Position Summary
The Yu lab now focuses on genetics and translational genomics. Dr. Timothy Yu is a PI in the Division of Genetics and Genomics at Boston Children’s Hospital and an Associate Member of the Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard. The Yu Lab works at the intersection of genetics, neurobiology, and bioinformatics to understand the basis for rare pediatric neurologic disease and advance genomic medicine.

This position supports multiple research endeavors within the Yu Lab projects ranging from computational genomic analyses to the development of platform approaches for individualized therapy of rare neurogenetic diseases.

The Yu Lab is creating new models for the delivery of translational genomic medicine: accelerating diagnosis and treatment with rapid-turnaround genomic sequencing in the NICU, applying genome sequencing in the newborn nursery to supplement traditional screening, creating institution-wide rare disease genomics cohorts to accelerate discovery, and the Yu Lab pioneers disruptive approaches to individualized genomic medicine using antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs). The Yu Lab was responsible for creating the world’s first fully individualized medicine in 2018, using a patient-customized ASO to treat a young girl with fatal neurogenetic disease. They now have additional n=1 therapies in preclinical or clinical stages, and are working closely with the FDA to solidify this path for more patients. This position supports these research goals.

This role would be a perfect fit for someone looking to expand their clinical and wet lab skillsets and knowledge before moving on to graduate school or their next adventure.

Key Responsibilities

• Assists in basic science and translational research projects under the supervision of the project head and the lab manager. These duties Include:
  • Performing laboratory experiments, collection and accurate recording of procedures and results, ordering necessary reagents to conduct experiments and participation in joint upkeep of the lab.
  • Performing genomic analyses to evaluate genetic variants that may be disease-causing (variant analysis and curation), helps to assess potential amenability for research-based treatment, designs appropriate primer and small molecules for experiments as needed.
  • Performing a wide variety of molecular biology experiments such as DNA/RNA/protein extractions from cultured cell lines, blood and tissue samples, cell culture and development of cell lines, PCR/qPCR, western blotting, IHC etc.
  • Maintaining required equipment, lab organization and other support duties
  • Participates in the training of newly hired research study assistants, as required.
• Participation in weekly and monthly team meetings, regularly providing progress updates to larger group.
• Performs other miscellaneous administrative duties as assigned or required.

Minimum Qualifications
Education:

• Bachelor’s Degree in biology, biochemistry, neuroscience, health sciences, genomics or related fields.

Experience:

• 6+ months of prior experience working in a research laboratory highly preferred. Research experience as a technician or conducting independent research project preferred.
• Strong problem-solving abilities to quickly, appropriately, and professionally resolve issues.
• Successful candidates will be highly collaborative, adaptive, self-motivated, reliable and organized.
• Analytical skills to gather and interpret data in which the information or problems are moderately complex to complex.
• Ability to work both independently and as a team member. Actively seeks opportunities to increase skills and expertise
• Able to learn complex tasks with general instruction, and to use experience to perform a variety of new techniques
• Experience with tissue culture or animal handling (mice/vertebrates) a plus