Research Associate - Open Rank
Minimum Salary
US-MA-Worcester
Job Location
12 hours ago(3/5/2026 10:57 AM)
| Requisition Number |
2026-49432
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# of Openings |
1
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Posted Date |
Day
|
Shift |
Exempt
|
Exempt/Non-Exempt Status |
Non Union Position -W60- Non Unit Professional
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Position Type |
Full-Time
|
Min |
USD $40,000.00/Yr.
|
Max |
USD $73,000.00/Yr.
|
Overview
POSITION SUMMARY:
Under the direction of Principal Investigator Dr. Jennifer Adair or designee, the Research Associate provides operational and scientific support to the Adair Laboratory at the University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School.
The Adair Lab is a translational gene and cell therapy laboratory committed to developing clinically meaningful therapies for a broad spectrum of diseases, including inherited disorders, infectious diseases, and malignancies. We are a collaborative, inclusive, and diverse team united by a shared mission to move promising science from bench to bedside.
This position is an excellent opportunity for a motivated individual with career goals in graduate or professional school, or in the biotechnology or pharmaceutical industry, within the next 3-5 years.
This is an open-rank posting (there are 4 levels of Research Associate) - candidates will be hired into the level commensurate with their experience.
Responsibilities
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: Research Associate I:
Research Associate II: Duties noted above plus:
- May assist with the training of new lab personnel.
- Provide support with drafting standard operation procedures in compliance to EHS regulation specific for the lab.
- May assist with drafting manuscript sessions.
Research Associate III: Duties noted above plus:
- Perform complex laboratory experiments and may be responsible for one or more independent research projects.
- Perform in-depth data analysis and/or mathematical computations.
- Compile and analyze data and present it in a format suitable for publication according to PI specifications.
- May oversee laboratory supply levels and order as needed; negotiate with suppliers to optimize available resources.
- Monitor laboratory equipment service contracts and monitor maintenance on laboratory equipment.
- May manage general operations of the laboratory, including lab personnel, procedures, and projects.
- May create new protocols and/or modify defined protocols, as necessary, and with the approval of the PI.
- Prioritize and perform several tasks or procedures simultaneously with attention to detail.
- Perform duties and experiments with independence.
- Provide training of new lab personnel.
- May monitor laboratory spending in accordance with budget guidelines provided by PI or designee.
- May assist with budget and/or operational aspects of grant and contract funding.
Research Associate IV: Duties noted above plus:
- This position will contribute significantly to the management of the research program and will be involved in multiple aspects of the research projects and lab maintenance activities.
- Independently design and perform multiple complex laboratory experiments.
- Interpret data, form conclusions, and decide on next steps with a high degree of independence.
- Maintain laboratory supply levels and order as noted.
- Manage laboratory equipment service contracts and coordinate maintenance on laboratory equipment.
- Monitor and enforce all safety regulations and infection control standards.
- Identify and write standard operation procedures in compliance to EHS regulation specific for the lab
- Train on IACUC, EHS, Radiation safety protocols
- Manage daily operations of the laboratory, including lab personnel, procedures, and projects.
- Identify problems and challenges, propose resolutions, implement appropriate solutions.
- Develop and implement new protocols and/or modify defined protocols, as necessary, and with the approval of the PI
- Mentor and train lab personnel on proper lab conduct and techniques.
- Manage laboratory spending in accordance with budget guidelines provided by PI or designee.
- Assist with budget and/or operational aspects of grant and contract proposals.
- Negotiate with vendors to optimize available resources.
- Contribute independently to writing sections for manuscripts and grants.
- Direct the activities of research support staff.
- Perform other duties as required.
Qualifications
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS: Research Associate I
- Bachelor's degree in Biological or Natural Science, or equivalent experience
- Basic understanding of lab safety and protocols
- Knowledge of Microsoft Office products
- Ability to analyze data in a quantitative and objective manner.
- Ability to work in a team environment.
Research Associate II
- Requirements noted for RA I plus:
- 18 months of relevant research experience with a Bachelor's Degree in Biological or Natural Science or 0 years with a related Master's Degree.
Research Associate III
- Requirements noted for RA I plus:
- 3+ years of relevant research experience with a Bachelor's Degree in Biological or Natural Science or 1 year relevant research experience with a related Master's Degree
Research Associate IV
- Requirements noted for RA I plus:
- 5+ years of relevant research experience with a Bachelor's Degree in Biological or Natural Science or 3+ years relevant research experience with a related Master's degree.
Additional Information
Preferred minimum of 2 years of relevant laboratory research experience; or a Master's degree with relevant research experience
*Demonstrated experience in cell and/or molecular biology techniques, and/or animal studies
*Strong organizational skills and commitment to meticulous record-keeping
*Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced research environment
*Experience with mouse husbandry and in vivo experimental procedures
*Experience handling human blood products or primary human cells
*Proficiency with flow cytometry (operation, panel design, and data analysis)
*Familiarity with gene therapy or hematopoietic stem cell biology
*Prior exposure to Good Laboratory Practices and regulatory research environments
*Demonstrated interest in pursuing graduate, medical, or professional school, or a career in the biotechnology sector
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