Bench Research Laboratory Positions

The Massachusetts Biotechnology Council has dubbed MGH "the leading medical research center working in the field of biotechnology." In addition to having the largest hospital-based research program in the United States, MGH is home to four of the six largest industrial sponsorships of academic biomedical research in the country.

Thousands of physicians, scientists, engineers, nurses, and technicians work in labs throughout the MGH main campus, in the heart of Boston, and in the hospital's 400,000-square-foot research complex in Charlestown. Their drive to discover is nurtured by MGH's commitment to the highest levels of scientific inquiry and academic freedom.

The hospital's research fellows together represent some 60 countries. And MGH teams in turn travel throughout the world to provide service, conduct research, and teach.
Below is a listing of the various roles available in bench research. Please carefully read the responsibilities and requirements for each position. These descriptions will help you in finding the right fit when searching our site for available positions:

Research Technician
Carries out a variety of moderately complex laboratory procedures and techniques including but not limited to chromatography, PCR, animal surgery, histology, cell culture work and molecular biology. Operates and maintains lab equipment. May teach routine lab procedures to students and other research personnel. Assists Principal Investigator and/or other senior lab personnel in setting up advanced or very complex experiments. Works under general supervision of technologist, lab manager or principal investigator. BA/BS in life science required. No experience required.

Research Technologist
Above duties plus: work is differentiated from technician in area(s) of independent judgment, complexity of procedures and responsibility. Works under general supervision of lab manager or principal investigator. BA/BS in life science required. Minimum of 2-3 years experience required.

Senior Research Technologist
Above duties plus: Structures lab operations; prioritizes and assigns work to lower level personnel; monitors quality and quantity of work performed and sees that standards are met and maintained. Develops research methodologies within the parameters of experimental protocols and research objectives to allow quantitative and qualitative evaluation and interpretation of data obtained. Participates in the interpretation of the results of experiments through conferencing with senior lab personnel or principal investigator to review data compared to hypothesis, and researches methodology in instances of inexplicable data. Collaborates with principal investigator in writing material for publication; may present papers or appear as principal or secondary author in publications. BA/BS in life science required. MS preferred. Minimum 3-5 years laboratory experience.

Laboratory Manager
Above duties plus: Hires, trains and supervises lower level personnel typically lab assistants and secretary. Monitors grant expenditures and prepares budget analysis. Assists principal investigator in preparing annual budget. Serves as liaison between the lab and funding sources. Helps new investigators with start up needs and orients them to special laboratory techniques. Negotiates contracts with vendors in the purchase of laboratory equipment and supplies. Troubleshoots equipment/supply problems. Stays abreast of new product/equipment information and makes proposals to lab director/investigator for new equipment and products. Acts as Radiation/Safety liaison to Safety office. Duties may vary depending on the size of the laboratory. BA/BS required. MS/MA/MPH preferred. Minimum 3-5 years laboratory experience and a supervisory background required.