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 are a visionary, strategically minded scientific leader with deep expertise in translational science, therapeutic or diagnostic development, molecular or cellular biology. You thrive in interdisciplinary environments and excel at driving programs from concept to preclinical readiness while shaping strategic direction. You enjoy partnering with research and colleagues to integrate wet-lab insights with advanced analytical methods. You are impact-driven and energized by transforming innovative technologies into real-world solutions.

About this Role:

As Senior Scientist, you will provide scientific, operational, and development expertise across multiple Artzi-lab initiatives, guiding technology de-risking and translation for therapeutic innovations. Reporting to the Principal Scientist, you will join cross-functional research teams, mentor scientific staff and collaborate with clinical, industry, and business development partners to accelerate translation while ensuring operational excellence and strategic alignment with the Wyss Institute.

What you'll do:

Natalie Artzi Lab

• Contribute to multiple projects that include both academic and staff employees, industry sponsors, industry co-development partners, state and federal funding and academic collaborations.
• Lead scientific execution, experiment planning and analysis, and translational direction across multiple therapeutic and platform technologies.
• Guide assay development, molecular or cellular characterization, in vivo studies, and data interpretation to demonstrate feasibility and accelerate technology maturation.
• Drive translational de-risking by shaping key studies, identifying scientific opportunities, and aligning research efforts with program goals.
• Collaborate with internal and external partners on experimental execution, analytical characterization, and cross-functional scientific strategy.
• Partner with intellectual property teams to develop novel and impactful patent filings.
• Apply core Artzi Lab technologies, tools, and scientific approaches, and help integrate them into broader translational strategy.

Program and Team Leadership

• Mentor a team of graduate students, research assistants, and less experienced scientists providing guidance across experimental and translational domains. Responsibilities include: professional development and mentoring, evaluating performance, advocating and motivating.
• Lead cross-functional project teams and ensure that program milestones are met with scientific rigor and strategic clarity.
• Build strong relationships with faculty, clinicians, collaborators, and business development professionals to advance program goals.
• Help forge partnerships with clinicians across Harvard-affiliated hospitals and support integration of patient-derived insights into research and development.

External Engagement and Translation

• Develop and refine translational strategies that incorporate scientific, computational, regulatory, and commercial considerations.
• Engage with industry partners, clinical collaborators, and philanthropic organizations to position technologies for successful translation.
• Participate in building collaborative opportunities that bring new expertise, datasets, or analytical capabilities into Wyss programs.
• Communicate program updates, risks, and strategic recommendations to senior Wyss leadership and stakeholders.
• Engage with partnering hospitals to leverage patient data and clinical needs to inform scientific strategy.
• Contribute to grant writing and help build relationships with external partners, including companies and foundations.

Individual Scientific Contribution

• Conduct experiments and studies that support ongoing research in the Artzi Lab. These could include formulation/nanoparticle preparation and related characterization as well in vitro and cell-based experiments, and in vivo and ex vivo studies including biomarker assays.
• Conduct data analysis on all experiments performed and communicate data/results to the larger team
• Produce high-quality scientific documents, including study protocols, analyses, and reports.
• Support safe and efficient lab operations, recommend equipment purchases, and manage supply procurement as needed

Qualifications

What you'll need:

• Master's degree in Biology, Bioengineering, Biomedical Science, Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Molecular biology, Immunology, or related field required.
• A minimum of 6 years of relevant experience required.

Desirable skills:

• PhD strongly preferred
• Excellent interpersonal, analytical, and communication skills;
• Full-time post graduate industry experience with a focus on product development is preferred.
• Proven track record leading complex scientific programs and advancing technologies toward translational or commercial milestones.
• Demonstrated ability to mentor scientists across experimental disciplines.
• Strong foundation in cellular biology, assay development, in vivo studies, PK/PD studies, analytical characterization, or related areas relevant to translational science.
• Strong foundation in molecular biology, with a particular expertise in RNAi, SiRNA, CRISPR/Cas9
• Experience with biologics engineering, biomolecular assay development, or translational evaluation of emerging technologies.
• Knowledge and experience in lipid nanoparticle formulation, microneedle and hydrogel delivery preferred
• Strong background and scientific experience in oncology, immunology, and/or cardiometabolic disease preferred
• Familiarity with multi-omics data, imaging analysis, or predictive modeling is beneficial but not required.
• Ability to integrate diverse scientific approaches-experimental and computational-to inform program strategy.
• Strong record of working with external partners to shape program direction and support high impact collaborations.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including technical writing, strategic communication, and presenting to senior audiences.
• Demonstrated success in generating impactful intellectual property and contributing to commercialization efforts.

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, Occupational Health Screening

Other Information: Offer contingent on successful completion of medical evaluation