Research Assistant (Islet Cell & Regenerative Biology) - Joslin Diabetes Center

Overview

The Kulkarni laboratory studies the biology and function of pancreatic islets including insulin secreting beta cells and glucagon-secreting alpha cells. The lab has recently started to work on signaling pathways that are critical for modulating beta cell biology including insulin secretion and growth. Current topics under investigation include evaluation of compounds such as small molecules and ligands that can modulate human beta cell biology. Some studies are related to generation of induced pluripotent stem cells from mouse models of type 1 and type 2 diabetes and humans with type 1 and type 2 diabetes. The studies are focused on using peripheral tissues (e.g. skin fibroblasts, blood cells and adult skeletal or adipose tissues) to generate induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells. Future studies will be focused on generating differentiated cells from these iPS cells, including pancreatic islet cells, mature skeletal muscle and adipocytes.

A Research Assistant is wanted to assist with ongoing experiments that include human beta cell culture, molecular biology techniques, flow cytometry, histology, mammalian cell culture and animal studies, and banking of human and mouse iPS cells. The assistant’s responsibilities also will include maintenance of mouse colonies and genotyping of mouse strains. Some studies will involve collaboration with other investigators, and may require some assistance and work in these collaborators’ labs that are located at the Broad Institute and in the Harvard campus.

As a health care organization, we have the responsibility to do everything in our power to care for and protect our patients, our colleagues and our communities. We require that all staff be vaccinated against influenza (flu) and COVID-19 as a condition of employment.

Responsibilities

• Participate in flow cytometry and human beta cell culture and maintenance.
• Stem cell research involving the operation of high-speed, multi-parameter cell sorters and analyzers (complex, expensive optical/electronic instruments).
• Assist other lab members (Fellows) with culturing human beta cells and tissues (e.g. skin and blood cells) including culturing, maintenance, and banking of cell lines.
• Assist lab members with mouse tissue cultures, maintenance and banking of cell lines.
• Routine culture of human beta cell liens and human islets.
• Characterization of human beta cells and human islet read outs such as secretion and protein and gene expression using immunohistochemistry, qPCR and western blotting analyses.
• Screen offspring of several mouse strains by preparation of genomic DNA and PCR or by isolation of blood cells and flow cytometry.
• Assist in placement of orders for reagents and supplies as needed, log delivery of supplies and store supplies appropriately upon delivery.
• Assist with the maintenance of lab plasmid, antibody, and animal databases.
• Assist in the isolation of cells and tissues from experimental animals, including preparation of these cells for subsequent analysis by flow cytometry or immunohistochemistry.
• Assist in the isolation of cells from human tissue samples, including preparation of these cells for subsequent analysis by flow cytometry or immunohistochemistry.
• Assist with experimental procedures involving mice, including cell transplantation and injection of soluble factors, as well as routine monitoring for health.
• Work directly with a number of researchers, assisting in design, execution, and interpretation of experiments and also will assist in training and advising other lab members in use of equipment.
• Operating and maintaining equipment, scheduling procedures, working with multiple investigators, interfacing with vendors, and preparing reagents.
• Other duties as assigned.

DISTRIBUTION OF TIME: The following is an approximate distribution of time that can change, based on the PI’s determination, depending on the results of experiments at different times of any given study.

• Schedule and conduct cell culture experiments, maintenance of cells and banking of human and mouse cells (40-50% of time; variable depending on requirements of the lab)
• Using high-speed, multi-parameter cell sorters and analyzers – comprehend and execute complicated equipment operation procedures. (5% of time)
• Assist in Training and advising other lab member in use of cell culture, cell sorters and analyzers. (5% of time)
• Assist in the genotyping of mouse strains, in the isolation of cells and tissues from experimental animals, and in experimental procedures involving mice, including cell transplantation, in vivo maturation and teratoma assays, and injection of soluble factors, as well as routine monitoring for health. (15% of time)
• Work collaboratively with lab members/investigators and staff to design experiments and evaluate research data. Requires understanding aims of various projects. (5-25% of time)
• Perform quality control testing, troubleshoot and maintain instruments and computer programs during conduct of experiments. (5% of time)
• Order materials/supplies, interface with vendors, and prepare laboratory reagents. Assist with generating reports for faculty and management (5% of time)

Qualifications

• B.A. or B.S. in Biological Sciences, Biochemistry, Chemistry, or related discipline. M.A. or M.S will also be considered.
• Previous undergraduate or post-graduate lab experience, particularly with mammalian cell culture and handling/screening of small animals will be preferred.
• Previous experience with human or mouse stem cell or iPS cell work is an advantage.
• Basic knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite and ability to navigate at a basic level within various web-based applications.
• Familiarity with basic laboratory instruments and equipment – in a laboratory setting.
• Willingness to work with animals and human tissues
• Knowledge of cell culture and molecular biology and the ability to apply this knowledge.
• Ability to follow general instructions and procedures, as provided.
• Strong organizational and communication skills (communicate clearly and effectively via verbal and written instruction).
• Attention to detail and ability to concentrate on multiple tasks
• Ability to prioritize responsibilities – through completion.
• Ability to work independently and with others in the lab - to interact respectfully with other employees, professional staff and/or external contacts.