Coop, Research

Mass General Brigham • Boston, MA

3d • $18 - $24 • 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. Based on-site in Boston, this full-time co-op focuses on understanding and controlling how biological systems interact with surrounding materials and environmental conditions, using coatings, aqueous formulations, soft-material design, microscopy, and quantitative experimentation.

The student will take a central role in day-to-day project execution, helping establish the experimental workflow, conduct systematic studies, evaluate material-based interventions, and investigate mechanisms governing biological stability and recovery. The role offers hands-on ownership of an interdisciplinary research project, close mentorship, participation in regular research meetings, and opportunities to propose experiments and help shape the project's scientific direction. The work is expected to contribute to a larger research program and may lead to research presentations or publications.

Requirements

• Currently enrolled as an undergraduate or graduate student in mechanical engineering, bioengineering, biomedical engineering, materials science, chemical engineering, chemistry, or a related discipline.
• Strong interest in conducting experiments, working across traditional disciplinary boundaries, and independently solving open-ended problems.
• Strong organizational skills and careful experimental documentation.
• High school diploma or equivalent.
• 0–1 year of experience required.
• Proficient in basic computer software.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to handle confidential information with integrity and professionalism.
• Willingness to learn, adapt, and contribute as part of a healthcare team.

Nice To Haves

• 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.
• Knowledge of healthcare regulations and privacy laws.
• 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, conduct systematic studies, evaluate material-based interventions, and investigate mechanisms governing biological stability and recovery.
• Participate in regular research meetings and contribute ideas to the scientific direction of the project.

Benefits

• Close mentorship.
• Participation in regular research meetings.
• Opportunity to propose experiments and help shape the scientific direction of the project.
• Potential to contribute to research presentations or publications.

What This Job Offers

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