Senior Scientist II- Hepatocyte and Liver Tissue Engineering

Harvard University • Boston, MA

3d • Onsite

About The Position

The Senior Scientist II provides scientific and technical leadership for hepatocyte engineering activities within a multi-institutional, federally funded program developing engineered liver tissue to treat liver failure. The role establishes methods to expand, engineer, and characterize functional human hepatocytes, including approaches to modulate immune recognition, and integrates engineered cells into tissue constructs and in vivo studies. This is a laboratory-based position involving the design and hands-on conduct of core experiments. The position reports to the Senior Director of Translational R&D and works closely with Professor Christopher Chen and cross-functional research teams at the Wyss Institute, Boston University, and partner institutions.

The role leads experimental planning, execution, analysis, milestone planning, sponsor reporting, and program reviews for the hepatocyte workstream. It collaborates with biofabrication, vascularization, and in vivo teams; supports translation, intellectual property strategy, grant writing, and partnerships; and may supervise technicians and mentor research assistants, students, and scientists. It also contributes to budget planning, scientific documentation, rigorous recordkeeping, and safe and efficient laboratory operations.

Requirements

• Master’s degree in Cell Biology, Molecular Biology, Bioengineering, Biomedical Engineering, Biomedical Science, or a related field, and at least 9 years of relevant research experience in an academic, research institute, or industry setting; education may count toward experience.
• Extensive hands-on experience in human cell culture, expansion, and functional characterization.
• Strong foundation in molecular biology and genome engineering, including CRISPR/Cas9 and viral or non-viral gene delivery.
• Ability to work independently and in interdisciplinary teams, with strong attention to detail and rigorous documentation practices.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including technical writing and presentations for scientific, program, and sponsor audiences.
• Strong record of scientific productivity, including publications, regulatory documentation, or technical reports.

Nice To Haves

• PhD in Cell Biology, Molecular Biology, Bioengineering, Biomedical Engineering, or a related field.
• Full-time post-graduate industry experience focused on product development.
• Experience with primary human hepatocytes and human pluripotent stem cell-derived cells.
• Experience engineering cells to evade or modulate immune recognition, or conducting immunological assays relevant to cell therapy.
• Experience in assay development, analytical characterization, and quality or release testing of cell-based products.
• Experience scaling cell culture, including bioreactor systems, technology transfer, and cGMP manufacturing.
• Track record of advancing cell or tissue technologies toward translational or clinical milestones; experience supporting IND-enabling studies.
• Experience with 3D culture, organoids, or engineered tissue constructs, and in vivo models of cell transplantation.
• Experience contributing to intellectual property and commercialization efforts.

Responsibilities

• Lead scientific execution, experiment planning, and analysis for the hepatocyte workstream, and personally conduct core experiments.
• Establish, optimize, and scale methods for expansion, maturation, and long-term maintenance of functional human hepatocytes.
• Develop and apply genetic engineering strategies, including CRISPR/Cas9 editing and transgene delivery, to modulate immunogenicity of hepatocytes and other cells used in engineered liver tissue.
• Guide assay development and characterize hepatocyte identity, function, and immune phenotype, including albumin and urea secretion, cytochrome P450 activity, and in vitro immune response assays.
• Analyze experimental data and communicate results to the larger team.
• Collaborate with biofabrication, vascularization, and in vivo teams to integrate engineered hepatocytes into tissue constructs and evaluate engraftment and function in animal models.
• Collaborate with internal and external partners on experimental execution, analytical characterization, and cross-functional scientific strategy.
• Lead milestone planning, sponsor reporting, and program reviews for projects in the hepatocyte workstream.
• May serve as lead author on publications.
• Advance translation of findings and contribute to actionable translation approaches and intellectual property strategy with the Office of Technology Development.
• Identify and develop internal and external cross-functional partnerships.
• Communicate progress, technical risks, and recommendations to Professor Chen, program leadership, and partner investigators.
• May supervise technicians and mentor and train research assistants, students, and scientists in hepatocyte culture, engineering, and characterization.
• May receive PI rights on multiple grants and contribute to grant writing, including proposals that extend the program's capabilities.
• Plan and maintain budgets for applicable workstream projects.
• Produce study protocols, standard operating procedures, analyses, reports, and manuscripts.
• Maintain rigorous records of methods, cell lots, and results consistent with translational and regulated development expectations.
• Support safe and efficient laboratory operations, recommend equipment purchases, and manage supply procurement as needed.

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.
• Gym reimbursements.
• Mentorship and support for professional growth and development.

What This Job Offers

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