Researcher in Biology

Tufts University

Overview

The Department of Immunology maintains research programs focusing on translational and basic research in areas relevant to human disease. The department’s goal is to become a world-class center for the study of inflammation and the targeted development of novel therapeutics for both treatment and prevention of immune-mediated diseases.

What You'll Do

We are seeking a Research Technician to support studies in T-cell immunology and autoimmunity. The lab focuses on:

  1. Generating and stabilizing regulatory T (Treg) cells from effector CD4⁺ T cells.

  2. Dissecting epigenetic and metabolic pathways that govern Treg lineage stability and fitness (e.g., OXPHOS/heme biosynthesis).

  3. Testing antigen-specific Treg therapies in mouse models of multiple sclerosis (EAE).

The position involves:

  • Primary T-cell isolation and culture

  • Differentiation assays (Treg/Th17)

  • Viral transduction and CRISPR/Cas9 perturbations

  • Multi-color flow cytometry

  • Mouse colony support and EAE studies (induction, clinical scoring, tissue processing)

  • Standard molecular biology (qPCR, cloning, Western blotting)

Additional responsibilities:

  • Keep accurate experimental records

  • Perform basic data analyses (FlowJo, GraphPad Prism; optional R/Python)

  • Maintain lab operations and regulatory compliance

  • Participate in the weekly lab Journal Club

Opportunities: Hands-on training, authorship commensurate with contribution, and growth toward increasing independence.
Commitment: A two-year appointment is preferred.

Key Responsibilities

  • Conduct bench research experiments following protocols to achieve results

  • Participate in animal experiments

  • Record results and maintain accurate experimental records

  • Perform limited data interpretation and assist with basic statistics and analysis

  • Maintain laboratory equipment and manage inventory of supplies

  • Prepare stock solutions, reagents, and other media

What We're Looking For

Basic Requirements:

  • Bachelor’s degree in Biology, Immunology, Molecular Biology, Bioengineering, or related field

  • Up to 1 year of relevant lab experience (including coursework); strong sterile technique and attention to detail

  • Comfort working with mice and willingness to perform animal procedures after training

  • Proficiency with basic molecular/biochemical techniques (pipetting, PCR, gel electrophoresis) and basic data analysis (Excel/Prism; maintaining an electronic lab notebook)

  • Strong organizational and communication skills, reliability, initiative, ability to follow SOPs precisely

  • Ability to accommodate occasional time-sensitive experiments outside standard hours

Preferred Qualifications:

  • Experience with primary T-cell isolation and culture; Treg/Th17 polarization assays

  • Mouse handling and procedures (injections, EAE induction, clinical scoring, perfusion, tissue harvest)

  • Flow cytometry (panel design, compensation, analysis in FlowJo) and/or FACS experience

  • CRISPR/Cas9 editing; lentiviral/retroviral vector cloning and transduction

  • qPCR, Western blotting, ELISA, RNA isolation; basic cloning

  • Experience with data analysis tools (GraphPad Prism; optional R/Python) and figure preparation

  • Prior exposure to IACUC/IBC protocols and BSL-2 practices

  • Interest in a two-year commitment and growth toward semi-independent project ownership

Pay Range

  • Minimum: $20.50/hour

  • Midpoint: $24.40/hour

  • Maximum: $28.30/hour

Salary is based on related experience, expertise, and internal equity; new hires can generally expect pay between the minimum and midpoint.

Apply