Research Assistant III - Biosensors and Microfluidics

Company Description

By working at Harvard University, you join a vibrant community that advances Harvard's world-changing mission in meaningful ways, inspires innovation and collaboration, and builds skills and expertise. We are dedicated to creating a diverse and welcoming environment where everyone can thrive.

Why join the Wyss Institute at Harvard University?

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.

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.

We're looking for a Research Assistant to join our team, focusing on developing new diagnostic devices. This involves creating electrochemical and optical assays, fabricating sensors, and integrating them into innovative diagnostic tools. You'll report to the group leader and Senior Engineer and learn advanced microfabrication techniques to build devices that use small sample volumes, deliver rapid results, and handle high throughput.

A key part of your role will be addressing the challenges of microfluidics and integrating various sensitive detection methods into a single device. This is a great opportunity to learn new skills, contribute to assay development, and intellectually contribute to projects within a collaborative team at the Institute.

• Device Design & Fabrication: Collaborate with staff in designing and microfabricating devices, contributing to bioanalytical assay development, and platform testing.
• Experimental Support: Collaborate with academic staff to design experiments and benchmark the bioanalytical sensing system against conventional assays (e.g., ELISA, PCR).
• Lab Operations: Manage supply orders and maintain lab spaces, including microfabrication and makerspace areas.
• Research Documentation: Support project reports, manuscripts, and patent application preparation.
• Data Presentation & Analysis: Under staff supervision, present findings, document meeting discussions, and contribute to data interpretation at Wyss Institute meetings.
• Logistical Coordination: Assist in organizing lab activities and events.

• Bachelor’s degree in Biochemistry, Analytical Chemistry, Mechanical Engineering or related field is required.
• A minimum of 2 years of lab experience involving the development of biosensors and/or microfluidics is required. Advanced education may count towards years of experience.

• Master’s degree in Chemistry, Engineering, Biochemistry or Bioengineering is preferred.
• Candidates with previous experience in biosensing, microfluidics design, microfabrication (e.g. photolithography, metal patterning, soft lithography, rapid prototyping), electrochemical sensing (e.g. amperometry, potentiometry, impedance), optical sensing (e.g. colorimetry, SPR, fluorescence, chemiluminescence), bioassay development (e.g. antibody, DNA or enzyme based), mechanical engineering (3D design, printing), and/or electrical engineering is strongly preferred.
• Ability to work well independently and to collaborate with a multidisciplinary group is essential.
• Proficiency with personal computers and applicable software…