Undergraduate Internship - Immune Organ on Chip

Harvard University; Boston (MA); On-site; USD 27,552 - 34,440; Full time

Job summary

Harvard University’s Wyss Institute in Boston seeks an Undergraduate Intern for Immune Organ on Chip. You will train with the Immune Organs on Chip team, isolate human immune cells, and assist coculture experiments, assays, and data recording under supervision.

Ideal candidates are pursuing biology or biomedical engineering, have aseptic culture experience, and demonstrate strong writing and teamwork. The internship is 4–6 months, on-site, with hourly pay based on experience.

Qualifications

• Background in cell biology, biomedical engineering, or related fields is required with some experience involving aseptic cell culture and endpoint assay analysis (ELISA, qPCR, Western, or imaging).

Responsibilities

• Train with the immune organs-on-chip team to isolate human immune cells, human and mouse cancer cells and set up cocultures.
• Learn and perform laboratory techniques such as immune assays, qPCR, Western blots, Flow cytometry; conduct planned experiments with guidance.
• Read scientific literature to learn key concepts and state-of-the-art techniques.
• Document experimental observations and protocols; write/update SOPs.
• Maintain tissue culture facilities and record keeping; order supplies as needed.
• Collaborate with Wyss Institute teams and other institutions for project support.
• Contribute to writing journal articles, reviews, and patents.
• Demonstrate commitment to Wyss values through actions and communication.

Skills

Cell biology

Biomedical engineering

Aseptic technique

Endpoint assays

Job description

Undergraduate Internship - Immune Organ on Chip

Position

Details

Title

Title Undergraduate Internship - Immune Organ on Chip

School

School Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering

Department/Area

Department/Area Immune Organs on Chip

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 .

The Ingber lab is using immune organs-on-chip to study vaccines, solid tumors, radiation induced injury and Lyme Disease. With our work, we hope to understand what makes a vaccine effective, create an implantable therapy for cancer, as well as incubate a startup that will design novel Lyme Disease therapeutics. More information can be found here .

What you’ll do: The selected student/s will be working in the Immune Organ on Chip team investigating the some of the research goals set forth by the aforementioned projects. Ideal start date is in September.

• Train with the immune organs-on-chip team to isolate human immune cells, human and mouse cancer cells and collaborate with them to set up different types of cocultures.
• Learn and perform laboratory techniques such as immune assays, qPCR, Western blots, Flow cytometry etc.; conduct planned experiments with guidance from senior staff.
• Read scientific literature to learn key concepts and state-of-the-art techniques.
• Accurately and thoroughly document experimental observations and protocols and write/update standard operating procedures.
• Follow Harvard’s best practices for data storage and sharing experimental records with the team. Order supplies/consumables and maintain shared stocks.
• Maintain tissue culture facilities, including daily maintenance of tissue culture equipment such as hoods, incubators, and water baths.
• Collaborate with other teams at the Wyss Institute or in other institutions to provide project support as needed.
• Gain experience in contributing to the writing of journal articles, reviews, and patents
• Demonstrate a commitment to the Wyss Institute’s community values of courage, collaboration, innovation, impact, diversity, and respect through actions, interactions, and communications with others.

Additional Information:

• Duration: This is a 4-6 month position with the possibility of extension, contingent upon work performance, business need, funding to support the position, and school requirements.

Basic Qualifications

What you’ll Need:

• Background in cell biology, biomedical engineering, or related fields is required with some experience involving aseptic cell culture and endpoint assay analysis ( ELISA , qPCR, Western, or imaging).

Additional Qualifications

• Ability to work well independently and with a team.
• Strong writing and communication skills.
• Reliability and consistently on-site at the Wyss in Boston.

Contact Information

Wyss Institute Academic Affairs
[e-mail]

Contact Email

Salary Range

Hourly rate of $20 – $25, depending on experience.

Minimum Number of References Required

Maximum Number of References Allowed

Keywords

Immune, organs on chip, biological, sciences, cytometry, cocultures

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

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