Postdoctoral Fellow - Transdifferentiation Stemcell

Harvard University

Harvard University

USD 72k-77,500 / year

Posted on May 12, 2026
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Position

Details
Title Postdoctoral Fellow - Transdifferentiation Stemcell
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 Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering at Harvard University seeks outstanding postdoctoral fellow applicants to join a collaborative research team focused on developing screening technologies, specifically to develop a massively parallel screening platform to discover orthogonal protein binders. In addition to carrying out research, the successful candidate will be expected to apply for fellowship funding, contribute to the writing of grants and manuscripts, participate in teaching and mentoring of lab members as needed, and otherwise contribute to overall lab operations. The applicant will be a collaborative, impact-focused problem solver who wants to be part of a dynamic team.

Information about the Church Lab: Learn more about the innovative work led by Dr. George Church here: https://churchlab.hms.harvard.edu/, https://arep.med.harvard.edu/

What you’ll do:
  • Independently conduct research to develop genome-scale functional genomic screening platforms for discovering, validating, and characterizing regulators of cellular phenotypes.
  • Design, fabricate, optimize, and operate microfluidic systems for high-throughput biological assays, including droplet generation, cell encapsulation, cell pairing, cell fusion, imaging, or compartmentalized screening.
  • Develop and apply mammalian cell-based screening workflows using relevant cellular systems, which may include primary human cells, immortalized cell lines, iPSCs, iPSC-derived cells, or transdifferentiation models.
  • Build, optimize, and analyze molecular and cellular reporter systems, including fluorescent, genetic, transcriptional, epigenetic, or functional readouts for scalable screening.
  • Integrate experimental workflows with quantitative imaging, sequencing-based readouts, computational analysis, or machine-learning-enabled image analysis.
  • Present experimental results and project updates at internal and external meetings, contribute to strategy discussions, and help identify new technical directions.
  • Contribute technical knowledge, preliminary data, figures, and written sections to fellowship applications, grants, manuscripts, and other scientific communications.
Additional Information:
  • We encourage candidates to apply by June 1, 2026.
  • 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.

Not ready to apply? Join our talent community with this link here!
Basic Qualifications
What you’ll Need:
  • Ph.D. or equivalent degree in Biology, Bioengineering, Biological Engineering, or a related field.
  • Strong record of independent research productivity, including the ability to design experiments, troubleshoot complex systems, interpret results, and drive projects forward.
  • Hands-on experience with mammalian cell culture and cellular engineering, preferably including primary human cells, iPSCs, differentiated cell types, transdifferentiation systems, or other advanced cellular models.
  • Experience developing, optimizing, or applying high-throughput biological assays, genome-scale functional genomic screens, pooled or arrayed screening systems, reporter assays, or functional selection platforms.
  • Familiarity with molecular cloning, viral delivery, genome engineering, perturbation systems, inducible expression systems, or related approaches for building and testing cellular tools.
  • Strong quantitative skills and comfort analyzing complex biological datasets, imaging data, sequencing data, screening outputs, or other high-dimensional experimental results.
  • Excellent written and oral communication skills, with the ability to work collaboratively across disciplines and contribute to presentations, manuscripts, grants, and fellowship applications.
Additional Qualifications
Desirable Skills:
  • Experience designing, fabricating, and operating microfluidic devices, especially for droplet microfluidics, cell encapsulation, cell pairing, compartmentalized assays, live imaging, or screening workflows.
  • Experience with soft lithography, CAD-based microfluidic design, photolithography, PDMS device fabrication, surface treatment, flow control, and microscopy-based device characterization.
  • Experience with primary human cell culture, fibroblasts, stem cell systems, iPSC culture, iPSC differentiation, or transdifferentiation.
  • Deep knowledge of aging biology, cellular rejuvenation, epigenetic age, reprogramming, senescence, differentiation trajectories, or cell-state stability.
  • Experience building or using fluorescent reporter systems, split reporters, transcriptional reporters, live-cell imaging assays, nuclear or cytoplasmic markers, or microscopy-based quantitative readouts.
  • Experience with viral vectors, inducible expression systems, CRISPR-based perturbation, pooled libraries, barcoding, sequencing-based screens, or massively multiplexed experimental designs.
  • Experience developing computational workflows for image analysis, object detection, segmentation, machine learning, or automated quantification of microscopy data.
Special Instructions
Applications should contain:
  • A complete CV
  • Cover letter describing research interests and goals
  • Full list of publications, and copies of up to three relevant scientific papers
  • A list of names and contact information of three references uploaded via a PDF/word doc (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, Microfuidic, Bioengineering, Postdoctoral Fellow

EEO/Non-Discrimination Commitment Statement

Harvard University is committed to equal opportunity and non-discrimination. We seek talent from all parts of society and the world, and we strive to ensure everyone at Harvard thrives. Our differences help our community advance Harvard’s academic purposes.

Harvard has an equal employment opportunity policy that outlines our commitment to prohibiting discrimination on the basis of race, ethnicity, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status, religion, disability, or any other characteristic protected by law or identified in the university’s non-discrimination policy. Harvard’s equal employment opportunity policy and non-discrimination policy help all community members participate fully in work and campus life free from harassment and discrimination.

Supplemental Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

  1. How did you hear about this position?
    • Academic Careers online
    • Bay State Banner
    • Chronicle of Higher Education
    • Harvard Department Website
    • Higher Education Recruitment Consortium (HERC)
    • HigherEdJobs
    • Inside Higher Ed
    • Nomination Letter
    • Professional Conference
    • Professional Organization or Listserv
    • Referred by a colleague
  2. Do you hold a doctoral degree?
    • Yes
    • No
  3. Please indicate year of completed PH.D.

    (Open Ended Question)

  4. Are you authorized to work in the United States?
    • Yes
    • No
  5. Do you require immediate sponsorship for employment visa status?
    • Yes
    • No
  6. Do you require future sponsorship for employment visa status?
    • Yes
    • No

Applicant Documents

Required Documents
  1. Curriculum Vitae
  2. Cover Letter
  3. Publication
  4. List of References
Optional Documents
  1. Publication 2
  2. Publication 3
  3. Other
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