RESEARCH SPECIALIST III, School of Medicine, Neurology

Tracking Code23500606290926Job Description

Oversees multiple tissue biorepositories and related laboratory and research materials, activities, and data. Assists senior level management in planning and developing specimen inventory management databases designed to meet programs current and future needs.

Organizes and supervises tracking of all brain bank specimen, diagnostic and research materials produced, ongoing research activities and associated informal data inquiries. Provides oversight of equipment integrity and laboratory instruments, and equipment and chemical inventories. Recommends and collaborates with senior management on purchasing new equipment.

Conducts internal audits and reconciles case inventory with clinical research study coordinators on quarterly basis for control measures. Prepares regulatory documentation for research compliance.

Handles multiple projects within a fast-paced environment and is open to constant challenge and change. Coordinates neuropathology teams work efforts and laboratories workflow to meet aims and deadlines of the program.

Establishes goal dates and sets work priorities for brain banking staff and histology laboratory staff for completion of neuropathological case workup.

Collaborates with multiple clinical and neuropathological research specialists, family relations specialists, and neuropathologists to ensure all case assignments and materials (neuropathological and clinical workups, REDCap entries, photographs, etc.) are complete for presentation at biweekly, monthly, and quarterly consensus conferences.

Reviews and evaluates documents, reports, and/or applications for omissions and inconsistencies, and ensures data is complete and accurate. Provides laboratory training to scientific and technical staff for proper histology procedures, protocols, laboratory safety, and documentation practices. Develops new training products and modifies existing products based on advances in the scientific fields.

Teaches and instructs technicians on neuroanatomical and immunocytochemical, enzyme histochemical, immunofluorescence analysis protocols, and microscopic image analysis. Designs and facilitates research studies and provides technical assistance to investigators (frozen/fixed specimen, formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissue blocks, stained and unstained microscope slides, etc.).

Provides consultation to collaborating laboratories. Ensures laboratory safety and research compliance. Ensures that all research activities and research laboratories meet the guidelines established by Boston University as well as outside regulatory agencies (OSHA, NRG, HHS, OPRR, VA, VA R&D). These include fire and occupational safety, biohazardous precautions, radiation safety, and chemical hazards and use. Plans, presents, and implements safety programs for staff.

Required Skills

• A bachelor's degree or equivalent in neuroscience or a related field with a minimum of 5-8 years of related experience
• Must be organized, resourceful, and able to work efficiently and independently without direct supervision
• Excellent attention to detail and demonstrated ability to correspond and manage data via Microsoft Office Suite, REDCap, and various Laboratory Information Management Systems (LIMS) for word processing, communications, data manipulation, and data storage aspects of responsibilities
• The individual will be exposed to and be required to deal with highly confidential and sensitive material and must always adhere to compliance policies.
• This position requires handling human tissue (including blood, CSF, brain, and eyes) and use of chemical solutions (including formaldehyde-based solutions, among other)

Please note all newly hired staff and faculty will need to be in compliance with Boston University’s COVID-19 Vaccination and Booster Requirement within 30 days of date of hire. You must upload your vaccine documentation or request a medical or religious exemption (instructions). For further information on the University’s response to COVID-19, please visit the COVID-19 Resources site.

We are an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, natural or protective hairstyle, religion, sex, age, national origin, physical or mental disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, military service, pregnancy or pregnancy-related condition, or because of marital, parental, or veteran status. We are a VEVRAA Federal Contractor.

Job LocationBOSTON, Massachusetts, United StatesPosition TypePart-Time