Research Technician - Walter Lab

Primary Work Address:
Dept. of Genetics, Boston, MA, 02115

Current HHMI Employees,  to apply via your Workday account.

The Walter Laboratory ((Use the "Apply for this Job" box below).) at Harvard Medical School and the Howard Hughes Medical Institute in Boston is seeking a highly motivated Research Technician to support our efforts to study genome maintenance and how defects in this process cause cancer and other human diseases. The laboratory uses a powerful biochemical system derived from frog eggs as a model to study mechanisms of DNA replication and DNA repair.

We use molecular biology, biochemistry, single molecule imaging, and we have enhanced these efforts using large‑scale structure prediction using Alpha Fold (predictomes.org). The Walter lab is a welcoming community where all members actively work together to understand how cells maintain their genomes in health and disease.

Under supervision from a post‑doctoral fellow or graduate student, the Research Technician will pursue a project involving a wide range of techniques including setting up in‑vitro biochemical reactions using frog egg extracts, molecular biology, and structure prediction. In conducting their research, technicians will design, carry out, interpret, record, and present experiments. Our technicians are encouraged to take intellectual ownership of their projects.

They present at lab meetings and journal clubs, contribute to manuscripts, and sometimes attend scientific conferences. ~50% of time will be dedicated to research, with the remaining time spent on activities that support the entire laboratory.

• Please submit a current CV that includes your GPA clearly listed at the top of the document and names of three references.
• If you have an unofficial transcript readily available, please feel free to share it on your application.

• A competitive compensation package, with comprehensive health and welfare benefits.
• Preparation for graduate or medical school through hands‑on research exposure, close mentorship, and structured professional development opportunities.
• Opportunities to contribute to scientific publications and gain experience in collaborative research.
• Networking and professional growth, including the opportunity to build strong interpersonal skills while working closely with investigators, postdocs, and interdisciplinary research teams.

• Carry out a scientific project under the direction of a postdoctoral fellow or doctoral student. Design, execute, interpret, record, and present experiments. Use software applications to interpret and present data.
• Read and interpret literature applicable to research areas.
• Participate actively in the scope and direction of research projects.
• Manage day‑to‑day activity and organization within the laboratory.
• Order chemicals, reagents, and other laboratory supplies.
• Renew and amend lab permits.
• Maintain laboratory equipment.
• Maintain laboratory website.
• Serve as laboratory safety and radiation safety representative.

• Bachelor or Master of Science degree in an appropriate field such as Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, Biophysics, or Chemistry.
• Some prior Molecular Biology experience (including coursework) is required.
• Prior experience in a leadership activity.
• Research Technician II candidates must have a minimum of two additional years of full‑time research experience.
• Actively seeks opportunities to increase skills and expertise.
• Able to learn complex tasks with instruction.
• Able to learn and perform a variety of new techniques.

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,…