Research Assistant III- Technology Development

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.

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 are excited about science and enjoy working at the bench, and may be interested in gaining additional research experience in a translational environment for two years before graduate school. 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 enjoy working with diverse groups of people and leveraging your expertise to create innovations that can change the world.

We are looking for a Research Assistant III to join our work developing novel technologies for biomarker discovery and diagnostics. You will work with a multidisciplinary team on developing novel technologies for investigating pathological states from human biofluids. You will lead development of novel methods that will be used across different diseases. Although you will work within a team and receive significant experimental and computational training, you will also have significant opportunities for scientific independence, and previous RAs working with us have contributed to multiple publications and presented their work at international conferences.

• Perform experimental research in technology development of novel methods for profiling of nucleic acid and protein biomarkers from human biofluids.
• Perform computational analysis of high‑throughput methods of analyzing nucleic acids and proteins.
• Work in collaboration with senior lab members to establish automation using liquid handling instruments.
• Provide training and guidance to other lab members on experimental technique.
• Perform lab maintenance such as maintaining and/or purchasing equipment and ordering supplies, as required.
• Present data at internal Wyss meetings with supervision from senior lab members.
• Demonstrate a commitment to teamwork, scientific rigor, and collaboration within and across teams.

What you’ll need:

• Bachelor’s degree in a biological science or related field is required.
• Two or more years of experience in molecular biology or biochemistry, including experience with molecular biology techniques and constructing/optimizing NGS libraries or mass spectrometry‑based proteomics, is required.

Desirable skills:

• Programming experience in Python and/or R and analyzing NGS/proteomics data is required.
• Full‑time, post‑university research experience is strongly preferred; however, exceptional candidates with two or more years of undergraduate research experience are encouraged to apply.
• Experience with RNA biology and/or protein biochemistry is advantageous.
• Experience (or, at least, interest) in automated liquid handling is advantageous.

• Appointment End Date: This is a one year term position with the possibility of renewal.
• Standard Hours/
  
  Schedule:
  
  35 hours per week.
• Visa Sponsorship Information: Harvard University is unable to provide visa sponsorship for this position.
• Pre‑Employment Screening: Identity, Education.

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…