Research Assistant II - Cell Culture and Blood Clotting Chip

Company Description

By working at Harvard University, you join a vibrant community that advances Harvard's world-changing mission in meaningful ways, inspires innovation and collaboration, and builds skills and expertise. We are dedicated to creating a diverse and welcoming environment where everyone can thrive.

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 do not fund because they view it as too risky. We prefer to use the word “challenging”, and we love challenges.

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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 enjoy working with highly motivated, diverse teams and leveraging your expertise to create innovations that can change the world.

We are currently seeking a Research Assistant II to significantly contribute to a research program funded by the Welcome Leap, “The missed vital sign”, involving the use of human Organ Chips to advance knowledge and development of therapeutics for heavy menstrual bleeding (HMB). We will be developing a human Organ Chip model of HMB and use it to identify causal factors, as well as discover new non‑hormonal HMB therapeutics using multi‑omics analysis in combination with an artificial intelligence (AI)-enabled computational approach.

As part of the Bioinspired Therapeutics & Diagnostics platform and reporting to the Scientist, you will carry out various cell‑based assays and manage primary cell cultures, including, but not limited to, primary epithelial and endothelial cell cultures and on‑chip cultures. Furthermore, you will execute studies on blood perfusion in these human organ chip models of HMB and analyze differences between them and healthy models.

You will be expected to learn new skills, troubleshoot any technical issues that arise, and contribute intellectually to the project. For more information, visit: (Use the "Apply for this Job" box below)./

• Perform microfluidic organ‑on‑chip experiments under the supervision of senior lab members, including primary endothelial cell culture and chip maintenance, in support of thrombosis‑on‑chip experiments. Accurately and thoroughly document experimental observations and protocols.
• Execute and assist in designing endpoint assays under the supervision of experienced staff members, including, but not limited to: coagulation analyses, blood vessel permeability assays and analysis, imaging and analysis of blood vessel morphology
• Order supplies and perform support activities and perform lab maintenance.
• Under the supervision of staff, contribute to data analysis and regularly present data and conclusions at meetings within the Wyss Institute.
• Demonstrate a commitment to teamwork, scientific rigor, and collaboration within and across teams.

• College background in Cell Biology, biomedical engineering or related field. One or more years of industry or academic laboratory experience in vascular biology, hemostasis, or thrombosis involving primary cell culture is required. Education may count towards years of experience.

• Bachelor’s degree is strongly preferred. Willingness to learn and contribute to developing new methods and tools related to blood coagulation analysis on the chip.
• Prior experience with Vascular Biology or…