Research Scientist I - Cardiovascular Disease Initiative

The Broad Institute of MIT & Harvard, a world leader in genetic research, is looking for an exceptional candidate to join the Cardiovascular Disease Initiative (CVDi) led by Dr. Patrick Ellinor. The successful candidate will join an interdisciplinary team of computational biologists, laboratory scientists, industry collaborators, and clinicians and will work closely with other Research Scientists.

The team works together to identify and validate new genes associated with various cardiovascular diseases. The candidate will work as a member of the Cardiovascular Disease Initiative and will conduct experimental research studies at the bench, supervise a research associate, and lead therapeutics project(s) targeting cardiovascular disease.

Example workstreams for projects include: validating genes and proteins of interest using various in vitro techniques, developing and validating in vitro disease models, assessing suitability of genes for assay development, carrying out in vitro experiments to understand the biology behind target gene functions.

Key responsibilities

• Design and execute research plans to ensure that critical project requirements, timelines and deliverables are met with minimal guidance from Senior Research Scientist.

• Develop and execute cell-based assays to support target validation and hit identification & optimization

• Contribute to target validation using genomic perturbation techniques such as CRISPR, siRNA, etc.

• Troubleshoot scientific problems with minimal guidance

• Analyze experimental data and communicate scientific results to team members

• Supervise and mentor Research Associate(s) and junior team members

• Contribute to various research projects in a collaborative manner

Requirements

• Ph.D. in Biology (Developmental, Molecular, Cellular Biology), Biochemistry, or related life science field with 0-3 years experience in an industrial or academic setting with a proven record of successful interaction with external collaborators and team members

• Hands-on experience in cellular assay development and proficiency with standard assay formats (e.g. imaging, luminescence-/fluorescence-based cellular readouts, immunohistochemistry, Western blotting) in primary and cultured cells

• Experience with induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) culture and cardiomyocyte differentiation is preferred

• Experience with cardiomyocyte-based assays such as calcium imaging, contractility and in vitro modeling of cardiac disease is preferred

• Proficient with standard cellular and molecular biology techniques such as qPCR, western blot, siRNA transfection, viral transduction, etc.

• Proficiency with tissue and cell based imaging techniques, e.g. tissue sectioning, staining, histology, confocal microscopy, in situ hybridization is a plus

• Experience with CRISPR targeting technologies in primary cells

• Strong understanding of cardiac biology and disease

• Ability to develop research plans for executing strategy, operate and maintain equipment, and perform laboratory work, with complete independence

• Track record of working on complex problems, and ability to integrate data from multiple disciplines

• Supervising skills are a plus

• Strong interpersonal, influencing, and collaboration skills to work in a team-oriented, matrix environment, and the ability to work through conflicts

• Outstanding verbal and written communication abilities

• Ability to adapt to and effectively manage changes in a fast paced and dynamic environment

• A passion and curiosity for science and sense of urgency to find new medicines to benefit patients

The successful candidate will be a results-focused, team-oriented, creative, bench scientist, able to excel in a fast-track environment. The candidate must be self-motivated, detail-oriented and exhibit strong problem solving skills. In addition, the successful candidate should be a clear and effective communicator, demonstrating strong interpersonal skills to enable collaboration with project teams, peers, and management, for identifying and achieving research goals. The diverse expertise of the Broad CVDi platform fosters further opportunities for the successful candidate to engage in broad activities.