We are currently seeking an enthusiastic and motivated Research Assistant to join the 3D Organ Engineering (3DOE) Initiative, co-led by professors Jennifer Lewis and Chris Chen. You will work on a new project focused on fabricating engineered adipose tissue for transplantation. Reporting to the Senior Staff Scientist in the 3DOE initiative and with technical guidance from the research team, you will manage cell cultures, work with bioreactors, assist in developing new protocols for cell isolation from clinical samples, assist with bioprinting and perform histology and microscopy. This role provides a great opportunity to learn new skills and contribute intellectually to an exciting new project with real commercial application. You may also have the unique opportunity to transition into a newly formed start-up company. [61414BR]

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We are looking for an experienced, creative, and entrepreneurial-minded Engineer to help optimize and streamline biofabrication efforts central to the advancement and pre-clinical validation of a therapeutic program that is close to commercialization. In this role, you will make significant contributions to the team’s efforts to develop a robust preclinical data package that will be used as the basis for a commercialization end-point, likely the spin-out of a new company. Reporting to a Senior Scientist, and collaborating closely with cross-functional team members and Faculty, you will quickly learn important biofabrication techniques that will support the exciting preclinical data package for this therapeutic asset. After coming up to speed and making important scientific contributions, you may have the opportunity to become a member of an exciting new company based on this asset and technology. [61574BR]

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About the Wyss:

The mission of the Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering at Harvard University is to transform human healthcare and the environment by emulating the way nature builds. Developed as an alliance between Harvard and other premier academic and clinical partner institutions, Institute faculty and staff collaborate in high-risk, fundamental research and science-driven technology development. A major focus of the Institute is to translate the technologies developed by its faculty and staff into commercial products and therapies through collaborations with clinical investigators and establishment of corporate alliances. For more information, discover our technologies, catch up on our recent news, or watch our latest videos.

Role Description:

The Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering at Harvard University seeks a talented Postdoctoral Fellow who is an engineer interested in biology research, or a biologist looking for engineering applications to join our Kidney team. Led by Jennifer Lewis and with technical guidance from the multidisciplinary bioprinting research team, you will work to complete independent and team research projects involving 3D bioprinting using stem-cell derived human kidney organoids. The work will focus on building from organ-on-chip platforms to more functional organ-level tissues. Projects in our lab typically span multiple disciplines, so we welcome applicants from many backgrounds. Successful applicants typically have some level of hands-on experience designing and fabricating devices or have strong background in relevant biological assays.

In This Role You Will:

• Complete independent and team research projects involving 3D bioprinting using stem-cell derived human kidney organoids
• Focus on building from organ-on-chip platforms to more functional organ-level tissues
• Participate in writing research proposals, reports, patent applications, presentations, and publications, providing critical data, figures or information for grant and patent submissions

What You’ll Need:

• Ph.D. in biology, microbiology, biomedical engineering, chemical engineering, materials science, electrical engineering, mechanical engineering or a related discipline.
• Must demonstrate broad theoretical and practical knowledge within the fields of mechanical engineering, tissue engineering, or cell biology.
• Strong scientific track record demonstrating well-organized design and execution of studies.
• Ability to work independently as well as in a collaborative team environment.
• Strong work ethic, communication skills and team-player oriented personality.

Preferred:

We are looking for a candidate with strong expertise in a few of the following areas, and a willingness to learn new skills outside of your current discipline to accomplish project goals. It would be terrific if you have experience in all of them, but this is not necessary, we can teach you what you don’t know.

• Strong understanding of cell biology, physiology, and/or tissue engineering.
• Cell culture experience.
• Experience with in vitro analytical techniques to assess the cell viability of tissue constructs.
• Experience with microfluidics.
• Experience working with induced pluripotent stem cells.
• 3D printing experience.
• Experience with flow cytometry, ELISAs, PCR, or confocal microscopy.
• Experience with vascularizing tissue.
• Experience with animal implantation experiments.

Benefits and Perks:

• Medical/Dental/Vision: We offer a variety of excellent medical, dental, & vision plans. All coverage begins as of your start date.
• Time Off: 20 days of vacation per year plus Harvard Holidays
• Tuition Assistance Program: Competitive tuition assistance program, classes at the Harvard Extension School and discounted options through participating Harvard grad schools.
• Transportation: Harvard offers a 50% discounted MBTA pass as well as additional options to assist employees in their daily commute.
• Wellness Options: Harvard offers programs and classes at little or no cost, including stress management, nutrition, meditation, and complimentary health services.

Where You Can Apply:

Please assemble your application as a single PDF file, this should contain a complete resume, cover letter describing research interests and goals, full list of publications, copies of up to three relevant scientific papers, as well as the names and contact information of three references (expected to provide letters of recommendation). Applications should be sent to Jennifer Lewis at jalewis@seas.harvard.edu and Scott Slimmer at slimmer@g.harvard.edu using the subject line “Lewis Lab Postdoctoral Fellow Application.”

Working Conditions

Harvard requires COVID vaccination for all Harvard community members. Individuals may claim exemption from the vaccine requirement for medical or religious reasons. More information regarding the University’s COVID vaccination requirement, exemptions, and verification of vaccination status may be found at the University’s “COVID-19 Vaccine Information” webpage: http://www.harvard.edu/coronavirus/covid-19-vaccine-information/.

