI-R and ADOS required, as well as at least 3 years experience training others on these instruments. Interested applicants should send curriculum vitae and names of three references to: Dr. Susan Santangelo Center for Human Genetic Research Massachusetts General Hospital CPZN-6256 185 Cambridge Street Boston, MA 02114 email: ssantangelo@pngu.mgh.harvard.edu Senior Research Scientist (Biochemistry) Job Description: The Massachusetts General Hospital Center for Human Genetic Research/Harvard Medical School is seeking a highly motivated individual to developing chemical screens for targets relevant to neuropsychiatric and neurodegenerative disorders. Emphasis will be on the development of novel enzymatic assays and cell-based secondary assays and the integration of this information with structural biology. Projects will involve detailed knowledge of enzymology and protein biochemistry. Position is ideal for those interested in CNS pharmacology and drug discovery. Qualifications: a PhD in biochemistry, molecular biology, cell biology, or related field required with at least 2 years of laboratory experiences in an laboratory environment preferably working on an independent project. Must also have an in-depth understanding of the principles of enzymology and knowledge of high-throughput screening approaches. Familiarity with biophysical approaches to characterizing protein-small molecule interactions and structural biology a plus. Must have familiarity with the operation of standard lab equipment, and techniques related to mammalian cell culture, fluorescence microscopy, immunocytochemistry, and molecular biology (cloning, RT-PCR, western blotting). Must have excellent computer skills and ability to perform basic quantitative analysis of large data sets. Knowledge of programs such as Spotfire, PipelinePilot and GraphPrism would be preferred. More advanced statistics or programming skills a plus. Excellent critical thinking skills and attention to detail needed. Must be able to use sound judgment to effectively solve problems, work independently, and handle a variety of tasks. Requires effective oral and written communication skills along with meticulous laboratory technique and recording skills. Must be able to use discretion to organize workflow and to change methodologies to optimize work results and communicate effectively with all levels of staff to ensure that work supports team goals. Interested applicants should send curriculum vitae and names of three references to: Dr. Stephen Haggarty, Center for Human Genetic Research, Massachusetts General Hospital, 185 Cambridge Street, Boston, MA 02114, email: haggarty@chgr.mgh.harvard.edu Senior Research Scientist (Neural Stem Cell Biology) Job Description: The Massachusetts General Hospital Center for Human Genetic Research/Harvard Medical School is seeking a highly motivated individual to fill a Research Scientist position in the area of neural stem cell biology and neurodevelopment. The focus will be on the use of molecular techniques to characterize the effects of small-molecule probes on disease genes and pathways. In addition, the project will involve the integration of these data with results from other model organisms, including mouse and zebrafish. This is a unique opportunity for working in a fast-paced, and highly collaborative, translational research group working at the interface of chemistry, biology, and therapeutic development. Qualifications: PhD in neurobiology, molecular biology, or related field required. Must have 1-2 years experience in working with stem cells and have demonstrated expertise in the use of fluorescence microscopy, flow cytometry, cellular imaging/microscopy, and molecular biology (RT-PCR, western blotting). Additional expertise in the use of siRNA and recombinant viral vector systems would be an advantage. Prior work with small molecules and familiarity with high-throughput screening a plus. Must posses excellent computer skills and ability to perform basic quantitative analysis of large data sets. Knowledge of programs such as Spotfire, PipelinePilot and GraphPrism would be preferred. More advanced statistics or programming skills a plus. Excellent critical thinking skills and attention to detail needed. Must be able to use sound judgment to effectively solve problems, work independently, and handle a variety of tasks. Requires effective oral and written communication skills along with meticulous laboratory technique and recording skills. Must be able to use discretion to organize workflow and to change methodologies to optimize work results and communicate effectively with all levels of staff to ensure that work supports team goals. Interested applicants should send curriculum vitae and names of three references to: Dr. Stephen Haggarty, Center for Human Genetic Research, Massachusetts General Hospital, 185 Cambridge Street, Boston, MA 02114, email: haggarty@chgr.mgh.harvard.edu

Technician Positions
Research Technician II Job Description: The Massachusetts General Hospital Center for Human Genetic Research/Harvard Medical School is seeking a highly motivated individual to fill a Research Technician II position to study the molecular genetics of neurodegenerative diseases. The work involves the use of classic molecular biology techniques (cloning, DNA and RNA extraction, PCR, RT-PCR, gel analysis, western blotting), cell biology (cell culture) and broad-scale genomics approaches (gene expression microarrays, proteomics). Responsibilities will include performing molecular biology laboratory research and providing technical support for members of the lab. Qualifications: The applicant should have an interest in cellular and molecular biology with at least 2 years of laboratory experience including standard techniques, western blotting and tissue culture. The ideal candidate will possess excellent critical thinking and organizational skills, pays close attention to detail, is willing to learn, is comfortable carrying out their work independently and enjoys working in a team environment. Minimum degree and field of knowledge: BS/BA. 2 year commitment preferred. Interested