Research Scientist

The Ryan lab is seeking a full-time Research Scientist (Infectious Diseases) at MGH Main Campus. Focus of the Ryan lab is vaccine development and analyzing immune responses during infection, including during cholera, shigellosis and typhoid fever. This position will be responsible for designing and studies relating to host-pathogen interactions, immune analysis, and vaccine development and evaluation against enteric infection, especially shigellosis and cholera. The position in the lab will include working with an internationally recognized, highly collaborative, and multidisciplinary team of investigators from Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, and Harvard School of Public Health with international collaborators in Bangladesh, Pakistan, and Nepal. Focus areas include:

• Microbiology
• Antigen preparation
• Tissue culture work
• Organoid work
• Immunologic analyses
• Animal work (murine, including vaccine administration, immunologic sampling and microbiologic challenging)

As a Research Scientist you will be contributing to research study design, data analysis, scientific information dissemination through conference presentations and publications, training, and leading and/or mentoring junior staff. This position requires the abilities to meet project deadlines and research objectives, work independently with minimal supervision, and collaborate effectively with domestic and international researchers. The Research Scientist would assist with related laboratory management issues.

Please note: this position is based in Boston and does not involve international travel.

**When applying, please attach both a cover letter and resume.**

PRINCIPAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Duties and Responsibilities: Under direction from the Principal Investigator, the Research Scientist will be responsible for the following activities, including, but not limited to:

• Independently designs and carry out investigations and analyses in shigella and cholera-related research projects. Including those related to:
  • Microbiology (including growing bacterial cultures, cloning, antigen preparation)
  • Biomedical assays and techniques (e.g. cell/tissue processing and maintenance, cloning, DNA and RNA extraction, quantitative PCR)
  • Microscopy
  • Use of organoid model systems
  • Immunological assays (ELISA, western blot, flow cytometry)
  • Specimen and sample preparation
  • Evaluation of candidate vaccines in animal models (murine)
  
  

• Plans, develops, coordinates, and directs new and existing projects related to shigella and cholera-related research projects.
• Supervises, coordinates, and reviews the work of study staff, research consultants, and undergraduate and graduate students
• Organize and conduct research group meetings.
• Track deliverables and plan work to meet expected timelines.
• Write conference abstracts and scientific manuscripts.
• Support and lead grant writing.
• Manage specimen transfer and testing, ensuring all regulatory standards are met.
• Manage corresponding data sets and repositories.
• Assist with any pertinent laboratory management issues

POSITION REQUIREMENTS/DEGREE EXPERIENCE

• Master's Degree in Public Health, Epidemiology, or other health-related field
• 3 years of experience in pertinent life-science and other health-related field

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Skills, knowledge, and experience working in bench microbiology and immunology.
• PhD in microbiology, immunology, or comparable field
• Excellent communication and writing skills
• Excellent organizational and project management skills
• Ability to work independently
• Excellent computer skills with knowledge of MS Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint (or similar packages)
• Proficient in analysis and coding with statistical software packages (Stata, R, SAS, etc)
• Excellent judgment and interpersonal skills with proven ability for effective cross-cultural communication