Job Information
Massachusetts Institute of Technology Research Support Associate 1 in Cambridge, Massachusetts
Research Support Associate 1
Job Number: 24043
Functional Area: Research - Scientific
Department: Earth, Atmospheric & Planetary Sciences
School Area: Science
Employment Type: Full-time Temporary (Hybrid)
Employment Category: Non-Exempt
Visa Sponsorship Available: No
Schedule:
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Job Description
RESEARCH SUPPORT ASSOCIATE, Earth, Atmospheric and Planetary Sciences (EAPS), to work in the area of bioinformatics as part of a larger research effort of the NSF Science & Technology Center “Chemical Currencies of a Microbial Planet.” (https://ccomp-stc.org/) The goal of the project is to use bioinformatics to understand the ecology and evolution of microbial metabolic pathways that mediate the cycling of organic carbon in the ocean, with a particular focus on organic carbon substrate degradation. The work will involve taking a comparative approach using metagenomic, phylogenomic and metabolomic data, and possibly some modeling of cellular metabolism. Responsibilities will be adapted to the skills of the applicant and evolve with the project but may include: analyzing next-gen sequencing data (i.e., PacBio, Illumina, Oxford Nanopore), phylogenetic tree assembly, creating or improving bioinformatic workflows for metagenomic or comparative genomic analyses, summarizing acquired data, and preparing material for research papers and presentations. Will also be expected to meet regularly with supervisors and engage with the broader research community where appropriate. The position offers opportunities for publication in peer-reviewed research journals and for engaging with the broader academic and research community, including at C-CoMP and at MIT. This is an ideal opportunity to explore the potential of a future career in academic research.
Job Requirements
REQUIRED: high school diploma or its equivalent; and excellent organizational, analytical, and oral and written communication skills. PREFERRED: B.S./B.A. in biology or computer science, or a related science/engineering discipline; familiarity with microbial bioinformatics; general experience with scientific programming and data analysis, using, for example, Python, R, etc.; and experience with high-performance compute clusters. No oceanographic experience is required. Job #24043-3 A hybrid schedule is available. This is a one-year position with the possibility of extension. 5/15/24