GENERAL SUMMARY/ OVERVIEW STATEMENT:

The Research Technician will be working under the direct supervision of Principal Investigator Dr. Yi-Fen Yen. In the Yen Lab, we are developing cutting-edge magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) techniques for translational research to study cancer metabolism. We have pioneered an innovative technique to image metabolism in real-time by using hyperpolarized ¹³C metabolic MRI. Until a decade ago, metabolism could only be imaged in vivo by positron emission tomography (PET) from the uptake of radioactive glucose analogs. Recent breakthroughs enabling the hyperpolarization of biologically interesting compounds containing ¹³C are revolutionizing the ways we image metabolism in vivo. Unlike PET, hyperpolarized ¹³C MRI not only detects the injected ¹³C-labeled metabolite but also the downstream products through changes in the measured spectra. This novel imaging technique can detect altered metabolic pathways early in progressing cancer tumors and can also monitor early treatment effect from metabolic re-programming of cancer. Although still a relatively young field, hyperpolarized ¹³C metabolic MRI has shown amazing promises in elucidating metabolic changes in prostate cancer, lymphoma, hepatocellular carcinoma, and glioma in animal studies and numerous clinical trials are currently being conducted in top-tier university hospitals in the world.

We have recently secured nearly $2M NIH instrumentation fund to establish a brand new hyperpolarized ¹³C MRI facility at the MGH Athinoula A. Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging. Our group is composed of scientists from several disciplines, including synthetic chemists, biochemists, MRI physicists, radiologists, and oncologists. Our research spans many areas, from synthesizing new ¹³C-labeled metabolites for studying specific metabolic pathways or diseases to hyperpolarization technical development and advanced MRI sequence designs for enhancing signals and imaging resolution. We are seeking a smart and hard-working biochemistry major (or related field) to assist in lab assays, LC-MS, NMR and the development of advanced imaging tools for early cancer detection and treatment monitoring. The Research Technician will also have the opportunity to get involved in animal and human imaging studies.

PRINCIPAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Will assist in procedures related to biochemistry, pharmacology, imaging, and data analysis
• Conduct various assays to measure biomarker levels in animal or human tissue
• Assist in utilizing liquid chromatography mass spectrometry (LC-MS) and nuclear magnetic Resonance (NMR) spectrometry for analyses of metabolites in tissue samples.
• Assist with general laboratory and imaging experiments, as well as documentation, data entry, and data analysis.
• Maintains laboratory notebook
• Understands and applies basic scientific techniques
• Sets up and prepares routine experiments as directed
• May perform independent literature searches
• Assists with organizing materials for publication or presentation

SKILLS/ABILITIES/COMPETENCIES REQUIRED:

• Ability to work independently and as a team member
• Good communication skills
• Computer literacy
• Working knowledge of clinical research protocols
• Ability to perform multiple tasks independently

EDUCATION:

• Bachelor's degree required.
  

EXPERIENCE:

• New graduates with some lab experience (via course work, internships, etc.) or those without any prior research experience will be considered for the Research Technician I position outlined above.
• Those with a minimum of 1 year of directly related work experience will be considered for a Research Technician II position.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

• Work will be performed on-site in a research laboratory setting located in the Charlestown Navy Yard.

Massachusetts General Hospital is an Affirmative Action Employer. By embracing diverse skills, perspectives and ideas, we choose to lead. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religious creed, national origin, sex, age, gender identity, disability, sexual orientation, military service, genetic information, and/or other status protected under law. We will ensure that all individuals with a disability are provided a reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment.