The Wyss Institute at Harvard University is a research and development engine for disruptive innovation powered by bioinspired technologies with visionary people at its heart. Our Mission Our mission is to transform healthcare and the environment by developing innovative technologies that emulate the way Nature builds
and accelerate their translation into commercial products through the formation of startups and corporate partnerships to bring about positive near-term impact in the world. Our Model Our unique model of technology translation breaks down the traditional silos of academia and barriers with industry
enabling our world-leading visionary faculty to collaborate creatively across our focus areas of diagnostics
therapeutics
medtech
and sustainability. We have 8 enabling Platforms and Initiatives. AboutTeamAboutJoin Us Our Story Since our founding in 2009
we have demonstrated our ability to generate a pipeline of groundbreaking ideas and invent breakthrough technologies that address global challenges in healthcare and the environment through interdisciplinary collaboration
both within Harvard and through partnerships with leading institutions in the Boston/Cambridge ecosystem and around the world. Our Values Our Wyss Community Values represent the ideals that we as an Institute hope to embody and foster across all levels of our organization and were decided upon collectively through extensive input from all team members. We excel in embodying some of these values
while others represent our aspirations
illustrating the ideal work culture we aim to achieve and are actively working towards. Our Wyss Values PUBLICATIONS 2
987 PATENT FILINGS 4
421 LICENSES 135 STARTUPS 63 Our Technologies Our technologies are developed through strategic partnerships with industry
government
foundations
investors and philanthropists
and they are rapidly brought to the marketplace through licensing agreements and the creation of new startups. By harnessing the ingenuity of our 12 Core and 14 Associate Faculty
the Wyss Institute enables a significant portion of all intellectual property and startups that emerge from Harvard annually
with more than 1
440 issued patents
135 licensing agreements
and 63 startups launched since our inception.We employ a unique model of technology translation within academia. Technologies conceived in our research laboratories are refined and de-risked technically and commercially by our Advanced Technology and Business Development teams. Our technologies are licensed to newly-founded startup companies or industry partners to bring about positive
near-term impact in the world. How We WorkCurrent OpportunitiesHow We WorkPast Successes Idea Generation There is no greater creative cauldron than the skunkworks of academia. We turbocharge it to fuel our technology pipeline. Concept Refinement Ideas that pop up spontaneously in our labs are selected based on input from our staff with industrial experience and business development teams
as well as our strategic intellectual property group. Greater resources are provided to those technologies that survive through natural selection. Technology Validation Technologies that have market potential are initially de-risked. Teams leverage technical
business development
and intellectual property expertise at the Institute to start moving projects from the benchtop toward the market. Technology Optimization Technologies with the greatest potential value and ability to bring about transformative change are further de-risked technically and commercially by our multi-faceted collaborative teams
increasing their likelihood of succeed in the market. Commercialization Our Entrepreneurs-in-Residence or other members of our business development team engage investors and industrial partners
and working with Harvard’s Office of Technology Development
negotiate license agreements and launch new startups. Technology Refinement Our most valuable and disruptive technologies with real-world potential advance through our Technology Innovation Funnel
and are matured through our Validation Project and Institute Project programs. Validation Projects Validation Projects identify technologies with potential high-impact applications that have successfully progressed through significant concept refinement and meet predefined technical
product development and intellectual property criteria. In these projects
technologies are further de-risked technically while business development expertise is integrated into the effort so that the applicability and market potential of the technology can be further validated while adhering to a rigorous timeline with specific milestones. Institute Projects Institute Projects support technologies that are considerably de-risked and the development teams have received feedback from investors and industry partners
identifying how the technology should be further advanced technically and commercially to warrant funding and ensure near-term commercial success. Funds can be requested to recruit entrepreneurs-in-residence with domain-specific expertise to help lead the team as well as to carry out late stage validation efforts
including reducing costs of manufacturing
demonstrating clinician buy-in
conducting regulatory and market analyses
