Research Technician, Catherine Othieno Sempa Memorial Post-Baccalaureate Fellowship

GENERAL SUMMARY/ OVERVIEW STATEMENT:

The Ragon Institute is a highly unique, innovative, and collaborative research center at the forefront of biomedical science. Founded by Massachusetts General Hospital, MIT, and Harvard, the Ragon vision is a bold one: to harness the power of the immune system to prevent and cure human disease on a global scale. This vision is pursued and advanced every day by a group of highly motivated individuals. The Ragon Institute, at every level, depends upon collaboration, compassion, dedication, and innovation. It is a results-oriented organization that seeks people who not only embrace these values but who thrive in teams and want to work in a dynamic environment.

The Ragon Institute established the Catherine Othieno Sempa Memorial post-baccalaureate fellowship program in the summer of 2025. The purpose of this program is to invite recent college graduates from underrepresented backgrounds interested in pursuing a Ph.D. or M.D./Ph.D. to experience scientific research in an institutional setting. This program is currently limited to students from HBCUs or minority-serving institutions. Here are some features of the Ragon program:

• Fellowship recipients will serve as entry-level research technicians for two years.
• In addition to compensation commensurate with the Research Technician role, awardees will receive a one-time relocation payment of $3,000 funded by the Institute.
• Along with gaining lab-based experience via the principal duties and responsibilities listed below, fellowship awardees will meet regularly with their mentor (hosting lab PI or delegated post-doctoral fellow). They will also receive training in scientific communication and writing, assistance with graduate school preparation, attend seminars and workshops, and visit neighboring institutions.

PRINCIPAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Prepares basic solutions and performs base-level procedures as assigned (i.e. - pipetting, cell and tissue culture, etc.)
• Maintains laboratory notebook
• Understands and applies basic scientific techniques
• Conducts analysis of results and may begin interpretation of results
• Sets up and prepares routine experiments as directed
• Prepares lab reagents, chemicals, instruments and equipment
• May perform independent literature searches
• Assists with organizing materials for publication or presentation
• Maintains and orders supplies
• Participates in activities outside of the lab associated with the post-baccalaureate program

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 from an HBCU or minority-serving institution, our partners in this fellowship program, are 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

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.