Site: The General Hospital Corporation

Job Summary
Summary
A full-time Research Specialist position is available at the Athinoula A. Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, Massachusetts General Hospital, under the supervision of Dr. Anastasia Yendiki. The Research Specialist will join the investigative team of the Large-Scale Imaging of Neural Circuits (LINC) project, and as such contribute to an unprecedented effort by the NIH BRAIN Initiative to produce first-ever maps of brain connections across scales (https://www.ninds.nih.gov/news-events/highlights-announcements/nih-brain-initiative-launches-projects-develop-innovative-technologies-map-brain-incredible-detail).

The LINC project brings together a multi-disciplinary group of experts from 9 institutions (Brigham and Women's Hospital, Duke University, Harvard University, Massachusetts General Hospital, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, St. Jude's Research Hospital, University College London, University of Rochester, Weill Cornell Medicine) to develop novel imaging technologies and combine them with machine learning to produce detailed wiring diagrams of the brain (https://connects.mgh.harvard.edu).

The Research Specialist will contribute to this effort by collecting and analyzing ex vivo MRI and optical microscopy images. The position offers the opportunity to participate in publications and to be part of a fast-paced research environment at the cutting edge of neuroimaging method development.

Functioning independently and under the direction of the principal investigator, performs high-level, complex scientific research experiments. On a regular basis, contributes to scientific literature, reports, journals, and presentations, and investigates, creates, and develops new methods and technologies for research advancement.

Essential Functions
-Investigates, creates, and develops new methods and technologies for research advancement.
-Contributes to scientific literature, reports, journals and presentations.
-Develops proposals and study plans, and coordinates the institutional and external reviews of these proposals.
-Responsible for supervising routine reports of laboratory studies, particularly as stipulated in material transfer agreements or corporate-sponsored research agreements, to be distributed to industry scientific counterparts and academic collaborators.
-Reports on the progress of work at weekly laboratory seminars. Semi-autonomously writes up experimental work for grant applications, book chapters, and journal publications.
-Responsible for preparing summaries of laboratory studies for meeting presentations and publications.
-Calculates, transcribes, analyzes, and prepares figures of data using advanced statistical techniques.
-Semi-autonomously identifies, interprets, and applies findings and methods from scientific literature relevant to projects.

Qualifications

Education
Master's Degree Related Field of Study required

Can this role accept experience in lieu of a degree?
No

Licenses and Credentials

Experience
Experience in an academic or laboratory research setting 3-5 years required

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
- Must be a problem solver willing to take the initiative and prioritize tasks, thereby ensuring the smooth and efficient conduct of several projects simultaneously.
- A high degree of computer literacy in order to use various spreadsheet, database, accounting and word processing programs to assist in administrative, grant proposal preparation, and research reporting activities.
- Excellent organizational skills in order to formulate, implement, and monitor a number of interrelated tasks.
- Ability to exercise discretion and good judgment in handling of sensitive and confidential information.
- Ability to work under deadline pressure and prioritize work from several sources.
- Excellent interpersonal skills for internal and external communications.

Additional Job Details (if applicable)

Role specific duties:

• Develop tissue processing and data acquisition protocols for MRI and/or optical microscopy
• Plan, monitor, and revise data acquisition schedules to meet the milestones of the project, in close coordination with the Principal Investigator
• Handle and prepare post mortem brain samples for imaging
• Perform and troubleshoot MRI and/or optical microscopy scans of post mortem brain samples
• Monitor the performance of imaging equipment and communicate with manufacturers as needed to schedule maintenance
• Write, test, and troubleshoot computer code for the analysis and visualization of the imaging data
• Assist with quality assurance, pre-processing, and annotation of imaging data
• Assist with maintaining lab documentation, software repositories, and data archives
• Assist with compiling research publications, proposals, and progress reports
• Onboard and train new research staff on data acquisition, management, and analysis

Role specific skills:

• Strong mathematical skills, as evidenced by relevant coursework. The ideal candidate will have a degree in engineering, applied math, computer science, or related field, and a demonstrated interest in neuroscience and imaging.
• Excellent organizational skills, oral and written communication skills.
• High comfort level with computers.
• Ability to work independently as well as within an integrated research team.
• Ability to prioritize multiple tasks and handle fluctuating priorities and deadlines.
• A high degree of professionalism and attention to detail.

Role specific experience:

3-5 years of prior professional experience in a biomedical imaging research lab setting, performing both data acquisition and analysis. Prior experience in MRI or optical imaging.

Supervisory responsibility:

The Research Specialist may supervise up to 4 team members at any given time, including junior technicians or interns

Working conditions:

The position involves working in MRI or optical imaging facilities with fixed post mortem brains, as well as working in a computer lab. Flexibility to perform or monitor data acquisition on evenings or weekends, depending on scheduling constraints of the respective imaging facilities, is required.

Remote Type

Onsite

Work Location

149 Thirteenth Street Building 149

Scheduled Weekly Hours

40

Employee Type

Regular

Work Shift

Day (United States of America)

Pay Range
$63,252.80 - $102,596.00/Annual

Grade
7

At Mass General Brigham, we believe in recognizing and rewarding the unique value each team member brings to our organization. Our approach to determining base pay is comprehensive, and any offer extended will take into account your skills, relevant experience if applicable, education, certifications and other essential factors. The base pay information provided offers an estimate based on the minimum job qualifications; however, it does not encompass all elements contributing to your total compensation package. In addition to competitive base pay, we offer comprehensive benefits, career advancement opportunities, differentials, premiums and bonuses as applicable and recognition programs designed to celebrate your contributions and support your professional growth. We invite you to apply, and our Talent Acquisition team will provide an overview of your potential compensation and benefits package.