Research Assistant III - Organ-on-Chip

About the role:

We are looking for a Research Assistant III to join the Lung Organ on Chip team in Dr. Don Ingber's laboratory. We use advanced Lung Organ Chip models to recapitulate key aspects of human lung physiology and pathophysiology and to study lung cancer progression, tumor-immune interactions, respiratory infections, inflammatory lung diseases, 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 Senior Scientist leading the team, you will execute and help optimize experiments using lung cancer and lung infection Organ Chips; culture and maintain primary and established human lung cell types and co culture systems; and assist in developing, troubleshooting, and standardizing human lung 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.

What you'll do:

• Isolate and culture human lung cells with guidance from the lung organ on chip team. Collaborate with team members to set up different types of cocultures.
• Perform microfluidic organ-on-chip experiments, including primary alveolar and endothelial cell culture and chip maintenance, in support of lung-on-chip experiments
• Execute and contribute to the design of endpoint assays including, but not limited to: Luminex assays, permeability assays and viability analysis, imaging, qPCR, 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.
• 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