Research Assistant III - Immune Organ-on-Chip

Harvard University • Boston, MA

6d • Onsite

About The Position

We are looking for a Research Assistant III to join the Lymph Node Organ on Chip team in Dr. Don Ingber’s laboratory. We use advanced Lymph Node Organ Chip models to recapitulate key aspects of human immunobiology to study human immune responses against vaccines, pathogens and/or foreign antigens, tumor–immune interactions, inflammation, environmental exposures, and responses to candidate therapeutics. Our goal is to improve prediction of human drug safety and efficacy, uncover disease mechanisms, and accelerate development of new therapies, including through collaborations with industry partners and potential startup efforts.

Reporting to the Director leading the team, you will execute and help optimize experiments using Lymph Node Organ Chips; culture and maintain human immune cells, primary human cells and human cancer cell lines and co culture systems; and assist in developing, troubleshooting, and standardizing human lymph node microphysiological models for translational studies. You will perform imaging, molecular, and functional assays; analyze and summarize datasets; prepare figures and presentations; and maintain detailed electronic lab notebooks, SOPs, and inventories while contributing to overall lab organization and compliance. You will collaborate closely with a multidisciplinary team of biologists and engineers, help train and mentor junior staff, co ops, and interns, and learn cutting edge organ on chip, lung cell culture, and analytical techniques. The ideal candidate is comfortable performing a variety of tasks within the same week, has diverse research experience, and thrives in a highly collaborative, fast paced research environment.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in biology, Cell Biology, Immunology, Bioengineering, Biomedical Engineering, or a related field is required.
• Two or more years of full-time research experience involving mammalian cell culture and cell-based assays in an academic, hospital, or industry laboratory setting. Advanced education may count towards years of experience.
• Practical experience with core immunology techniques (e.g., immune cell isolation and culture, flow cytometry, ELISA, immunostaining, or similar) is required.
• Demonstrated ability to follow and troubleshoot experimental protocols, maintain careful records, and meet project milestones is required.
• Strong interest in and commitment to working within multidisciplinary teams is required.
• Proven ability to work both independently and collaboratively, manage multiple tasks, and prioritize in a fast-paced, milestone-driven environment.
• Exceptional organizational skills, meticulous record-keeping, and strong attention to detail.
• Proficiency with standard software packages (e.g., Microsoft Office, GraphPad Prism, FlowJo or similar).
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

Nice To Haves

• Master’s degree is strongly preferred
• Prior experience in immunology, cancer biology, infectious disease, or related areas is strongly preferred.
• Experience with microphysiological systems (e.g., Organ Chips), organoids, microfluidics, or 3D cell culture is highly desirable.
• Familiarity with fluorescence microscopy and image analysis and/or other quantitative data analysis tools.

Responsibilities

• Isolate and culture human immune cells with guidance from the lymph node organ on chip team.
• Collaborate with team members to set up different types of cocultures.
• Perform microfluidic organ-on-chip experiments, including primary immune cell, cancer cell and other primary human cell culture and chip maintenance, in support of lymph node-on-chip experiments
• Execute and contribute to the design of endpoint assays including, but not limited to: Luminex assays, cytokine MSD assays, flow cytometry, viability analysis, imaging, qPCR, neutralizing assay etc., in collaboration with experienced staff members.
• Accurately and thoroughly document experimental observations and protocols; write/update standard operating procedures.
• Follow Harvard's best practices for data storage and sharing experimental records with the team.
• Order supplies/consumables and maintain shared stocks.
• Maintain tissue culture facilities, including daily maintenance of tissue culture equipment such as hoods, incubators, and water baths.
• Collaborate with other teams at the Wyss Institute or in other institutions to provide project support as needed. As an example, you may be asked to provide cells for exciting projects happening around the institute.
• Contribute to the writing of journal articles, reviews, and patents
• Train other members of the team in specific techniques and/or best practices
• Demonstrate a commitment to teamwork, scientific rigor, and collaboration within and across teams

Benefits

• Generous paid time off including parental leave
• Medical, dental, and vision health insurance coverage starting on day one
• Retirement plans with university contributions
• Wellbeing and mental health resources
• Support for families and caregivers
• Professional development opportunities including tuition assistance and reimbursement
• Commuter benefits, discounts and campus perks

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level