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Jobs 5

• Postdoctoral Fellow – DNA Origami
  Academic Position

  The Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering at Harvard University seeks outstanding postdoctoral fellow applicants with expertise in biomolecular engineering or science to develop hierarchical self-assembly of hundreds to thousands of distinct DNA origami into addressable microstructures, exploiting the principles of crisscross assembly innovated in our lab. In addition to carrying out research, the successful candidate will be expected to apply for fellowship funding, contribute to the writing of grants and manuscripts, participate in teaching and mentoring of lab members as needed, and otherwise contribute to overall lab operations. The applicant will be a collaborative, impact-focused problem solver who wants to be part of a dynamic team.

  Learn more about the innovative work led by William Shih, Ph.D., on his lab’s website. [15039]

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• Postdoctoral Fellow – Aryl hydrocarbon receptor
  Academic Position

  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:

  Postdoctoral research fellowship to study the role of the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) in mediating tissue homeostasis and repair, relevant to the development and treatment of inflammatory bowel disease and atherosclerosis, as well as cancer immunity. The project will focus on the evaluation of AHR as a modulator of immune and inflammatory mediated disorders, protein interaction networks, cell metabolism, and tissue repair using animal models and organoid assay systems (Science Advances 2020; 6:eaay8230). The candidate is expected to closely interact with an interdisciplinary team of immunologists, medicinal chemists, pathologists, and biomedical engineers. PhD in molecular or cell biology, immunology, biomedical engineering or related discipline required.

  What you’ll do:

  • Integrate knowledge from immunology, protein interaction networks and cell metabolism to identify immune mediated approaches that promote tissue repair.
  • Initiate and direct experiments that utilize murine models and other organoid models.
  • Integrate knowledge from immunology, protein interaction networks, cell metabolism, molecular and cell biology, to define underlying mechanisms of inflammatory bowel disease, atherosclerosis, or cancer immunity.
  • Apply a variety of in vitro tools, including organoid assays and conduct molecular and cellular bioassays, flow cytometry, as well as other assay systems.

   What you’ll need:

  • Requires a Ph.D. in immunology, biological and biomedical sciences, biomedical engineering or related discipline.
  • Collaborate with members of a multidisciplinary team to efficiently pursue novel strategies that support the discovery of immune modulators for tissue repair and regeneration.
  • Experience in cell and molecular biology, flow cytometry, other complex bioassays, as well as in vivo studies using mouse models.
  • Must be an energetic, out-of-box thinker with positive attitude. Excellent written and oral communication skills are required, as is the desire and ability to work in a multidisciplinary environment.
  • Expert knowledge of scientific principles and concepts. Demonstrated success as exemplified by peer-reviewed publications, scientific creativity, and independent thought.

  Where you can apply:

  Interested candidates should submit a CV and the names of three references to Elliott L. Chaikof, MD, PhD, Johnson and Johnson Professor of Surgery, Harvard Medical School, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, echaikof@bidmc.harvard.edu

  • Chaikof Lab
  • Harvard-MIT Division of Health Sciences and Technology
  • Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering
  • Harvard Stem Cell Institute
  • Harvard Medical School

  The Chaikof lab is located in the Center for Life Sciences (CLS) Building in the Longwood medical area, directly adjacent to Harvard Medical School. CLS 11090, 3 Blackfan Circle, Boston, MA 02115.

  Working Conditions:

  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.

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• Postdoctoral Fellow – Multiplex Genome Editing and Stem Cell Engineering with a Focus on Cell-based Therapies and Tissue Engineering
  Academic Position

  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.

  Role Description:

  The candidate will join the Chaikof lab at Harvard Medical School and Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and is expected to closely interact with an interdisciplinary team of immunologists, biomedical engineers, developmental biologists, and clinician-investigators. The project will focus on the evaluation of strategies to engineer human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) that evade both the adaptive and innate immune mechanisms of immune rejection. In the process, continuous and scalable bioprinting processes will be utilized to generate engineered extracellular matrices for blood vessel fabrication. The biomechanical and biological responses of engineered blood vessel equivalents will be investigated in vitro and in vivo.

  In This Role You Will:

  • Integrate knowledge from developmental biology, genome editing, systems biology, molecular genetics, and immunology to determine the molecular mechanisms that evade alloimunity and promote desirable cell phenotypes.
  • Facilitate the design and characterization of genome edited pluripotent stem cells by multiplex genome editing.
  • Initiate and directs the differentiation of pluripotent stem cells to endothelial and smooth muscle cells, as well as other cells of interest.
  • Apply a variety of in vitro tools and data analysis, including genetic, molecular and cellular bioassays, flowcytometry, as well as immunohistochemical studies to characterize the relationship between phenotype, gene expression signature, and host immune response.
  • Utilize humanized mice in which parts of the human immune system has been recreated.
  • Monitors and evaluate completion of tasks and projects.

  What You’ll Need:

  • PhD in molecular or cell biology, immunology, systems biology, biomedical engineering or related discipline required.
  • The candidate is expected to closely interact with members of a multidisciplinary team to efficiently pursue novel strategies that support the design of genetically engineered cells and tissues.
  • Experience in genome editing, cell and molecular biology, flow cytometry, other complex bioassays, as well as in vivo studies using mouse models.
  • Must be an energetic, out-of-box thinker with positive attitude.
  • Excellent written and oral communication skills are required, as is the desire and ability to work in a multidisciplinary environment.
  • Exhibits outstanding collaborative skills and the ability to train and mentor others.
  • Expert knowledge of scientific principles and concepts. Demonstrated success as exemplified by peer reviewed publications, scientific creativity, and independent thought.

