Job Description

Research Specialist
Harvard Medical School

53906BR

Position Description

We are forming a team in the Harvard Medical School Department of Neurobiology dedicated to repurposing natural mechanisms of gene regulation to engineer precision viral vectors for gene therapy. First-generation gene therapy vectors lack optimal regulatory elements that lead to sub-therapeutic levels of expression and off-target toxicity. Our goal is to employ our in-house single-cell screening platform (PESCA, Hrvatin, et al., 2019), to sift through the mammalian genome and identify regulatory elements capable of driving optimal patterns of viral transgene expression to address a wide range of diseases. We are building a technology platform that fills a critical void in the gene therapy space. Our collective mission is to employ these regulatory elements to create novel viral vectors that unlock new indications and set a new standard in gene therapy. We have ambitions to spin off our work into a company to achieve this mission. We are recruiting a full-time senior scientist to join our team. This is an outstanding opportunity to play an integral role in developing the next-generation gene therapy platform. This position comes with broad responsibilities and an expectation that you will lead one or several key programs. Success will likely lead to the licensing of these programs into a new company, with potential future career opportunities. We are seeking highly motivated, collaborative, and effective individuals with strong scientific backgrounds capable of efficient experimental planning and management, who are excited by the prospect of pushing translational projects to completion in a fast-paced setting. Ideal candidates will have a strong background in molecular biology and next-generation sequencing assays.

Basic Qualifications

Master's Degree required. A Ph.D. in biological sciences or related field may count towards experience.

Additional Qualifications and Skills

4+ years of hands-on molecular biology - interested individuals should be capable of performing all steps of the platform pipeline. Experience in standard molecular biology techniques, including high-throughput plasmid design and cloning, PCR, RNA/DNA extraction and validation, qPCR. Strong organizational and documentation skills. Good interpersonal and collaborative skills, maintaining a friendly but professional working environment while contributing positively to development and troubleshooting. Strong written and oral scientific communication skills to keep leadership informed and to interface with academic and industry collaborators. Ability to adapt to and effectively manage changes in a fast-paced and dynamic environment.


Additional Information

This is a 12-month term appointment with the possibility of renewal contingent on funding.

Offer contingent upon successful completion of a pre-placement medical evaluation.

We are committed to cultivating an inclusive workplace culture of faculty, staff, and students with diverse backgrounds, styles, abilities, and motivations. We appreciate and leverage the capabilities, insights, and ideas of all individuals. Harvard Medical School Mission and Community Values

Harvard University offers an outstanding benefits package including:
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 with full vesting after 3 years of service.
Tuition Assistance Program: Competitive tuition assistance program, incredibly affordable classes directly 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 complementary health services.
Harvard access to athletic facilities, libraries, campus events, and many discounts throughout metro Boston.
The Harvard Medical School is not able to provide visa sponsorship for this position.

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Job FunctionResearch
Location

USA - MA - Boston

Job CodeRS0157 Researcher III Natural Science
Sub-Unit

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

DepartmentNeurobiology
Time Status

Full-time

Salary Grade057
Union

00 - Non Union, Exempt or Temporary

Pre-Employment ScreeningCriminal, Education, Identity
Schedule

​35 hrs. per week | Monday - Friday | 9:00 am - 5:00 pm

Commitment to Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging

Harvard University views equity, diversity, inclusion, and belonging as the pathway to achieving inclusive excellence and fostering a campus culture where everyone can thrive. We strive to create a community that draws upon the widest possible pool of talent to unify excellence and diversity while fully embracing individuals from varied backgrounds, cultures, races, identities, life experiences, perspectives, beliefs, and values.

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.

Harvard Medical School strives to cultivate an environment that promotes inclusiveness and collaboration among students, faculty and staff and to create new avenues for discussion that will advance our shared mission to improve the health of people throughout the world.