12-Sep-2023

Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health

63784BR

Job Summary

The Department of Epidemiology, at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, studies the frequency, distribution, and determinants of disease in humans, a fundamental science of public health. In addition to pursuing ground-breaking global research initiatives, we educate and prepare future medical leaders and practitioners as part of our mission to ignite positive changes in the quality of health across the world.

We are seeking a Senior Laboratory and Project Manager to join our cancer epidemiology team in the Department of Epidemiology at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. Our innovative cancer epidemiology research group is comprised of Harvard faculty, physicians, postdoctoral fellows, graduate students, biostatisticians, pathologists, and Research Assistants. The overarching goal is to use data from large cancer epidemiology studies and biospecimens from individuals in these studies (e.g., the Health Professionals Follow-up Study (https://sites.sph.harvard.edu/hpfs/ ) and the IRONMAN study (https://ironmanregistry.org/ ), as two examples) to answer research questions in cancer etiology, progression and survival, and survivorship. Our existing biorepository has thousands of biospecimens from several studies, including blood and tissue specimens. Our group collaborates closely with researchers at the Dana-Farber/Harvard Cancer as well as international researchers through collaborations. These collaborators have also expressed interest in both our existing biorepositories as well as the opportunity to create additional biorepositories for other cancer epidemiology related projects.

Working under the supervision of Dr. Lorelei Mucci, the Senior Laboratory and Project Manager will provide direct oversight and management of laboratory activities to support novel and existing biorepositories as well as the conduct of laboratory assays in diverse cancer epidemiology cohorts, including the Health Professionals Follow-up Study (HPFS), the IRONMAN study, and other cohorts.

The IRONMAN registry biorepository is centrally located in the laboratory of the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. To date, 3500 of 5000 participants have been enrolled in 16 countries globally. For each participant, there are three types of blood tubes collected, and samples are collected annually, for a current biorepository of close to 25,000 individual samples. There are several ongoing and proposed biomarker studies in the IRONMAN samples, including germline DNA GWAS analysis, metabolomics on plasma, and sequencing of circulating tumor DNA. For each of the assays, the Manager will oversee the quality control assessment, sample selection, coordination with outside laboratories, and scientific input on the biomarker evaluation. For the biospecimens themselves, this individual is the primary point of contact of study investigators at more than 100 sites to optimize collections.

For the HPFS cohort, the Manager will oversee the DNA repository for 11,000 individuals in the cohort with available DNA and work closely with the tumor tissue specimens for the HPFS. The Manager will be responsible for DNA quantification, study design and data quality assessment, communication with external laboratories for genotyping and sequencing studies, and other related efforts.

Further, for projects directed by Dr. Alberto Ascherio, the Manager will be responsible for extractions, assays, and analyses required for the “Pre-symptomatic autoantibody and viral profile of active-duty US military personnel with adult-onset type 1 diabetes” project as well as for Dr. Ascherio’s pre- and post-onset MS study.

Position Description

This individual will be responsible for the day-to-day management of all lab-based activities and will be engaged in all decisions made regarding laboratory procedures, execution of biological assays, and troubleshooting any existing laboratory policies and procedures to ensure rigor and reproducibility of the biomarker work. As part of this, the Manager will coordinate all project activities related to the laboratory and undertake quality assurance.

This position requires a high level of expertise in best laboratory practices and the organization of biorepositories and is ideal for someone who has extensive experience developing and maintaining blood and tissue registries.

Working under the very general direction of the Biorepository Director, Lorelei Mucci, the Senior Laboratory and Project Manager will perform various management responsibilities including, but not limited to, the following:

• Responsible for executing, on a daily basis, the procedural, managerial and policy decisions for the lab
• Participate in all decisions made regarding laboratory procedures and identifies modifications of existing policies and procedures
• Coordinate all project activities related to the laboratory and undertake quality assurance
• Interview, hire, supervise, train and evaluate new and current employees
• Develop and perform protocols for all services offered in the Lab
• Customize collections of specimens, DNA/RNA extraction from blood, fresh frozen tissue, paraffin embedded tissue, saliva, high sample volume prep for shipping to genotyping centers in the U.S. and internationally
• Complete documentation for numerous outside collaborators
• Set up projects with inside and outside investigators and work closely with specialists at Thermofisher Life Technologies/Qiagen/PerkinElmer reps for support
• Develop and troubleshoot new protocols for all equipment and services offered; interact and communicate with machines technical support representatives and field engineers
• Prepare and manage budget and expenses, including the submission of monthly charges and monthly activity and project reports
• Supervise 2 part-time research assistants and lead weekly lab meetings
• Use universal safety precautions and proper personal protective equipment to protect self and co-workers from biohazardous materials, including blood-borne pathogens
• Ensure compliance with biohazard/radiation safety standards through proper handling of potentially hazardous chemical and biological agents and/or radiation sources in the workplace, specifically completing annual biohazard/universal precaution safety training, as appropriate
• Other related duties as assigned

• Oversee the DNA repository for 11,000 individuals in the cohort with available DNA
• Responsible for DNA quantification, study design and data quality assessment, communication with external laboratories for genotyping and sequencing studies, and other related efforts
• Work closely with HPFS tumor tissue specimens for cancer patients within the HPFS, optimizing DNA extractions, and providing oversight of tissue-based biomarker studies

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience is required
• 5+ years of experience in relevant fields (molecular biology and/or genetics) required
• Experience in operating and maintaining delicate electronic equipment and safe use of biohazardous materials required

PLEASE NOTE: This position is primarily on-campus and this position will be based in Boston, MA. Additional details will be discussed during the interview process.

