Senior Scientist - Biomaterials & Process Development

24-Jun-2022

Harvard Medical School

59006BR

Job Summary

The Wyss Institute is seeking a highly motivated and innovative Scientist with significant 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, 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 to tackle challenging projects in a fast-paced, industry-focused environment without a lot of administrative hurdles.

As an entrepreneurially-minded individual with an outgoing personality, you will combine your background in polymer chemistry or biomedical engineering, process development and biomanufacturing with new technology development and important applications in healthcare. You will excel in an opportunity to enable and foster wide ranging scientific collaborations with some of the world’s leading scientists, engineers, students, and fellows. You enjoy working with diverse groups of people and leveraging your own expertise to create innovations that can change the world.

About the Role:

We are looking for an innovative scientist/bioengineer with comprehensive understanding of process development toward pre-clinical and clinical studies and with analytical methods to monitor material quality. Reporting to the Platform Director, you will work in the design, synthesis, and characterization of a range of materials, including hydrogels, biopolymers, and nanoparticles, but with a primary focus on controlled, triggered or sustained delivery of drugs or biologics. You will be exposed to many different technologies in areas ranging from therapeutics and diagnostics to synthetic biology and materials science, with the goal to identify new product solutions and the unique opportunity to follow your passion either at the Institute or as a future co-founder of a Wyss start-up.

Position Description

What you'll do:

• You will evaluate new material platforms including new delivery technologies and develop manufacturing processes to support animal and clinical studies.
• Collaborate with biological scientists and clinicians to develop material-based immunotherapies.
• Participate in envisioning and writing research proposals and reports to funding agencies, providing critical data, figures or information for grant and patent submissions;
• Write and collaborate with faculty and other researchers on manuscripts, abstracts and other publications of research findings;
• Identify new external collaboration opportunities with the business development team.
• Manage and train others on research methodology.
• Present research results at Wyss internal and external meetings.
• Demonstrate a commitment to diversity, inclusion, and cultural awareness through actions, interactions, and communications with others.

Basic Qualifications

What you'll need:

• Advanced degree in polymer chemistry, biomedical engineering, chemical engineering, or material science.

• A minimum of six years of experience in process development, material manufacturing, and characterization in support of pre-clinical or clinical studies. A PhD may count towards years of experience.

Additional Qualifications and Skills

Desirable Skills:

• PhD is strongly preferred.
• Experience with general regulatory and GMP requirements for material preparation in support of pre-clinical toxicology or clinical studies, and IND filing is preferred.
• Product development-oriented experience is either industry or academic setting preferred.
• Demonstrated success in leading and working in cross-functional teams. Excellent documentation, analytical, communication, and inter-personal skills.
• Comfortable in a fast-paced translational environment and able to adjust scientific approach based upon changing priorities.
• Ability to seek out collaborations and manage and mentor others.
• Product design experience.
• Experience with quality systems and translational operations.

Working Conditions

This position will be based on our campus in Boston, MA and will require on-campus presence. Subject to business needs, the Wyss Institute generally supports flexible work arrangements.

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: http://www.harvard.edu/coronavirus/covid-19-vaccine-information/. 

Additional Information

Offer contingent on successful completion of pre-placement medical evaluation.

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. We value an inclusive and diverse workforce, and believe that our differences enrich the work environment for all. 

Our outstanding benefits package includes: 

• Time Off: 3 - 4 weeks paid vacation, paid holiday break, 12 paid sick days, 12.5 paid holidays, and 3 paid personal days per year.
• Medical/Dental/Vision: We offer a variety of excellent medical plans, dental & vision plans, all coverage begins as of your start date.
• Retirement: University-funded retirement plan 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 tuition assistance program, $40 per class at the Harvard Extension School and discounted options through participating Harvard grad schools.
• Transportation: Harvard offers a 50% discounted MBTA pass as well as additional options to assist employees in their daily commute.
• Wellness options: Harvard offers programs and classes at little or no cost, including stress management, massages, nutrition, meditation and complimentary health services.
• Facilities access and Discounts: Harvard access to athletic facilities, libraries, campus events and many discounts throughout metro Boston.

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Harvard is unable to provide visa sponsorship for this position.

Location

USA - MA - Boston

Job Code

RS0158 Scientist I

Union

00 - Non Union, Exempt or Temporary

Pre-Employment Screening

Education, Identity

Schedule

Monday through Friday, 9am - 5pm

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.