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.