Position Title: Research Assistant IV - Novel Anesthetic Discovery
Req ID: 67658BR
School or Unit: Wyss Institute at Harvard University
Description: Job Summary
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. For more information discover our technologies, catch up on our recent news, or watch our latest videos.
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 enjoy working with highly motivated, diverse teams and leveraging your expertise to create innovations that can change the world.
About the Role:
The Wyss Institute is seeking a Research Assistant to join a multi-institute scientific program focused on the development of novel anesthetics. Currently, no anesthetic compound can safely be used in the absence of strict vital sign monitoring and physiological maintenance. There is therefore an unmet need for anesthetics that can be used in situations where medical experts and sophisticated monitoring equipment are not available, such as on the battlefield, in the context of natural disasters, and in remote areas. Our goal is to develop a new class of drugs that can induce general anesthesia without compromising the patient's vital functions and without requiring an anesthesiologist or life-support and monitoring equipment.
In this role, you will contribute to research studies involving Xenopus embryos and tadpoles, with a concentration on novel anesthetics discovery. Reporting to the Senior Scientist I, you will support behavioral screening and data analysis, as well as contribute to the development of analytical methods, data acquisition, and analysis using HPLC and mass spectrometry systems. You will utilize existing experimental setups to measure and quantify key behavioral metrics associated with achieving general anesthesia. Additionally, you will help quantify the chemical properties of novel anesthetic compounds and their biodistribution in Xenopus tadpoles using HPLC and advanced mass spectrometry techniques.
Position Description
What you'll do:
Perform in-vivo high-throughput behavioral screening experiments in Xenopus tadpoles.
Contribute to the development of analytical methods in collaboration with senior staff, as well as data acquisition and analysis using mass spectrometry systems
Accurately document experimental observations and protocols and write or update standard operating procedures
Conduct data analysis using existing pipelines (in R, Python, and MATLAB) and prepare publication-quality visualizations for presentations and publications.
Maintain a high level of professional expertise through continuous engagement with scientific literature.
Independently prepare technical reports, summaries, protocols, and quantitative analyses; support the preparation of grant applications and publications.
Serve as a resource for troubleshooting experimental setups, and mentor and train other lab members if needed
Contribute to team objectives by undertaking additional duties as required
Demonstrate a commitment to the Wyss Institute's community values of courage, collaboration, innovation, impact, diversity, and respect through actions, interactions, and communications with others
Basic Qualifications
What you'll need:
A bachelor's degree in neuroscience, biology, biomedical engineering, or a related field is required.
At least three years of lab research experience, including 1 or more year of experience with small animal handling and experience using programming languages for data analysis, is required. Advanced education may count towards years of experience.
Additional Qualifications and Skills
Desirable Skills:
A master's degree in neuroscience, biology, biomedical engineering or a related field is highly desirable.
Experience with using MATLAB or python for data analysis is desirable.
2 or more years of experience performing behavioral experiments using small animal models such as Xenopus tadpoles or zebrafish larvae is highly desirable.
Experience with widefield, confocal, and two-photon microscopy and image acquisition.
Experience with analytical chemistry and mass spectrometry workflows.
Experience with tissue sample collection, preparation, and storage for analysis.
Ability to implement, troubleshoot, or independently develop analysis pipelines and written code is desirable.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with strong documentation and attention to detail.
Exceptional organizational skills, technical writing abilities, record-keeping, and the capacity to manage multiple projects in a fast-paced environment.
About Us
Offer contingent on successful completion of pre-placement medical evaluation
This is a one year term position 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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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.
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.
EOE 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.
