Research Assistant IV

Grade: 055 Department: Genetics FLSA Status: Non-exempt Company Description By working at Harvard University, you join a vibrant community that advances Harvard's world-changing mission in meaningful ways, inspires innovation and collaboration, and builds skills and expertise. We are dedicated to creating a diverse and welcoming environment where everyone can thrive. Why join Harvard Medical School? Harvard Medical School's mission is to nurture a diverse, inclusive community dedicated to alleviating suffering and improving health and well-being for all through excellence in teaching and learning, discovery and scholarship, and service and leadership. You’ll be at the heart of biomedical discovery, education, and innovation, working alongside world-renowned faculty and a community dedicated to improving human health. This is more than a job - it’s an opportunity to shape the future of medicine.

The Research Assistant IV will provide advanced research operations and project management support for the laboratory’s large-scale ancient DNA studies and will also be responsible for coordinating data set preparation across the wet laboratory, bioinformatics, and analyst teams, making this a unique role in the research group. There are responsibilities in three distinct areas: (1) The position is responsible for coordinating the acquisition, processing, documentation, and tracking of thousands of research samples from domestic and international collaborators. Working closely with the Principal Investigator, informatics team, and laboratory personnel, the incumbent will oversee data curation and data quality control, ensure compliance with institutional and federal regulations governing international collaborations and material exchange, facilitate communication with external partners, and support the preparation of manuscripts, reports, and special research initiatives. Manages shipping and receiving of thousands of skeletal samples per year from and to domestic and international collaborators; prepares documentation to facilitate clearance through US and foreign customs agencies. Maintains compliance with University and Federal policies regarding international collaborations and material exchange. Meticulously cross-checks new samples with inventory lists to identify and resolve any issues with collaborators. Collects, standardizes, curates and uploads sample metadata to laboratory information management system (LIMS); updates metadata as needed. Maintains organization of research sample storage room to facilitate efficient sample retrieval by laboratory technicians. Organizes and archives research-related documents, such as material transfer agreements, research agreements, export permits; perform restricted party screening to assure compliance with university requirements and government regulations. Serves as a liaison between the Primary Investigator and wet laboratory staff to coordinate project priorities, manages processing queue. (2) Responsible for curation of the laboratory’s archaeological database. This is a huge task, as the database contains almost 50,000 distinct samples and there are new releases of thousands of new samples every year. These data and their formats have to be cleaned and homogenized. Is the main person conducting data quality control of genetic data and meta data including literature research. Processes results from radiocarbon dating analysis; calibrates, formats, and uploads results to LIMS; monitors and reconciles radiocarbon dating budget and processing queue. Collates corrections to archaeological information from archaeologist collaborators and other users. (3) Responsible for sharing results with external collaborators. Serves as primary point of contact for dozens of archaeologists, anthropologists, and geneticists regarding project updates,