"Senior Scientist I"

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.

Job Description

About you:

You have a passion for translational research and want to be a part of a dynamic team dedicated to the design, development and translation of novel sensing and materials platforms within a highly interdisciplinary research environment. You enjoy working with diverse groups of people and leveraging your expertise to support and advance nanotechnology-enabled therapeutics, diagnostics, biosensing and sustainability-focused technologies. You thrive in a fast-paced work environment.

About the Role:

Reporting to the Principal Scientist and in coordination with Wyss Faculty, you will lead the sensor platform development to ensure that deliverables are met and bring your technology translation expertise to diverse biomedical, environmental and bio-inspired engineering domains. You will develop innovative materials that are optimized not only for performance, but importantly for scalability, manufacturability, and cost-effective production.

What you'll do:

• Provide intellectual leadership and technical direction for the design, optimization, and validation of chemical sensing elements and materials platforms; Define and drive the scientific strategy for sensing-element development across multiple technical aims, ensuring alignment with performance requirements, system-level constraints, and sponsored-research deliverables.
• Manages validation and sponsored projects ensuring workflows are running efficiently and project goals and milestones are achieved.
• Design and execute experiments, interpreting complex multi-parameter datasets, and iterating materials and sensor concepts based on figures of merit such as sensitivity, selectivity, stability, reusability, and calibration requirements; Lead efforts to integrate sensing materials into sensor arrays and device architectures, including PCB-level integration and collaboration with AI, microfluidics, and data-analysis experts to enable modular and tunable sensing systems.
• Develop and optimize chemical processes and materials formulations with a strong emphasis on scalability, cost reduction, manufacturability, and sustainability, ensuring that sensing technologies can transition beyond proof-of-concept prototypes.
• Establish best practices for documentation, experimental planning, and knowledge transfer, supporting continuity across team members and projects: Mentor and may supervise junior researchers contributing to a collaborative, curious, and rigorous research culture within the lab and the broader Wyss ecosystem.
• Contribute to writing research proposals and reports, abstracts, grants and patent submissions: providing text, critical data & figures.
• Leverage deep expertise and experimental rigor in nanostructured materials, nanoparticles, functional polymers, surface chemistry, and multiscale materials characterization, to support and advance other high-impact Wyss Institute technology platforms; Collaborates regularly with other Wyss researchers, industry experts, business development and other stakeholders.

Qualifications

What you'll need:

• Advanced degree required in Chemistry, Materials Science, Applied Physics or related field.
• A minimum of 6 years of experience in chemical sensing, functional materials, polymers, surface chemistry, and nanomaterials. required. A PhD may count towards years of experience.

Desirable Skills:

• Full-time post graduate industry experience with a focus on product development is preferred.
• A PhD in Chemistry, Materials Science, or Applied Physics is strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated expertise in materials synthesis, development, and characterization, including techniques such as SEM, TEM, XPS, DLS, BET, XRD, TGA, and related methods.
• Proven ability to translate early-stage scientific concepts into functional prototypes and applied systems.
• Strong communication, organizational, and leadership skills, with experience coordinating work across multiple disciplines.

Additional Information

• Standard Hours/Schedule: 35 hours per week
• Visa Sponsorship Information: Harvard University is unable to provide visa sponsorship for this position
• Pre-Employment Screening: Identity, Education.

Why you’ll like working with us:

At the Wyss Institute, you’re a member of a supportive, dynamic community that is united by its shared goal of changing the world through groundbreaking technology development and commercialization. We encourage your professional growth and development through mentorship and tuition reimbursement to support continued learning, and more. We also support your physical, financial, and mental well-being through generous time off benefits, gym reimbursements, and other programs offered through Harvard. Our facility is located in a new, state-of-the-art life sciences building in the lively Fenway neighborhood, where you have access to multiple amenities including a roof top terrace with stunning views of Boston and proximity to numerous restaurants and cultural attractions. We value an inclusive and diverse workforce, and believe that our differences enrich the work environment for all.

Work Format Details

This position has been determined by school or unit leaders that some of the duties and responsibilities can be effectively performed at a non-Harvard location. The work schedule and location will be set by the department at its discretion and based upon operational needs. When not working at a Harvard or Harvard-designated location, employees in hybrid positions must work in a Harvard registered state in compliance with the University’s Policy on Employment Outside of Massachusetts. Additional details will be discussed during the interview process. Certain visa types and funding sources may limit work location. Individuals must meet work location sponsorship requirements prior to employment.

Salary Grade and Ranges

This position is salary grade level 058. Please visit Harvard's Salary Ranges to view the corresponding salary range and related information.

Benefits

Harvard offers a comprehensive benefits package that is designed to support a healthy work-life balance and your physical, mental and financial wellbeing. Because here, you are what matters. Our benefits include, but are not limited to:

• 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

Learn more about these and additional benefits on our Benefits & Wellbeing Page.

EEO/Non-Discrimination Commitment Statement

Harvard University is committed to equal opportunity and non-discrimination. We seek talent from all parts of society and the world, and we strive to ensure everyone at Harvard thrives. Our differences help our community advance Harvard's academic purposes.