Job Description

Research Assistant IV - Micro-Physiological Systems

04-Mar-2025
Research Assistant IV - Micro-Physiological Systems

Wyss Institute at Harvard University

67976BR

Job Summary

About us:

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 https://wyss.harvard.edu/technologies/, https://wyss.harvard.edu/news/, or https://wyss.harvard.edu/multimedia/.

About you:

You are a collaborative, impact-focused problem solver who wants to be part of a dynamic team dedicated to creating and commercializing novel approaches to global challenges in health care and sustainability. You want to tackle challenging projects in a fast-paced, industry-focused environment with resources and support from top-notch scientific, operations, and administrative professionals. You enjoy working with diverse groups of people and leveraging your expertise to create innovations that can change the world.

About the role:

We are looking for an enthusiastic and talented individual with previous experience in micro-physiological systems (MPS) to join the Bioinspired Therapeutics & Diagnostics platform as a senior and independent Research Assistant. You will significantly contribute to research programs on respiratory infectious diseases, post-infection chronic illness and cancer immunology funded by BARDA, ARPA-H and industry funded projects. You will work with primary cells derived from human blood or other tissues and be responsible for independently planning and executing scientific research involving microfluidic Organ on Chip primary cell culture as well as attenuated laboratory influenza strains or other biosafety level 2 pathogens. You will also develop and validate various in-vitro cell-based assays. You will be expected to work independently with minimal guidance from academic staff to design experiments, learn new skills, troubleshoot, and to contribute intellectually to the project.

Position Description

What you'll do:

• Independently design and conduct organ chip experiments in consultation with other team members for lung chip projects
• Maintain records and inventory of viral stocks and human tissue samples, optimizing and validating cell-based assays
• Analyze results, use graphs and slides to present and discuss data with minimal guidance from senior team members
• Contribute to the preparation of manuscripts; present data and conclusions at meetings within the Wyss Institute in collaboration with senior staff
• Provide training and mentorship to junior technicians in completing organ chip experiments
• Order supplies, perform support activities and lab maintenance, and function in a team-oriented environment with other scientists and staff at the Institute.
• Demonstrate a commitment to the Wyss Institute's community values of courage, collaboration, innovation, impact, diversity, and respect through actions, interactions, and communications with others

Basic Qualifications

What you'll need:

• Bachelor's degree in cell biology or biotechnology with at least three years of experience involving aseptic primary human cell culture and biology techniques, such as ELISA, qPCR, microscopy or related experience required. Advanced education may count towards years or experience.

Additional Qualifications and Skills

Desirable Skills:

• Master's degree in Cell Biology or Bioengineering preferred.
• Previous experience in micro-physiological systems (MPS) is a must.
• Candidates with experience in multiple primary cell types will be strongly considered.
• Experience with cell culture in microfluidic device.
• Ability to work well independently and to collaborate with a multidisciplinary group is essential.
• The candidate should be proficient with personal computers and applicable software packages (Microsoft Office).
• Additional experience in analysis software such as Prism, R, Image-J is a plus.
• Good written and oral communication skills are essential.
• The candidate should be highly motivated, detail-oriented, organized, and able to take initiative.

Additional Information

This is a one year term position with the possibility of renewal.

Harvard is unable to provide visa sponsorship for this position.

Why you'll like working with us:

At the Wyss Institute, you're a member of a supportive, dynamic community that is united by its shared goal of changing the world through groundbreaking technology development and commercialization. We encourage your professional growth and development through mentorship and tuition reimbursement to support continued learning, and more. We also support your physical, financial, and mental well-being through generous time off benefits, gym reimbursements, and other programs offered through Harvard. Our facility is located in a new, state-of-the-art life sciences building in the lively Fenway neighborhood, where you have access to multiple amenities including a roof top terrace with stunning views of Boston and proximity to numerous restaurants and cultural attractions. We value an inclusive and diverse workforce, and believe that our differences enrich the work environment for all.

Not ready to apply? https://bit.ly/3XjOml8 to stay up to date on career information and the latest news from the Wyss Institute.

Work Format Details

This is an in-person position based on our campus in Boston.

Benefits

We invite you to visit Harvard's Total Rewards website (https://hr.harvard.edu/totalrewards) to learn more about our outstanding benefits package, which may include:

• Paid Time Off: 3-4 weeks of accrued vacation time per year (3 weeks for support staff and 4 weeks for administrative/professional staff), 12 accrued sick days per year, 12.5 holidays plus a Winter Recess in December/January, 3 personal days per year (prorated based on date of hire), and up to 12 weeks of paid leave for new parents who are primary care givers.
• Health and Welfare: Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision benefits, disability and life insurance programs, along with voluntary benefits. Most coverage begins as of your start date.
• Work/Life and Wellness: Child and elder/adult care resources including on campus childcare centers, Employee Assistance Program, and wellness programs related to stress management, nutrition, meditation, and more.
• Retirement: University-funded retirement plan with contributions from 5% to 15% of eligible compensation, based on age and earnings with full vesting after 3 years of service.
• Tuition Assistance Program: Competitive program including $40 per class at the Harvard Extension School and reduced tuition through other participating Harvard graduate schools.
• Tuition Reimbursement: Program that provides 75% to 90% reimbursement up to $5,250 per calendar year for eligible courses taken at other accredited institutions.
• Professional Development: Programs and classes at little or no cost, including through the Harvard Center for Workplace Development and LinkedIn Learning.
• Commuting and Transportation: Various commuter options handled through the Parking Office, including discounted parking, half-priced public transportation passes and pre-tax transit passes, biking benefits, and more.
• Harvard Facilities Access, Discounts and Perks: Access to Harvard athletic and fitness facilities, libraries, campus events, credit union, and more, as well as discounts to various types of services (legal, financial, etc.) and cultural and leisure activities throughout metro-Boston.

Job Function

Research

Department Office Location

USA - MA - Boston

Job Code

403125 Research Assistant IV (Lab)

Work Format

On-Site

Sub-Unit

------------

https://hr.harvard.edu/salary-ranges#ranges

055

Department

Wyss Institute

Union

55 - Hvd Union Cler & Tech Workers

Time Status

Full-time

Pre-Employment Screening

Education, Identity

Schedule

Monday - Friday, 9am - 5pm

Commitment to Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging

As a collaborative organization, we at the Wyss Institute know that great innovation happens when diverse perspectives come together to solve problems. As a result, we are committed to cultivating and preserving a culture of inclusion and connectedness both in and out of the lab. When recruiting for our team, we welcome the unique contributions that you will bring in terms of education, culture, ethnicity, race, sex, gender identity and expression, nation of origin, age, languages spoken, veteran's status, religion, disability, and sexual orientation. We believe these differences in background, experience, and perspective enrich our work environment and are essential to our mission of solving complex problems through technology development and translation.

EEO Statement

We are 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.

LinkedIn Recruiter Tag (for internal use only)

#LI-EC1

To apply, visit https://apptrkr.com/6058911

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