Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research
Title: Technical Assistant II, Core (Flow Cytometry Core Facility)
Classification: Exempt; Administrative Staff
Reports To: Flow Cytometry Core Facility Manager
Overall Responsibility
The Flow Cytometry Core Facility at Whitehead Institute is excited to recruit a new member of our team.
The primary duty of the FACS Technician II of the BSL2 core cytometry facility is to
provide high quality flow cytometry service and support to the Whitehead Institute investigators and Boston research community. The FACS Technician will possess high level of proficiency on the BD FACSAria SORP in order to perform quality high-speed cell sorting. Additional duties include but are not limited to development of proficiency on core facility benchtop analyzers: the BD LSRII SORP, BD LSRFortessa with HTS, and BD FACSCanto with HTS and the SONY cell sorter. Other duties will be performed as scheduled or needed. All duties will be performed in accordance with the Whitehead Institute’s behavioral standards, safety standards, and mission.
Characteristic Duties
Cytometry Instrumentation and associated Software and Peripherals
High Speed Cell Sorter- BD FACSAria SORP and SONY cell sorter
· Perform high quality, High Speed Cell Sorting for researchers
· Perform scheduled and unscheduled maintenance, including data backup as maintenance
· Perform daily quality control and monitor instrument performance
· Troubleshoot sorter and associated software and peripherals
· Contact and interact with vendor service and FACSAria/ SONY field service engineers as needed
· Log sorter and related software and peripheral problems and report to core staff
· Enter Aria/ SONY usage into database
Benchtop Analyzers- BD LSR II SORP, BD FACSLSRFortessa HTS, BD FACSCanto HTS
· Develop and maintain proficiency with all benchtop analyzers and associated software and peripherals
· Perform scheduled and unscheduled maintenance, including data backup
· Perform quality control and monitor instrument performance
· Troubleshoot benchtop analyzers and associated software and peripherals
· Contact and interact with vendor service and FACS benchtop analyzer field service engineers as needed
· Log benchtop analyzer and related software and peripheral problems and report to core staff
Service
· Provide high quality service to researchers
· Work closely with researchers and Whitehead Institute staff to maintain good relationships
· Orient new users to the lab
· Assist researchers with their scheduling needs
· Advise researchers on basic requirements for high speed cell sorting and benchtop Cytometer usage
· Address problems immediately, if possible, log, and report to manager
Administrative
· Maintain sort appointment waiting list and notify researchers if an appointment is available
· Log lateness and failure to cancel appointments
· Approve sort appointments in Calendar system
· Notify researchers of unscheduled instrument downtime
· Assist with writing protocols and other writing as needed
· Assist with ordering of supplies and billing as needed
Operations
· Prepare reagents as needed
· Autoclave as needed
· Assist with inventory and stocking of laboratory supplies
· Maintain all work areas
Other
· Attend a minimum of one flow cytometry workshop, seminar, vendor show, or core lab visit per year
· Attend a Whitehead Institute retreat
· Become familiar with flow cytometry journals, associations, and resources
· Assist with demos and tours as needed
· Audit training sessions and provide feedback
Qualifications
· B.S. degree in biological or physical sciences or related discipline; MS degree and PhD are welcomed
· Must have 3 - 5 years of experience on the BD FACSAria SORP
· Excellent organizational, problem-solving, and communication skills
· Must be available to work flexible hours
· Must be able to work well with minimal supervision and with researchers, engineers, and institute staff in a service-oriented environment
Interested candidates should submit a resume to resumes@wi.mit.edu
