Postdoctoral Associate

Working at MIT offers opportunities, an environment, a culture – and benefits – that just aren’t found together anywhere else. We value diversity and strongly encourage applications from individuals from all identities and backgrounds, like yours. If you’re motivated, want to be part of a unique, multicultural, collaborative, and inclusive community, and help shape the future – then take a look at this opportunity.

Information on MIT’s COVID-19 vaccination requirement can be found at the bottom of this posting.

POSTDOCTORAL ASSOCIATE, Center for Biomedical Innovation (CBI), to help in the development and production of virus-like particle (VLP) vaccines for SARS-CoV-2. The continuing COVID-19 pandemic demonstrates that accelerated approaches to the development, manufacture, and scale-up of VLP vaccines are needed to enable a rapid and flexible response to a global pandemic. The goal of this project is to demonstrate a translatable platform for the rapid development of VLP vaccines, ensuring readiness to meet the next viral threat. Specifically, will develop approaches to produce candidate VLP vaccines in small scale, 2 mL, microbioreactors as well as larger scale, 3L, bioreactors.  Key development activities will include using lentiviral constructs to transduce the host mammalian cells for viral protein production, optimizing the expression of viral proteins, and conducting experiments to support the development and validation of a mechanistic model of VLP production. 

The position offers and opportunity to work as part of an interdisciplinary and collaborative team at the forefront of VLP production. Other duties as assigned. 

Job Requirements
REQUIRED:  Ph.D. in biochemical/chemical engineering, biological sciences, or related field; demonstrated experience with the growth of mammalian cells and/or virus production in small-scale vessels and bioreactors; experience with bioreactor set-up, operation, and maintenance; experience with analysis of cell culture medium components, HPLC, ELISA, or similar methods; ability to prioritize multiple responsibilities, troubleshoot technical issues, and develop and execute detailed technical protocols; strong documentation and written and oral communication skills; and ability to work both independently and as part of a team.  PREFERRED: experience producing and characterizing viral vectors and vaccines.  Job #20169

This is a one-year appointment with the possibility of extension based upon satisfactory performance and the availability of funding.

9/16/21