Scientist II- Bioengineering

18-Mar-2024

Wyss Institute at Harvard University

65338BR

Job Summary

About the Wyss:
The Wyss Institute’s mission is to transform healthcare and the environment by emulating the way nature builds. We harness the freedom of academia and the focus of industry in order to translate revolutionary technologies into commercial products and solutions. At the Wyss Institute, faculty from premier academic and clinical institutions, collaborate with staff scientists, postdocs, graduate students, industry experts, business development leaders, and entrepreneurs across disciplines to invent and de- risk new technologies that don’t just succeed at making it to the market – they disrupt it. 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, visit: http://wyss.harvard.edu/ 

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 healthcare and sustainability. You want the opportunity to explore your scientific interests and apply your knowledge to tackle ambitious projects in a fast-paced, entrepreneurial-minded environment with resources and support from top-notch scientific operations and administrative professionals. You will have significant expertise in the design, evaluation of therapeutic strategies based on non-standard Amino Acid, including assay design and execution 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 innovative Scientist to join the AminoX team to be the business and scientific strategy lead, driving the program towards a commercialization end-point. Reporting to the Senior Director, Translational R&D and collaborating closely with the AminoX project team and faculty, you will drive the program forward, demonstrating ownership of project strategy and execution in accordance with the agreed-upon project goals and timelines. As a translational institute and member of our Advanced Technology Team, you will be collaborating with various project teams and exposed to many different technologies in areas ranging from therapeutics and diagnostics to synthetic biology and materials science. You may also have the unique opportunity to transition into a newly formed start-up company. 

Position Description

What you'll do:

• Lead the scientific strategy and execution of this project including demonstration of technology applicability in key scientific experiments. Coordinate with internal and external scientists for the synthesis and encoding of nanobody-based sensors. Develop, perform and analyze assays related to sensor performance in relation to academic and industry standard approaches. Work with intellectual property teams to file unique, enabling, and impactful patent filings.
• Work with internal business development resources to drive and refine the business strategy for this project opportunity. Connect with internal and external stakeholders as well as key opinion leaders, maintain clear communication of project progress and challenges. Identify and pursue market areas for technology prioritization. Proactively seek out external funding and resource opportunities.
• Actively supports and collaborates with other areas of the Living Cellular Device platform and the Advanced Technology Team as it relates to new technology development, community building, administrative efficiencies, and operational protocols.
• Mentor junior staff and manage resources assigned to the project team to achieve program goals.
• Demonstrate a commitment to diversity, inclusion and cultural awareness through interactions and communications with others.

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, bioengineering, Microbiology, synthetic biology or related discipline
• A minimum of 5 years of experience in assay development, protein engineering, and/or synthetic biology

Additional Qualifications and Skills

• PhD in Engineer, Bioengineering, Biochemistry, or Molecular Biology strongly preferred
• Full time post graduate industry experience with a focus on product development is preferred.
• Experience with the designing and performing assays for non-Standard Amino Acid proteins in in vitro or in vivo.
• Expertise in the preclinical evaluation of therapeutic strategies involving non-standard Amino Acids is strongly preferred
• Strong understanding of fundamental concepts in protein therapeutics and in vivo delivery preferred
• Experience with cell culture, microscopy, biochemistry, microbiology, cell-based functional assays.
• Experience in authoring and critically reviewing technical documents, study protocols and reports related to assay development, qualification, validation, and clinical sample testing a plus.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, documentation skills and attention to detail, with the proven ability to work effectively as a member of a multidisciplinary team
• Experience managing scientific personnel preferred

Additional Information

This is a term position ending on June 30, 2025 with the possibility of renewal.

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.

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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.

Department Office Location

USA - MA - Boston

Job Code

RS0157 Researcher III Natural Science

Union

00 - Non Union, Exempt or Temporary

Appointment End Date

30-Jun-2025

Pre-Employment Screening

Education, Identity

Schedule

This is a half time role scheduled for 17.5 hours per week; the specific schedule will be discussed with the manager during the hiring process.

Commitment to Equity, Diversity, 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.

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