Job Description

The Wyss Institute is seeking a highly motivated and innovative Scientist with expertise in chemistry, materials or process development to be part of a dynamic team dedicated to the discovery, development, and translation of novel therapies for the treatment of disease.



About Us:

The Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering at Harvard University is not a typical research organization as our goal is near-term impact. Our mission is to transform healthcare and the environment by emulating the way nature builds, and getting our innovations out of the lab and into the real world, fast. At the Wyss Institute, faculty from premier academic and clinical institutions collaborate with staff scientists and engineers, postdocs, graduate students, industry experts, business development leaders, and entrepreneurs across disciplines to produce new technologies that don’t just succeed at making it to the market – they disrupt it. We support research that universities, companies, and VC firms don’t fund because they claim it’s too risky. We prefer to use the word “challenging,” and we love challenges. For more information, visit: http://wyss.harvard.edu/



About You:

You are a collaborative, team oriented and impact-focused problem solver who wants to be part of a dynamic team dedicated to creating and commercializing novel approaches to global challenges in healthcare and sustainability. You want the freedom to explore, to push the boundaries of what is possible, to use your ambition and imagination to tackle challenging projects in a fast-paced, industry- focused environment.



As an entrepreneurially-minded individual with an outgoing, collegial and team-oriented personality, you will combine your background in polymer chemistry and bioengineering, process development and biomanufacturing with new technology development to solve important challenges in healthcare. You will participate in scientific collaborations with some of the world’s leading scientists, engineers, students, and fellows. You are a self-motivated self-starter with excellent written and verbal communication skills. You enjoy working with diverse groups of people and leveraging your own expertise within industry or related translationally focused experience to create innovations that can change the world. You are open to learning new skills and to sharing your skills with others in a cross- training and collaborative environment. You enjoy freedom in your work as well as collaborative independence and believe in personal accountability.


About the role:

We are looking for an innovative polymer scientist/bioengineer who will work in the design, synthesis, and characterization of a range of materials, including, but not limited to, hydrogels, biopolymers, and nanoparticles with a primary focus on controlled, pulsed or sustained delivery of small molecules or biologics. Reporting to the Platform Director, you will be exposed to many different technologies and clinical challenges where you can apply your skills in therapeutics, diagnostics, biology and materials science. You will have the opportunity to contribute to new product solutions and you may have the unique opportunity to follow your passion either at the Institute or as a member of a Wyss start-up.


What you'll do:
- Formulate, design, invent and develop new material platforms including new delivery technologies. Develop associated manufacturing processes to support pre- clinical and clinical studies
- Collaborate with biological scientists, engineers and clinicians to develop material- based immunotherapies
- Contribute to writing research proposals, grant submissions and patent applications in concert with other team members
- Collaborate with faculty and other researchers on writing manuscripts, abstracts and other publications
- Support external collaboration opportunities with the business development team
- Mentor and train others
- Present research results at Wyss internal and external meetings
- Demonstrate a commitment to diversity, inclusion, personal accountability, and cultural awareness through actions, interactions, and communications with others

What you'll need:
- Bachelor’s degree in polymer chemistry, bioengineering, chemical engineering, material science.or directly related discipline.
- A minimum of Five years of experience in biomaterials engineering and synthesis. A PhD may count towards years of experience.


Desirable Skills:
- Advanced degree preferred
- Experience with general regulatory and GMP requirements for material preparation in support of pre-clinical or clinical studies, and IND filing is preferred.
- Product development and manufacturing experience in either industry or other translationally focused experience is preferred.
- Ability to seek out collaborations and manage and mentor others.
- Product design R&D experience.
- Experience with quality management systems and translational operations.
- Demonstrated success in leading and working in cross-functional teams. Excellent documentation, analytical, communication, and inter-personal skills.
- Ability to thrive in a fast-paced translational environment and comfortable with change