Research Assistant I, Inner Ear Biology Research (Full Time)
- Full-Time
- Boston, MA
- Mass. Eye And Ear (MEE)
- Posted 2 years ago – Accepting applications
Research Assistant I, Inner Ear Biology Research (Full Time)
- (3188233)
Inner Ear Biology Research Assistant 1
Full Time 40 hours per week with benefits, Hours are flexible. May vary depending on experiment for the day. May include evening and weekend hours.
Massachusetts Eye and Ear is a specialty hospital, which focuses on ophthalmology (eye), otolaryngology (ear/nose/throat), and related medicine and research. It is the primary teaching hospital for Harvard Medical School in ophthalmology and otolaryngology, and ranked one of the world’s leading sites for clinical and basic molecular research in these fields. The Tillotson Cell Biology Unit within the Eaton Peabody Laboratories focuses on the study of inner ear biology with the goal of understanding and treating disorders of imbalance and deafness.
Summary
One of the biggest challenges in auditory neuroscience is our innate [as mammals] inability to regenerate lost neurons and hair cells—the sensory cells in our inner ear/cochleae that convert the mechanical energy of sound to electrical signal. The loss of hair cells is the major cause of deafness, which affects the entire population, from children to elderly. Dormant stem cells have identified in the inner ear that have the capacity to become hair cells and regenerate hearing, and we are studying the biological mechanisms which are involved in both the growth of these stem cells and their differentiation to hair cells as a treatment for hearing loss.
We study this process using inner ear, mouse-derived “organoids” which are stem cells grown in culture and induced to differentiate. These “mini cochleas” recapitulate much of the developmental processes involved in this stem cell to hair cell fate decision. We use this organoid system to study pathways which may be important, using drug genetic manipulation. Capitalizing on the molecular biology and inner ear expertise of the lab, we will evaluate novel genetic pathways which may potentiate hair cell development.
Role Details
This is a research assistant position specially designed for individuals with strong interest in the sciences and medicine to develop basic research training in a clinically relevant field (hearing) that has a strong translational bench-to-bedside potential.
The research will be based in the Massachusetts Eye and Ear Otolaryngology Department, in the Laboratory of Albert Edge. As a research assistant, he/she will actively participate in techniques involving molecular biology, CRISPR-Cas9 technology, drug screening, genetic mouse studies and translational in vivo experiments. This will involve mice cage management, mice cochlear dissections and culture, cell culture biology, genetic cloning strategies, PCR and confocal microscopy. The goal of the training period is to advance, in a graded fashion, toward independent research role, carrying out projects and experiments alone with supervision. In this manner, the goal is to transition the student from training phase to being able to design and execute new projects, and in the process develop a small niche of independent work, which can go toward a thesis project or equivalent. The research assistant will be an integral member of the team in the design, implementation of the experiments and interpretation of data results. Part of the training experience will involve lab meetings with the larger research group, and weekly seminars held through the Eaton Peabody Laboratories. This project is an exciting opportunity to learn and develop a diverse and marketable skillset but moreover to really achieve an advanced understanding and competency in basic cellular biology and the principles of research methodology.
Research Assistant Duties
- Design, perform and troubleshoot basic molecular biology experiments (cloning, PCR, genotyping, cell culture)
- Manage mice cages, including maintenance of breeding cages
- Learn and undertake imaging of samples using confocal microscopy
- Perform Auditory Brainstem Response (ABR) testing of hearing in mice
- Lead in the coordination of adult mice experiments, from hearing assessment to surgery to post-surgical monitoring
- Collaborate and work efficiently with members of the lab
- Help develop new scientific tools and techniques relevant to the ear
- Help organize and maintain general lab supplies of reagents, plates, media, etc.
- Help organize plasmid, stocks and cell lines to ensure proper cataloging of experiments
- Performing other duties as needed
Qualifications
- Strong curiosity and interest in basic research
- Strong interpersonal and communication skills
- Ability to self-direct, self-teach and complete projects
- Basic computer skills (Excel, Word, Data analysis, Benchling)
- Interest in working with wet lab and comfort with handling research mice
- Maintain excellent note-taking ability and attention to details.
- Career interest in health and sciences, preferred