Coop, Research

Mass General Brigham • Boston, MA

2d • Onsite

About The Position

The Laboratory for Translational Engineering, led by Dr. Giovanni Traverso, seeks a Northeastern co-op student to develop experimental strategies for stabilizing and controlling living biological systems. This full-time, on-site co-op in Boston focuses on understanding and controlling interactions between living systems and surrounding materials and environmental conditions through coatings, aqueous formulations, soft-material design, microscopy, and quantitative experimentation.

The student will play a central role in the day-to-day project, helping establish the experimental workflow, conduct systematic studies, evaluate material-based interventions, and investigate mechanisms governing biological stability and recovery. The role offers close mentorship, participation in regular research meetings, and opportunities to propose experiments and help shape the scientific direction. The work may contribute to research presentations or publications.

The posting also describes general healthcare co-op activities, including supporting patient care and administrative tasks, assisting patients and families, scheduling appointments, maintaining electronic health records, and supporting healthcare projects. However, the role-specific research description states that patient care is not required.

Requirements

• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• Currently enrolled as a student pursuing a relevant degree or diploma in a healthcare-related field.
• 0–1 year of experience required.
• Strong interest in the healthcare industry and desire to gain practical experience.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Detail-oriented, with good organizational and time-management skills.
• Ability to handle confidential information with integrity and professionalism.
• Proficient in basic computer software.
• Willingness to learn, adapt, and contribute as part of a healthcare team.

Nice To Haves

• Knowledge of healthcare regulations and privacy laws.
• General wet-laboratory or experimental research experience.
• Experience designing, conducting, or troubleshooting experiments.
• Experience with optical microscopy or quantitative biological imaging.
• Familiarity with biomaterials, coatings, polymers, hydrogels, colloids, or aqueous formulations.
• Experience with image analysis or quantitative data analysis.
• Strong organizational skills and careful experimental documentation.
• Prior experience with the specific biological system is not required.

Responsibilities

• Design and execute experiments with living biological samples.
• Develop reliable protocols for sample handling, treatment, storage, and recovery.
• Prepare and apply coatings and aqueous formulations.
• Investigate polymers, hydrogels, surfactants, colloids, and other candidate materials.
• Perform optical microscopy and quantitative image analysis.
• Develop methods to evaluate viability, morphology, behavior, and functional recovery.
• Analyze experimental data and identify relationships across biological, material, and environmental variables.
• Collaborate with researchers developing automation, imaging, and data-analysis tools.
• Help establish the experimental workflow and conduct systematic studies.
• Evaluate material-based interventions and investigate mechanisms governing biological stability and recovery.
• Propose experiments and help shape the scientific direction of the project.
• Support general healthcare administrative activities described in the posting, including assisting patients and families, scheduling appointments, and maintaining electronic health records.

Benefits

• Competitive base pay.
• Career advancement opportunities.
• Differentials, premiums, and bonuses as applicable.
• Recognition programs designed to celebrate contributions and support professional growth.

What This Job Offers

• Career Level: Intern
• Education Level: High school or GED