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Primary Work Address: 373 Plantation Street, Worcester, MA, 01605

About the Watson Lab

The Watson Lab at UMass Chan Medical School in Worcester, MA leads pioneering research in cancer systems-genomics by constructing tumor-like genomes in the lab to investigate chromosomal aberrations such as amplifications and deletions, as well as structural variants. Leveraging the principles of forward genetics and evolution, the lab generates aneuploid mutants from normal diploid epithelial cells to understand the origins and functions of recurrent chromosomal alterations found in human cancers. The Watson lab utilizes cell type of origin models for various cancer types to understand the tissue-specify of chromosomal alteration patterns in cancer.

By comparing these engineered genomes with genomic and transcriptomic data from human tumors, the Watson Lab seeks to uncover the functional roles—including phenotypic effects—of frequent chromosomal abnormalities, such as gains of 1q and 8q, thereby advancing our understanding of tumor biology and potential therapeutic targets.

🔗 Learn more about our work:

About the Role

We are seeking a motivated Research Technician to play a key role in supporting the daily operations of the Watson Lab. This position involves assisting with general lab management tasks, including maintaining cell lines and supporting experiments for a group of graduate students and postdocs.

The role will provide hands-on experience in tissue culture, cloning, sequencing-based applications, genomics, and functional genetics (i.e. CRISPR). This position is critical to ensuring smooth lab operations and will directly support both ongoing projects and the training environment of the lab.

What You’ll Get

• Opportunities to travel and present at conferences, when applicable.

• The chance to present projects at internal lab and departmental seminar series.

• Mentorship and training from Dr. Watson and senior lab members.

• Experience leading projects as well as supporting other ongoing studies in the lab.

• Opportunities for manuscript authorship.

• Professional development support, including guidance for pursuing graduate or medical school if interested.

• The opportunity to collaborate with peers and colleagues across campus in a highly interactive and discovery-driven environment.

What You Will Do

• Support day-to-day lab operations, including ordering supplies, maintaining cell stocks, and organizing shared resources.

• Conduct and maintain tissue culture experiments, ensuring cell lines are properly managed and documented.

• Perform DNA sequencing, RNA sequencing, and basic cloning techniques, contributing to genomics and genetics research.

• Assist with data collection and organization to support both independent and collaborative projects.

• Work closely with graduate students and postdocs, providing technical and organizational support.

• Contribute to internal meetings, presentations, and collaborative discussions, fostering a strong team environment.

• Help maintain compliance with lab safety and research protocols.

What You Bring

• A Bachelor’s degree in Biology, Molecular Biology, Genetics, or a related field.

• 0–2 years of relevant lab experience.

• Hands-on experience with basic tissue culture (required).

• Familiarity with DNA sequencing, RNA sequencing, and/or single-cell sequencing methodologies is preferred but not required.

• Additional computational/data analysis experience is a plus.

• Background or interest in tumor and cancer-related research is preferred.

• Exposure to microbiology and basic cloning techniques is a plus but not required.

Soft Skills:

• A highly collaborative approach to working with others.

• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal.

• Strong organizational skills and a socially engaged, team-oriented mindset.

Physical Requirements

Remaining in a normal seated or standing position for extended periods of time; reaching and grasping by extending hand(s) or arm(s); dexterity to manipulate objects with fingers, for example using a keyboard; communication skills using the spoken word; ability to see and hear within normal parameters; ability to move about workspace. The position requires mobility, including the ability to move materials weighing up to several pounds (such as a laptop computer or tablet). Work may involve possible exposure to malodorous vapors, low dose radiation, contamination by toxic chemicals and acids and presence of carcinogenic substances or other hazardous materials.

Persons with disabilities may be able to perform the essential duties of this position with reasonable accommodation. Requests for reasonable accommodation will be evaluated on an individual basis.

Please Note:

This job description sets forth the job’s principal duties, responsibilities, and requirements; it should not be construed as an exhaustive statement, however. Unless they begin with the word “may,” the Essential Duties and Responsibilities described above are “essential functions” of the job, as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act.

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Compensation and Benefits

Our employees are compensated from a total rewards perspective in many ways for their contributions to our mission, including competitive pay, exceptional health benefits, retirement plans, time off, and a range of recognition and wellness programs. Visit our site to learn more.

$18.40 (minimum) - $23.03 (midpoint) - $29.93 (maximum)

Pay Type:

Hourly

HHMI’s salary structure is developed based on relevant job market data. HHMI considers a candidate's education, previous experiences, knowledge, skills and abilities, as well as internal consistency when making job offers. Typically, a new hire for this position in this location is compensated between the minimum and the midpoint of the salary range.

We use to confirm the identity and employment eligibility of all new hires.