Research Scientist 1

Massachusetts Institute of Technology; Cambridge (MA); On-site; USD 85,000 - 105,000; Full time

Job summary

Massachusetts Institute of Technology seeks a Research Scientist 1 to advance a lyophilized, single-tube, multiplex molecular diagnostic for rapid detection of waterborne viruses. Working with an interdisciplinary team, you will integrate RT-RPA with programmable Argonaute nuclease detection in environmental water samples.

Responsibilities include evaluating Argonaute nucleases, developing guide DNAs and RT-RPA primers, optimizing fluorescence and lateral-flow readouts, formulating and testing

Responsibilities

• Evaluating Argonaute nucleases.
• Developing guide DNAs and RT-RPA primers.
• Optimizing fluorescence and lateral-flow readouts.
• Formulating and testing ambient-stable lyophilized pellets.
• Validating assay performance across surface water, agricultural runoff, and municipal water sources.

Job description

RESEARCH SCIENTIST 1, Center for Biomedical Innovation (CBI), part of the Sociotechnical Systems Research Center (SSRC), will support a J-WAFS seed grant to develop a lyophilized, single-tube, multiplex molecular diagnostic for rapid detection of waterborne viruses. Working with an interdisciplinary team, the Research Scientist will integrate reverse transcription–recombinase polymerase amplification (RT‑RPA) with programmable Argonaute nuclease detection to identify Norovirus and Hepatitis A virus in environmental water samples. Responsibilities include evaluating Argonaute nucleases; developing guide DNAs and RT‑RPA primers; optimizing fluorescence and lateral‑flow detection; formulating and testing lyophilized reaction pellets for ambient-temperature storage; and validating assay performance in surface water, agricultural runoff, and municipal water. The scientist will assess sensitivity, stability, time‑to‑result, and inter‑user variability; maintain experimental documentation; communicate findings; and contribute to reports, presentations, and publications.