The Kulkarni laboratory studies the biology and function of pancreatic islets including insulin secreting beta cells and glucagon-secreting alpha cells. The lab has recently started to work on signaling pathways that are critical for modulating beta cell biology including insulin secretion and growth. Current topics under investigation include evaluation of compounds such as small molecules and ligands that can modulate human beta cell biology. Some studies are related to generation of induced pluripotent stem cells from mouse models of type 1 and type 2 diabetes and humans with type 1 and type 2 diabetes. The studies are focused on using peripheral tissues (e.g. skin fibroblasts, blood cells and adult skeletal or adipose tissues) to generate induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells. Future studies will be focused on generating differentiated cells from these iPS cells, including pancreatic islet cells, mature skeletal muscle and adipocytes.
The Research Assistant will be primarily responsible for assisting in experiments and procedures conducted in the Core to produce beta like cells and other metabolic associated cell types from human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSC) or embryonic stem (ES) cells. The role of this position is to contribute with advanced laboratory skills and biological expertise such as ES/hiPSC cultures, ES/hiPSC differentiation, cell sorting, fluorescence-based cell imaging, gene editing and molecular biology, in vitro function assays and research animal handling skills as part of the iPS Core service.
As a health care organization, we have the responsibility to do everything in our power to care for and protect our patients, our colleagues and our communities. We require that all staff be vaccinated against influenza (flu) and COVID-19 as a condition of employment.
Responsibilities Perform ES/hiPSC cultures and cryopreservationPerform ES/hiPSC differentiation cultures to beta-like cells and metabolic and other types of cellsPrepare a variety of specialized cell culture media and reagentsMaintain and monitor cryo-storage of cell line stocks and tracking usagesPerform experiments of molecular and cell biology such as DNA extraction, PCR, DNA sequencing and analysis for hiPSC gene editing, genotyping, and a single cell cloning and clonal expansion of gene edited hiPSCsPerform experiments of immunocytochemistry for stem cells and cell lineage marker expression by fluorescence-based cell labeling, western blotting and RT-PCRAssist in flow cytometry and cell imaging documentation and analysisPerform experimental procedures involving research animals such mice, including cell transplantation, and isolation of cells and tissues from experimental animals and preparation of these cells for subsequent analysis by flow cytometry, immunohistochemistry, protein expression (western blotting) and gene expression (RT-PCR) and functional analysisAssist senior core staff members in design, execution of experiments, data entry and analyses of datasetsMaintain reagent stocks and laboratory suppliesAssist in tracking reagents and laboratory supply inventory and placement of orders as neededOperating and maintaining equipment in ordersFlexibility for other cell culture and bench duties as assigned. Qualifications B.A. or B.S. in Biological Sciences, Biochemistry, Life Science, or related discipline. M.A. or M.S will also be consideredPrevious undergraduate or post-graduate lab experience, particularly with mammalian cell culture, molecular biology, and handling of small animals will be preferred.Previous experience with human or mouse stem cell or iPS cell work is an advantage.Willingness to work with animals and human tissuesKnowledge of cell culture, molecular and cell biology and theability to apply this knowledge.Strong organizational skills and ability to prioritize responsibilities and follow tasks through to completion.Ability to work with others as a team in a productive manner.Ability to assemble datasets for presentations and documents. Joslin is an Equal Opportunity Employer of Minority/Female/Individuals with Disabilities/Protected Veterans. Joslin values diversity and inclusion, and we encourage diversity applicants.Joslin Diabetes Center is an Equal Opportunity Employer and it is the policy of Joslin to prohibit discrimination of any type and to afford equal employment opportunities to employees, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, genetic information, marital/parental status, disability status, protected veteran status or any other status protected by law. We comply with the laws and regulations set forth by the U.S. Department of Labor: EEO is the Law and EEO is the Law Supplement.
ACCOMMODATIONS FOR APPLICANTS WITH DISABILITIES Joslin Diabetes Center is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to a diverse workforce. In order to ensure reasonable accommodation for individuals protected by Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Vietnam Veterans’ Readjustment Act of 1974, and Title I of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, applicants that require accommodation in the job application process may contact (617) 309-2595 for assistance.