Scientist I- Brain Targeting Program

at  Harvard University

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.

DESIRED SKILLS:

• PhD in neuroscience, biology, molecular biology, biochemistry, or related fields strongly preferred.
• Full time post-graduate experience with a focus on product development is preferred.
• Ability to work independently as well as to collaborate with a multidisciplinary group.

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 development of our brain shuttle-mediated oligonucleotide platform, and to optimize our shuttles for oligonucleotide payloads in neurodegenerative diseases. 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, along with other therapeutic applications of our shuttles.

WHAT YOU’LL DO:

• Optimize shuttles for therapeutic oligo payloads in specific disease conditions; select mouse disease models and validate novel shuttle-ASO fusion drugs in models of ALS, Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease and others
• Contribute to the brain shuttle-mediated oligonucelotide delivery platform development.
• Choose and adapt ASO production approaches from the public domain and prepare material either in-house or with a CRO.
• Work with CROs to perform conjugation of ASOs with antibody shuttles, with traditional or novel conjugation chemistry(ies).
• Design and execute in vitro and in vivo mouse studies to optimize and validate shuttle-oligonucelotide conjugates. Readouts include but are not limited to, brain and blood PK studies, knockdown efficacy in brain and other tissues, and safety.
• 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
• Perform in vitro and in vivo assay development to support the shuttle platform and shuttle-oligo platform.
• Present data and results at meetings internally and externally
• Demonstrates a commitment to diversity, inclusion, and cultural awareness through actions, interactions, and communications with others