Research Assistant II – Fluid Biomarker Diagnostics

Grade: 053 Department: Research Technicians FLSA Status: Non-exempt 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 .

About you: 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 are looking for a motivated, enthusiastic Research Assistant II to join our team. You will help develop new diagnostic technologies for profiling clinically relevant biomarkers in human biofluids using cutting edge, ultra-sensitive approaches. A major focus of this position will be FEMOx, an ARPA-H-funded project to develop a rapid, non-invasive platform to assess fetal oxygenation risk. This position is for someone who is excited about science and enjoys working at the bench. You will work within a team and receive significant experimental training in both new and established techniques for profiling isolating and analyzing biomarkers from human biofluids. You will also make weekly presentations and provide updates of project data to the larger Wyss team, and prepare regular written summaries which will be integrated into project reports.

Support the FEMOx project by optimizing and running assays to isolate, enrich, and characterize target biomarkers from biological samples with guidance from senior staff. With supervision from senior staff, help design and execute experiments for the development of new diagnostic technologies and biomarker assays using human biofluids. Perform molecular and biochemical assays to analyze RNA and protein targets under the supervision of senior staff. Assist with the development and testing of microfluidic workflows for ultrasensitive biomarker detection. Support the preparation of experimental data, summaries, and presentation materials for regular ARPA-H project meetings. With guidance from senior staff, attend and present data or progress updates at meetings within the Wyss Institute, including ARPA-H project meetings. Order supplies and perform support and lab maintenance activities.

What you'll need: College background in biological science or related field and one or more years of lab experience in molecular biology or biochemistry is required. Higher education may count towards years of experience. Additional Qualifications and Skills: Bachelor’s degree in a biological science or related field is strongly preferred. Two or more years of research experience is