and carrying out Phase I clinical trials. EXPLORE VALIDATION & INSTITUTE PROJECTS Industrial Partnerships We create alliances with industry partners whose strong market expertise
technological depth
and commercial interests in a particular industry sector complement our unique capabilities and leverage our technological innovations. The insights and technology advances that result from these multi-faceted partnerships ensure that our development efforts are guided by and address real-world problems
needs
and applications
and successful collaborations lead to licensing agreements for product commercialization. Skills & Qualifications • Ability to work independently and efficiently. • Strong organizational and task prioritization skills. • Excellent communication skills and proficiency in performing administrative and clerical tasks. • Proficient in general laboratory procedures
techniques
and documentation. • Willingness to learn and adapt to new techniques and technologies. • Fluent in English
Spanish
French
and Catalan. • Proficient in statistical analysis and software such as SPSS
MATLAB
and Python. • Proficient in using various software programs
including Microsoft Office Suite (Word
Excel
PowerPoint). • Advanced knowledge and experience in 3D cell culture techniques. • Skilled in protein isolation
Western Blot
PCR
rt-qPCR
toxicity testing
IHC
Northern Blot
and ELISA. • Proficient in anatomical dissection studies for medical and veterinary purposes. • Experienced in static analysis of behavioral data and microarray data. • Familiarity with electrophysiology
imaging
protein purification
and optical and electron microscopy techniques. • Advanced level proficiency in conducting animal experiments
behavioral experiments
anatomical dissection
and molecular analysis.Job Summary About Us: 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 you: You are a collaborative
impact-focused problem solver who wants to be part of a dynamic team dedicated to creating and commercializing novel approaches to global challenges in healthcare and sustainability. You want the opportunity to explore your scientific interests and apply your knowledge to tackle ambitious projects in a fast-paced
entrepreneurial-minded environment with resources and support from top-notch scientific
operations
and administrative professionals. You enjoy working with highly motivated
diverse teams and leveraging your expertise to create innovations that can change the world. About the Role: The Wyss Institute’s Brain Targeting Program (BTP)
co-led by James Gorman
M.D.
Ph.D. and Donald Ingber
M.D.
Ph.D.
is developing brain delivery technologies that enable development of safer and more effective brain-targeted therapeutics for diverse brain diseases. Our brain delivery platform enables these therapeutic advances by dramatically improving transport of drugs across the blood-brain barrier (BBB) into the brain. We are looking for a talented Scientist to support the discovery and validation of our antibody brain shuttles and to lead the development of our brain shuttle-mediated oligonucleotide platform. Reporting to the Principal Scientist
you will work closely with our team using both in vitro cellular systems and in vivo humanized mouse models to optimize oligonucleotide delivery. Position Description What you'll do: Support in vitro and in vivo validation of brain shuttles
using protein and cell binding assays
and in vivo brain and blood pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamic (PK/PD) studies in mouse models. Lead brain shuttle-mediated ASO delivery platform development. Choose and adapt ASO production approaches from the public domain and prepare material either in-house or with a CRO. Perform conjugation of ASOs with antibody shuttles
with traditional or novel conjugation chemisty(ies). Design mouse studies for shuttle-ASO validation; prepare and analyze mouse tissues and blood for PK/PD analysis. Select appropriate mouse disease models and validate novel shuttle-ASO fusion drugs in models of Alzheimer’s disease
Parkinson’s disease
ALS and others. Develop
validate
and perform various protocols including confocal microscopy
flow cytometry
cell-based assays
plate-based ELISA assays
and others. Analyze and interpret experimental data
learn new skills
troubleshoot
and contribute intellectually to projects. Present data and results at meetings internally and externally. Perform support activities and lab maintenance as assigned
and function in a team-oriented environment with other scientists and staff at the Institute as well as external collaborators. Supervise and train junior scientists
academic trainees
and others Demonstrates a commitment to diversity
inclusion
and cultural awareness through actions
interactions
and communications with others Basic Qualifications What you'll need: Bachelor’s degree in neuroscience
biology
molecular biology
biochemistry
or related field. A minimum of 5 years of experience with ASO chemistry and conjugation
cell culture
rodent handling
and molecular and cellular biology techniques such as ELISA
western blotting
confocal imaging
fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS)
or related experience. Advanced education may count towards years of experience. Additional Qualifications and Skills