What are the responsibilities and job description for the Research Lab Technician II – Microbiome position at Massachusetts General Hospital?
Site: The General Hospital Corporation
Mass General Brigham relies on a wide range of professionals, including doctors, nurses, business people, tech experts, researchers, and systems analysts to advance our mission. As a not-for-profit, we support patient care, research, teaching, and community service, striving to provide exceptional care. We believe that high-performing teams drive groundbreaking medical discoveries and invite all applicants to join us and experience what it means to be part of Mass General Brigham.
Job Summary
Carries out a broad range of technically advanced research activities and procedures; evaluates conclusions and has considerable latitude to modify or devise methods and techniques as necessary to achieve desired results; typically supervises technical and sometimes administrative elements of the research unit.
Does this position require Patient Care? No
Essential Functions
Education
Bachelor's Degree Related Field of Study required
Can this role accept experience in lieu of a degree? Yes
Licenses and Credentials
Experience
Previous Research Lab Experience 1-2 years required
Knowledge, Skills And Abilities
The Xavier Lab is seeking a Research Technician to contribute to studies of the gut microbiome and its role in human health and disease. Current projects investigate the ecological and functional properties of intestinal microbial communities, mechanisms governing host–microbe interactions, and the development of experimental approaches to understand how commensal bacteria influence inflammation, metabolism, and colonization resistance.
Recent work from the lab has linked gut microbial metabolism to cholesterol and cardiovascular disease risk in the Framingham Heart Study (PMID: 38569543), revealed how microbiota-driven immune responses shape intestinal biology (PMID: 39567686), and identified microbial communities that suppress pathogenic Enterobacteriaceae colonization (PMID: 39294375). These studies combine microbial cultivation, genomics, and host biology to understand mechanisms underlying human disease.
The ideal candidate will have a strong interest in hands-on microbiology and microbiome research, particularly the cultivation and characterization of anaerobic gut bacteria. The candidate should be self-motivated, detail-oriented, and capable of troubleshooting experimental challenges independently. This position provides training in microbiology, microbial ecology, anaerobic culturing, next-generation sequencing, and host–microbe interaction research. The successful candidate will have opportunities to contribute intellectually to projects, present findings at lab meetings, and participate in manuscript preparation.
Remote Type
Onsite
Work Location
185 Cambridge Street
Scheduled Weekly Hours
40
Employee Type
Regular
Work Shift
Day (United States of America)
Pay Range
$24.28 - $39.43/Hourly
Grade
6
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.
EEO Statement
1200 The General Hospital Corporation is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religious creed, national origin, sex, age, gender identity, disability, sexual orientation, military service, genetic information, and/or other status protected under law. We will ensure that all individuals with a disability are provided a reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. To ensure reasonable accommodation for individuals protected by Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Vietnam Veteran’s Readjustment Act of 1974, and Title I of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, applicants who require accommodation in the job application process may contact Human Resources at (857)-282-7642.
Mass General Brigham Competency Framework
At Mass General Brigham, our competency framework defines what effective leadership “looks like” by specifying which behaviors are most critical for successful performance at each job level. The framework is comprised of ten competencies (half People-Focused, half Performance-Focused) and are defined by observable and measurable skills and behaviors that contribute to workplace effectiveness and career success. These competencies are used to evaluate performance, make hiring decisions, identify development needs, mobilize employees across our system, and establish a strong talent pipeline.
Mass General Brigham relies on a wide range of professionals, including doctors, nurses, business people, tech experts, researchers, and systems analysts to advance our mission. As a not-for-profit, we support patient care, research, teaching, and community service, striving to provide exceptional care. We believe that high-performing teams drive groundbreaking medical discoveries and invite all applicants to join us and experience what it means to be part of Mass General Brigham.
Job Summary
Carries out a broad range of technically advanced research activities and procedures; evaluates conclusions and has considerable latitude to modify or devise methods and techniques as necessary to achieve desired results; typically supervises technical and sometimes administrative elements of the research unit.
Does this position require Patient Care? No
Essential Functions
- Executes protocols of non-routine experiments.
- Assists PI with determining the most suitable methodology.
- Performs basic design and modification of protocols.
- Calculates, transcribes, and analyzes data.
- Prepares and presents reports.
- Organizes and summarizes acquired data using scientific and Statistical Techniques.
- Participates in the design of experiments or field work
Education
Bachelor's Degree Related Field of Study required
Can this role accept experience in lieu of a degree? Yes
Licenses and Credentials
Experience
Previous Research Lab Experience 1-2 years required
Knowledge, Skills And Abilities
- Analytical skills and ability to resolve technical problems.
- Ability to interpret acceptability of data results.
- Strong Computer skills.
- Demonstrated competence in research techniques and methodologies.
The Xavier Lab is seeking a Research Technician to contribute to studies of the gut microbiome and its role in human health and disease. Current projects investigate the ecological and functional properties of intestinal microbial communities, mechanisms governing host–microbe interactions, and the development of experimental approaches to understand how commensal bacteria influence inflammation, metabolism, and colonization resistance.
Recent work from the lab has linked gut microbial metabolism to cholesterol and cardiovascular disease risk in the Framingham Heart Study (PMID: 38569543), revealed how microbiota-driven immune responses shape intestinal biology (PMID: 39567686), and identified microbial communities that suppress pathogenic Enterobacteriaceae colonization (PMID: 39294375). These studies combine microbial cultivation, genomics, and host biology to understand mechanisms underlying human disease.
The ideal candidate will have a strong interest in hands-on microbiology and microbiome research, particularly the cultivation and characterization of anaerobic gut bacteria. The candidate should be self-motivated, detail-oriented, and capable of troubleshooting experimental challenges independently. This position provides training in microbiology, microbial ecology, anaerobic culturing, next-generation sequencing, and host–microbe interaction research. The successful candidate will have opportunities to contribute intellectually to projects, present findings at lab meetings, and participate in manuscript preparation.
Remote Type
Onsite
Work Location
185 Cambridge Street
Scheduled Weekly Hours
40
Employee Type
Regular
Work Shift
Day (United States of America)
Pay Range
$24.28 - $39.43/Hourly
Grade
6
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.
EEO Statement
1200 The General Hospital Corporation is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religious creed, national origin, sex, age, gender identity, disability, sexual orientation, military service, genetic information, and/or other status protected under law. We will ensure that all individuals with a disability are provided a reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. To ensure reasonable accommodation for individuals protected by Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Vietnam Veteran’s Readjustment Act of 1974, and Title I of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, applicants who require accommodation in the job application process may contact Human Resources at (857)-282-7642.
Mass General Brigham Competency Framework
At Mass General Brigham, our competency framework defines what effective leadership “looks like” by specifying which behaviors are most critical for successful performance at each job level. The framework is comprised of ten competencies (half People-Focused, half Performance-Focused) and are defined by observable and measurable skills and behaviors that contribute to workplace effectiveness and career success. These competencies are used to evaluate performance, make hiring decisions, identify development needs, mobilize employees across our system, and establish a strong talent pipeline.
Salary : $24 - $39