candidates should submit their curriculum vitae and contact information to: Karen L. Durant-Faria kdurantfaria@partners.org Phone: (617) 643-3388 Senior Research Technologist (Chemical Genomics) Job Description: The Massachusetts General Hospital Center for Human Genetic Research/Harvard Medical School is seeking a highly motivated individual to fill a Senior Research Technologist position in the area of high-throughput screening/assay development with a focus on brain disorders. Overall the position will support the development and implementation of cell- and protein-based assays for chemical lead discovery. This is a unique opportunity for working in a fast-paced, and highly collaborative, translational research group working at the interface of chemistry, biology, and therapeutic development. The position will involve responsibility for operation of robotic liquid-handling systems, plate readers, and high-content imaging systems, as well as training group members in the use of instruments as needed. The position will also require formatting and managing a compound library to support probe development efforts. Qualifications: PhD in molecular biology, chemistry, or related field required with at least 2 years of laboratory experiences in an environment involving work with robotics, HTS, small molecule or RNAi libraries. Must posses familiarity with the operation of standard lab equipment, and techniques related to mammalian cell culture, fluorescence microscopy, and molecular biology. Must posses excellent computer skills and ability to perform basic quantitative analysis of large data sets. Knowledge of programs such as Spotfire, PipelinePilot and GraphPrism would be preferred. More advanced statistics or programming skills a plus. Excellent critical thinking skills and attention to detail needed. Must be able to use sound judgment to effectively solve problems, work independently, and handle a variety of tasks. Requires effective oral and written communication skills along with meticulous laboratory technique and recording skills. Must be able to use discretion to organize workflow and to change methodologies to optimize work results and communicate effectively with all levels of staff to ensure that work supports team goals. Interested applicants should send curriculum vitae and names of three references to: Dr. Stephen Haggarty, Center for Human Genetic Research, Massachusetts General Hospital, 185 Cambridge Street, Boston, MA 02114, email: haggarty@chgr.mgh.harvard.edu NOTICE OF FILING This notice is provided as a result of the filing of an application for permanent labor certification. Any person may provide documentary evidence bearing on the application to the Certifying Officer of the Department of Labor, Employment and Training, Foreign Labor Certification, National Processing Center, Harris Tower, 233 Peachtree St., Suite 410, Atlanta, GA 30303. Massachusetts General Hospital is filing an Application for Alien Employment Certification for the following position located in Boston, MA: Assistant in Research to independently lead autism research studies focusing on genes involved in a particular form of brain synaptic plasticity and neuronal pathways related to brain and synaptic development and functions; independently lead autism research on epidemiological factors associated with autism. Serve as a consultant to collaborate with a group that is designing a new autism data software (Query Data) by reviewing data and advise them for changing useless, inaccurate or ambiguous variables, as well as teaching autism diagnostic tools and IQ assessment tests to their software designers enabling them to have a better insight into autism and to design more accurate software. Prepare research team to ascertain future samples for genetic study focused on a given population by teaching ADI and ADOS techniques; review the lab researchers' taped interviews; check and discuss their coding scores; provide guidance regarding reliability; and teach researchers ethical issues surrounding data capture and blood sample collection. Prepare and supervise team regarding the SPSS and SAS statistical analyses for epidemiological studies of environmental risk factors for autism. Teach and supervise lab researchers regarding specialized tasks such as estimating gene location from UCSC and Aceview, and Tag SNPs selection using software such as HapMap, dbSNP, SNPper and tagger. Prepare research progress reports for ongoing proposals as well as prepare manuscripts for publication. Write grant requests to fund research on the genetic and environmental risk factors for autism. Choose appropriate tag SNPs based on quality control measures and population, prepare samples for genotyping, and order primers for selected tagSNPs. Prepare samples for genotyping, perform DNA extraction, prepare Pico Greening samples (quantification of DNA), carry out purification for low concentrated samples, prepare dilution plate based on type of platform, and carry out genotyping. Collaborate with colleagues in Autism Spectrum Disorder diagnosis; participate in family visits for ADI and ADOS diagnostic instruments; and prepare research team to ascertain future sample for genetic study focused on a given population. Independently write grant applications to acquire research funding for studies on the genetic and environmental risk factors for autism. 40/hr/wk. Salary $75,000/year. Must have MD or Ph. D. in Developmental Psychiatry, Clinical Psychiatry, Genetic Epidemiology, or Statistical Genetic. Must also have five years of experience in the same type of position or five years of experience in any post-doctoral or post-M.D. scientific or medical occupation involving research on autism and diagnosis of autism, including experience with statistical genetics, human molecular genetics, and genotyping and genetic data analysis using plink and FBAT. Contact Dr. Susan L.Santangelo, Psychiatric & Neurodevelopmental Genetics Unit, Center for Human Genetic Research, Massachusetts General Hospital,185 Cambridge Street, CPZN 6-256, Boston, MA 02114.

Job Opportunities updated November 17, 2009