Research Associate, Histology and Flow Cytometry Core - Sana Biotechnology

About the role

Sana Biotechnology is growing, and we are hiring new team members who believe in the potential of engineered cells as medicines, who want to challenge status quo, and who lead with the desire to work on novel ideas. As a Research Associate, you will report to the Associate Director, Flow Core. You will operate, maintain, and troubleshoot a variety of cytometers and histology equipment. You will collaborate with multiple cross-functional groups at Sana including Site Operations (SiteOps), Environmental Health and Safety (EHS), Information Technology (IT), and various research teams.

What you’ll do

• Histology Equipment Operation: Perform daily startup of histology equipment, such as microtomes, tissue processors, embedders, autostainers, and digital slide scanners, ensuring proper calibration, safety, and cleanliness.
• Flow Cytometry Instrument Operation: Perform daily startup of flow cytometry analyzers ensuring equipment performance, safety, and cleanliness.
• Instrument Maintenance and Troubleshooting: Perform routine and as-needed maintenance on flow cytometers and histology equipment. Troubleshoot and resolve issues related to instrument performance. Document maintenance and troubleshooting incidents in instrument logs.
• Instrument Service: Coordinate with vendors to schedule and complete instrument preventative maintenance and as-needed repairs. Document vendor service visits in instrument logs.
• Inventory: Monitor and replenish operational consumables for flow cytometry and histology equipment.
• Collaboration with Researchers: Assist researchers in histology and flow cytometry techniques, equipment usage, and lab protocols.

What we’re looking for

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in Histotechnology, Biology, or a related field. Certification as a histology technician or histotechnologist (HT or HTL) by the American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) or equivalent is preferred.
• Experience: Minimum of 1-2 years of experience in histology, flow cytometry or related laboratory work, preferably in a shared resource laboratory environment.
• Technical Skills: Familiarity with routine techniques (embedding, sectioning, staining, IHC) and knowledge of histology laboratory equipment. Familiarity with flow cytometry experimental workflow and knowledge of flow cytometry equipment.
• Knowledge: Understanding of cell biology, immunology, and cell surface markers.
• Attention to Detail: Strong organizational and analytical skills with the ability to monitor multiple instruments and maintain accurate records.
• Communication Skills: Ability to effectively communicate with lab staff, researchers, and other stakeholders/collaborators, both verbally and in writing, in a collaborative environment.
• Physical Requirements: Ability to work with lab equipment and perform tasks that require fine motor skills, such as cutting thin tissue sections, pipetting, and performing microscopy.

What will separate you from the crowd

• Strong proficiency in histology techniques such as embedding and sectioning.
• Experience performing electrostatic cell sorting.

What you should know 

• The full-time position will be in Cambridge, MA, with full-time on-site work required
• The base pay range for this position at commencement of employment is expected to be between $75,000 – $90,000/year; however, base pay offered may vary depending on multiple individualized factors, including market location, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience

How we work together for patients

• Lead from every seat – we seek to understand, act with honesty, and engage in the crucial conversations
• Thrive as a team – we hire amazing people, are intensely curious, and cultivate inclusion and personal connectivity
• Make it happen – we value vigorous debate, alignment around our decisions, and resilient execution 

Get to know us

At Sana, we believe that a diverse workforce strengthens us as a company and helps us to achieve our mission to meaningfully change the outcome of many human diseases. This belief is a pillar of our business and is critical to our success. Our goal is that Sana is the place for talented people to bring their authentic selves to work, to have a great career and to deeply, positively impact patients.

Core to our values, we believe there is nothing more important than the health and wellness of you and your family. For benefit eligible employees, we cover 100% of the cost for employee health coverage and offer generous time-off (various paid time off benefits, such as holidays, vacation, sick time, and parental leave), short- and long-term disability, employer paid basic life insurance, additional voluntary life insurance protection, financial wellness programs including financial planning resources, a 401(k) Plan with an immediately vested employer match, Tuition Reimbursement and Student Loan Repayment, Employee Stock Purchase Plan, commuter subsidy and a variety of wellness offerings to support each person individually.  For more details on our benefits, visit Sana’s Benefits Portal.

We are committed to providing a workplace free of discrimination and harassment based on race, color, religion, age, gender, national origin, ancestry, physical or mental or sensory disability (including the use of a trained guide dog or service animal by a person with a disability), genetic information, actual or perceived HIV or Hepatitis C infection, medical condition (cancer or a record or history of cancer and genetic characteristics), marital status, sexual orientation, sexual preference, pregnancy (including childbirth and related medical conditions), disability, veteran status, political ideology, social class (including caste/caste identity), taking or requesting statutorily protected leave, status as a victim of domestic violence, sexual assault or stalking, or any other basis prohibited by applicable law.

To perform this job successfully, you must be able to perform each job responsibility satisfactorily. The job description listed above is representative of the knowledge, skills, and/or abilities required for this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the functions described above.