Harvard University is an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, gender identity, sexual orientation, pregnancy and pregnancy-related conditions, or any other characteristic protected by law. Demonstrates a commitment to diversity, inclusion, and cultural awareness through actions, interactions, and communications with others.

Learn more

About the Wyss:

The mission of the Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering at Harvard University is to transform human healthcare and the environment by emulating the way nature builds. Developed as an alliance between Harvard and other premier academic and clinical partner institutions, Institute faculty and staff collaborate in high-risk, fundamental research and science-driven technology development. A major focus of the Institute is to translate the technologies developed by its faculty and staff into commercial products and therapies through collaborations with clinical investigators and establishment of corporate alliances. For more information, discover our technologies, catch up on our recent news, or watch our latest videos.

Role Description:

The laboratory of Dr. George Church at the Wyss Institute at Harvard Medical School in Boston, MA is looking for a Postdoctoral Fellow to join our rapidly growing team, interested in developing therapies for age reversal of human hematopoietic stem cells. We have developed a pipeline leveraging AI-driven aging clocks and next-generation-sequencing to perform in vitro screens for the discovery of age reversal perturbations in human cells.

We are looking for a passionate, impact-motivated scientist and problem solver who enjoys participating in fast-paced, dynamic research. Candidates should be focused on delivering impact through translational science, enjoy working with diverse groups of people, and leverage their expertise to discover new biology.

The Postdoctoral Fellow will have the opportunity to lead projects within the Wyss Institute’s Ichor team focused on age reversal. Research will be performed in an interdisciplinary manner within the Wyss Institute and with collaborators in the Harvard Medical School community. We are particularly interested in scientists with strong wet lab experience in hematopoietic stem cell engineering and scRNA-Seq. Working alongside the project leads, you will assist in key research studies involving in vitro functional genomics of hematopoietic stem cells for applications in aging and oncology. Additionally, you will be closely involved in the continued development of our age reversal screening platform and related technologies.

The postdoctoral fellow will also have opportunities relating to early-stage innovation and commercialization, for which the Church lab has a history of success in effectively translating novel technology concepts into new biotech startups focused on addressing unmet needs for patients living with debilitating diseases. In addition to professional development opportunities within the lab and exposure to a breadth of scientific disciplines, the Postdoctoral Fellow will be able to take advantage of the scientific communities within Harvard, the Wyss Institute, and the greater Boston area.

 What You’ll Need:

• Ph.D. or equivalent
• Specific degree areas include but are not limited to hematopoietic stem cell biology, immunology, functional genomics, synthetic biology, and molecular biology.

Preferred:

 Preferably, applicants should be able to:

1. Independently plan, design, and execute on in vitro experiments relating to our screening platform in human hematopoietic stem cells
2. Design, clone, confirm and implement new libraries, strategies for library generation, and assist in the continued development of our screening platform
3. Help manage and mentor our team of graduate students, research assistants, and undergraduate researchers
4. Initiate, maintain, and execute on both industry and academic collaborations relating to the application of our platform across diverse cell types and disease spaces
5. Accurately and thoroughly document experimental observations and protocols and help maintain a high level of organizational efficiency within the lab
6. Demonstrate a commitment to diversity, inclusion, and cultural awareness in the workplace through actions & communications with others
7. Prior experience with primary human cell isolation, culture, and modification is advantageous, but not required
8. Prior experience with scRNA-seq is desired
9. Familiarity with python, R or similar programming language is advantageous, but not required
10. Highly effective organizational and communication skills are essential

Benefits and Perks:

• Medical/Dental/Vision: We offer a variety of excellent medical, dental, & vision plans. All coverage begins as of your start date.
• Time Off: 20 days of vacation per year
• Tuition Assistance Program: Competitive tuition assistance program, classes at the Harvard Extension School and discounted options through participating Harvard grad schools.
• Transportation: Harvard offers a 50% discounted MBTA pass as well as additional options to assist employees in their daily commute.
• Wellness Options: Harvard offers programs and classes at little or no cost, including stress management, nutrition, meditation, and complimentary health services.

Where You Can Apply:

 Applications, assembled as single PDF files, should contain a complete resume, cover letter describing research interests and goals, full list of publications, copies of up to three relevant scientific papers, as well as the names and contact information of three references (expected to provide letters of recommendation). Applications should be sent to faculty_postdocs@wyss.harvard.edu using the subject line “HSC Age Reversal.”

Working Conditions

Harvard requires COVID vaccination for all Harvard community members. Individuals may claim exemption from the vaccine requirement for medical or religious reasons. More information regarding the University’s COVID vaccination requirement, exemptions, and verification of vaccination status may be found at the University’s “COVID-19 Vaccine Information” webpage: http://www.harvard.edu/coronavirus/covid-19-vaccine-information/.

Harvard University is an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, gender identity, sexual orientation, pregnancy and pregnancy-related conditions, or any other characteristic protected by law. Demonstrates a commitment to diversity, inclusion, and cultural awareness through actions, interactions, and communications with others.

Learn more