  Where You Can Apply:

  Submit CV and the names of three references to Elliott L. Chaikof, MD, PhD at echaikof@bidmc.harvard.edu. 

  Elliot L. Chaikof, MD, PhD, Johnson and Johnson Professor of Surgery, Harvard Medical School, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center

  • Chaikof Lab
  • Harvard-MIT Division of Health Sciences and Technology
  • Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering
  • Harvard Stem Cell Institute
  • Harvard Medical School

  The Chaikof lab is in the Center for Life Sciences (CLS) Building in the Longwood medical area, directly adjacent to Harvard Medical School. CLS 11090, 3 Blackfan Circle, Boston, MA 02115

  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.

  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.

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• Visiting Graduate Researcher (Master’s Degree Intern) – Brain Shuttle Discovery in the Brain Targeting Program
  Academic Position

  Starting: Flexible

  Duration: 6 months to 1 year

  About the Wyss:

  The Wyss Institute’s mission is to transform healthcare and the environment by emulating the way nature builds. We harness the imagination of academia and the focus of industry to translate ground-breaking technologies into commercial products that solve big problems. We support research that universities, companies, and venture capital firms don’t fund because they view it as too risky. We prefer to use the word “challenging,” and we love challenges. 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 invites applications for Visiting Graduate Researcher position on the Brain Shuttle Discovery team of the Brain Targeting Program (BTP). This position will focus on brain shuttle compound discovery and brain-targeted therapeutics discovery.

  The Wyss Institute’s BTP, co-led by James Gorman, M.D., Ph.D. and Donald Ingber, M.D., Ph.D., is pursuing multiple projects directed to improved methods of transport across the blood-brain barrier (BBB) into the brain, with the aim of improving treatments for diverse diseases of the central nervous system. The brain shuttle discovery team focuses on two main areas. The first is discovery and validation of novel antibody (Ab) shuttle compounds that can greatly enhance the transport of therapeutics across the BBB to the brain. The second is optimization of our brain shuttles for specific payloads and diseases. By combining the BTP’s brain shuttles with therapeutics, we aim to develop novel, efficient brain-targeted drugs that significantly improve therapeutic efficacy for brain diseases. The Wyss team collaborates with academic collaborators and industry sponsors and partners to advance the development of novel brain targeting therapeutics.

  Applicants should have knowledge of the brain, understand basic cell biology, and have laboratory training. The applicant is expected to perform tissue culture, rodent tissue lysate preparation, ELISAs, western blotting and others with training and guidance. The candidate will have one primary mentor, receive rigorous training, exposure to multiple disciplines, and gain in-depth knowledge about the BBB and brain shuttle discovery, preparing them to pursue academic or biopharmaceutical careers.

  In This Role You Will:

  • Learn the cutting-edge technologies and research in the field of brain shuttles and brain-targeted therapeutics from our state-of the-art literature collections.
  • Participate in the entire process of in vivo animal pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic (PK/PD) studies to evaluate the uptake and biodistribution of brain shuttles.
  • Design and execute in vitro experiments to validate the affinity of brain shuttle Abs and to perform the initial screening of Ab panels.
  • Summarize, present, and share key findings with an interdisciplinary scientific team in a compelling, organized manner.
  • Collaborate with other researchers to address and solve new challenges and unanticipated problems as they arise.
  • Work as independently as possible, in a detail-oriented, self-driven manner.

  What you’ll need

  • Applicants must hold a MSc degree in the field of Biology, Neuroscience, Bioengineering, Pharmaceutic science, or a closely related discipline. PhD holders are not eligible for this position.
  • Scientific, Practical, and Interpersonal Skills:
    • Soft Skills: communication, adaptability, independent thinking, efficiency, self-drive
    • Computer Skills: Microsoft Office (Word, PowerPoint, Excel), Prism, etc.
    • Scientific Skills: gather/analyze data and generate presentable results, knowledge of basic BBB biology and neurodegenerative disorders/brain cancers/etc., knowledge of PKPD analyses, etc.

  Preferred:

  • Experience with basic immunoassays: ELISA, Western Blot, IHC, etc.
  • Experience with mouse studies and mouse tissue handling.
  • Experience with tissue histology: tissue fixation, cryosection, etc.
  • Experience with cell culturing and cell analysis: flow cytometry, etc.

  Please Note:  This position is unpaid. The applicant must be enrolled in a degree program for the duration of their visit and must receive academic credit for this experience.  They must also be able to fund their own travel and living expenses or have secured an external source of fellowship support.

  Where You Can Apply:

  Applications, assembled as a single PDF file, should contain a complete resume and a cover letter describing research interests, goals, and why you would be a good fit for this program. Applications should be sent to faculty_postdocs@wyss.harvard.edu using the subject line “Compound Discovery Visiting Graduate Researcher I”.

  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.

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• Visiting Student & Internship Opportunities
  Academic Position

  While the Wyss Institute does not currently have a formal internship program, we encourage you to reach out directly to the faculty members and/or Advanced Technology Team members whose work aligns with your research interests to inquire about the possibility of working with their group as an intern.

  When emailing faculty members and/or Advanced Technology Team members, please make sure to include your CV and your research background.

  You can find contact information for each of our team leads by visiting the Advanced Technology Team page.

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