Additional Qualifications and Skills

The following job-specific skills and competencies are preferred:

• Demonstrated track record of developing and documenting experiments, protocols, and data
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office
• Strong attention to detail and work with precision
• Sound analytical and organizational skills
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
  

• Awareness of and aptitude to appropriately and effectively understand, respect, and adapt to cultural and identity-based difference within group environments
• Knowledge of and commitment to concepts and issues tied to social justice, diversity, equity, and inclusion
• Skills related to creating and supporting an environment that allows for inclusion, effective intercultural engagement, and personal humility and authenticity
• Experience fostering and reinforcing an environment that values unique experiences, cultures, backgrounds, and goals

Physical Requirements

• May be required to lift up to 15lbs.

Additional Information

Join the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health to support our mission of health research and education, and to be a part of the oldest institution of higher learning in the country!

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• The Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health does not provide visa sponsorship, now or in the future, for staff positions.
• Harvard University requires pre-employment reference checks and background screenings.
• This position has a 90 day orientation and review period. 

• Author and update the laboratory manual distributed worldwide to participating sites
• Receive blood from 2,500 participants at multiple time points (currently tracking and cataloging more than 30,000 tubes of aliquoted blood from ~ 1200 participants)
• Develop and maintain the tracking system for samples with label design and freezer purchase
• Develop a plan to become the Central United States Biorepository
• Meet regularly with lead colleagues at the Coordinating Center at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, bi-monthly meetings with Clinical Coordinators in the US and International groups and Biospecimen Working Group
• Update the training video on proper processing of blood samples in use at Centers around the world
• Develop and implement new QC laboratory assays for down the road assay on most participants, writing protocols for retrieval of samples and assay design
• Develop protocols for upcoming approved studies which require identifying potential samples, extraction of cfDNA
• Train research assistants on laboratory methods (i.e., extraction, quantification, quality)
• Prepare samples for shipment to other companies and collaborators, including the maintenance of a manifest for internal use and for external collaborating laboratories, while updating existing databases
• Prepare existing samples for long-term storage in the Harvard T.H. Chan BIOS Core

• Receive, ~5,000 serum samples from the DOD
• Extract DNA from ~ 1,800 samples and prepare for Taqman genotyping
• Write protocols for extraction methods and train research assistants
• Create ~5,000 aliquots in barcoded tubes and racks for entry into database
• Track specimens as they are prepared for long term storage in the BIOS storage facility at the Harvard Chan School of Public Health Core

• Receive ~4,000 serum samples from the DOD
• Work with Boston Children’s Hospital to prepare ~4,200 (with QC) samples for submission to their laboratory for Vitamin D and EBV testing in specified tubes/racks.
• Complete their required submission manifest
• Develop a protocol for identifying and pulling samples, organize and both track for send out in their specific tubes and racks and return of residual samples
• Create > 15K aliquots from above samples in 2D barcoded tubes and racks. Scan and create a tracking database in collaboration with the Harvard Chan School of Public Health BIOS Core

Benefits

We invite you to visit Harvard’s Total Rewards website to learn more about our outstanding benefits package, which may include:

• Paid Time Off: 3-4 weeks of accrued vacation time per year (3 weeks for support staff and 4 weeks for administrative/professional staff), 12 accrued sick days per year, 12.5 holidays plus a Winter Recess in December/January, 3 personal days per year (prorated based on date of hire), and up to 12 weeks of paid leave for new parents who are primary care givers.
• Health and Welfare: Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision benefits, disability and life insurance programs, along with voluntary benefits. Most coverage begins as of your start date.
• Work/Life and Wellness: Child and elder/adult care resources including on campus childcare centers, Employee Assistance Program, and wellness programs related to stress management, nutrition, meditation, and more.
• Retirement: University-funded retirement plan with contributions from 5% to 15% of eligible compensation, based on age and earnings with full vesting after 3 years of service.
• Tuition Assistance Program: Competitive program including $40 per class at the Harvard Extension School and reduced tuition through other participating Harvard graduate schools.
• Tuition Reimbursement: Program that provides 75% to 90% reimbursement up to $5,250 per calendar year for eligible courses taken at other accredited institutions.
• Professional Development: Programs and classes at little or no cost, including through the Harvard Center for Workplace Development and LinkedIn Learning.
• Commuting and Transportation: Various commuter options handled through the Parking Office, including discounted parking, half-priced public transportation passes and pre-tax transit passes, biking benefits, and more.
• Harvard Facilities Access, Discounts and Perks: Access to Harvard athletic and fitness facilities, libraries, campus events, credit union, and more, as well as discounts to various types of services (legal, financial, etc.) and cultural and leisure activities throughout metro-Boston.

Department Office Location

USA - MA - Boston

Job Code

RS0157 Researcher III Natural Science

Union

00 - Non Union, Exempt or Temporary

Appointment End Date

30-Sep-2024

Pre-Employment Screening

Education, Identity

Commitment to Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging

At the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, we believe that diversity is integral to the Harvard experience and our mission of improving public health education, research and policy. Diversity of cultural backgrounds, identities, lived experiences, perspectives, and ways of understanding the world enriches our community and enables us to best meet the public health needs of the United States and the world. Ongoing learning and development related to diversity allows for both individual and institutional growth, and is necessary to foster and sustain a culture of inclusion. To achieve this, we are committed to ensuring equitable access to opportunities for learning, living, and working at the Harvard Chan School. We maintain an unwavering dedication to diversity, inclusion, and belonging as core to our institutional values and to actively counter, minimize, and address racism, sexism, xenophobia, homophobia, gender bias, and all forms of discrimination.

Learn more about the School’s mission, objectives, and core values and our diversity, inclusion, and belonging initiatives.

EEO Statement

We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, gender identity, sexual orientation, pregnancy and pregnancy-related conditions, or any other characteristic protected by law.