Harvard University

Title Postdoctoral Fellow – Cellular Microenvironments / Vascularized Tissue Development. School Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering Department/Area Position Description

About the Wyss:

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 this Role:

The lab of Chris Chen, M.D., Ph.D., William Fairfield Warren Distinguished Professor and Founding Director of the Biological Design Center at Boston University, as well as Core Faculty at the Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering at Harvard University, seeks outstanding postdoctoral applicants with knowledge and expertise encompassing engineered cellular microenvironments and vascularized functional tissue development.

The project focuses on investigating the development of an engineered product to address liver failure. The proposed solution is built on several next generation technologies, including tools to drive inducible pluripotent stem cell differentiation into all required cells of the liver, immune engineering to allow allogeneic cells to evade immune rejection, bioreactors to facilitate manufacturing and maturation of cells and engineered tissues at low cost, and simple biofabrication technologies to build clinical-scale constructs.

Learn more about the innovative work led by Dr. Chris Chen here:

https://bdc.bu.edu/bdc-team/.

What you’ll do:

• Independently conduct research on liver cell proliferation, expansion, and engineering to support engrafting and vascularizing constructs in vitro and in vivo.
• Characterize the comparative hepatobiology of iPS-derived liver cells.
• Present experimental results and project updates at both internal and external meetings.
• Contribute to recommendations on next steps for experiments while also taking an active role overall Program strategy and alignment with the sponsor’s contractual requirements.
• Work closely with a collaborative multi-disciplinary team of scientists, engineers, and technical staff.
• Maintain comprehensive and accurate records of experimental procedures, results, and analysis.
• Support project reports, manuscripts, and patent application preparation.

Additional Information:

• We encourage candidates to apply by November 7, 2025.
• Duration: This is a one-year term position from the date of hire, with the possibility of extension, contingent upon work performance, business need, and continued funding to support the position.

Salary and Benefits:

• This position is salaried and benefits eligible. Information regarding postdoctoral fellow salary, which is determined by the number of years post PhD, and benefits can be found at https://postdoc.hms.harvard.edu/guidelines.
• With this appointment, you are represented by the Harvard Academic Workers (HAW) – UAW for purposes of collective bargaining and matters affecting your compensation and working conditions.
• Access to Harvard’s libraries and research core facilities, as well as support from the Wyss’s in-house Clinical & Translational Research Core and Machine Shop.
• Robust administrative and operational support for office and lab needs.
• Availability of flexible work arrangements for some administrative positions dependent on Institute needs.
• Newly constructed office and laboratory space in Boston’s Fenway District. Our space has multiple amenities which include: roof top terrace, fitness center, locker room, bike storage, and close proximity to numerous restaurants and cultural attractions.

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. 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.

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Basic Qualifications

What you’ll Need:

• Ph.D. in Biomedical/Medical Engineering with a track record of research in tissue engineering.
• Ability to work in an independent manner and meet specific goals and milestones, but serve as part of large collaborative interdisciplinary team.
• Extensive experience with liver cell therapy and engineered tissue scale-up/ expansion for the treatment of liver failure.

Additional Qualifications

Desirable Skills:·

• Exceptional organizational, technical writing abilities, and record-keeping skills
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Highly motivated, detail-oriented, organized, and able to take initiative
• Familiarity with stem cell biology and tissue vascularization
• Proficiency with genetic engineering, culture, implantation and monitoring of 3D liver tissues
• Expertise in in situ expansion and remote control of implanted liver cell therapy behavior

Special Instructions

Applications should contain:

• A complete resume.
• Cover letter describing research interests and goals.
• Full list of publications, and copies of up to three relevant scientific papers.
• Names and contact information of three references (expected to provide letters of recommendation).

Contact Information

Wyss Institute Academic Affairs

Academic.Affairs@wyss.harvard.edu

Contact Email Academic.Affairs@wyss.harvard.edu Salary Range

Starting Salary of $72,000 to $ 77,500 depending on experience

Minimum Number of References Required Maximum Number of References Allowed Keywords

Wyss Institute, Electrochemical Biosensor Development, Bioengineering, Airborne Infectious Disease