SENIOR IMMUNOLOGIST

Company: Draper Labs
Location: Cambridge
Posted on: October 31, 2024

Job Description:

Overview: Draper is an independent, nonprofit research and development company headquartered in Cambridge, MA. The 2,000+ employees of Draper tackle important national challenges with a promise of delivering successful and usable solutions. From military defense and space exploration to biomedical engineering, lives often depend on the solutions we provide. Our multidisciplinary teams of engineers and scientists work in a collaborative environment that inspires the cross-fertilization of ideas necessary for true innovation. For more information about Draper, visit www.draper.com. Job Description Summary: The Bioengineer (SMTS) is focused on developing and deploying multidisciplinary solutions at the convergence of biology and engineering to address critical needs in national security and healthcare while fostering a thriving culture and developing the next generation of innovators. The Bioengineer will apply their foundational knowledge and experience to a broad range of interdisciplinary efforts. Our culture fosters innovation, a supportive team environment, intellectual freedom and creativity, and an emphasis on career development. Duties are performed with limited supervision. Job Description: Duties/Responsibilities
* Drive solutions to complex problems with limited direction.
* Contribute to the development of innovative bioengineering solutions, propose ways forward, and adapt appropriately to changes in requirements.
* Able to provide insight and suggest design modifications based on analysis outcomes.
* Actively mentor less experienced bioengineers and provide thoughtful, constructive feedback.
* Performs other duties as assigned.

Skills/Abilities
* Strong foundation in biology and/or engineering principles.
* Team player, dedicated, collaborative, observant, and motivated.
* Excellent organizational skills, attention to detail, and verbal and written communication skills.
* Creative problem-solving skills and a passion for innovation.
* Excellent time management skills with the proven ability to meet deadlines and prioritize tasks.
* Enthusiasm for learning and participating in mentorship/mentoring.
* Proficiency with Microsoft Office Applications.

Education
Requires either a Bachelor's Degree in Bioengineering, Biomedical Engineering, Biochemistry, Chemistry, Cell Biology, Immunology, Microbiology, Molecular Biology, Mechanical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Physics or related fields. Master's degree preferred.

Experience
Requires 5-7 years of Bioengineering or related engineering experience.
Additional Job Description: The Bioengineering Division is seeking a Senior scientist to support the research and development of cutting-edge technologies. At Draper Bioengineering, we work at the interface between engineering and biology, and the successful applicant will join teams working on Microphysiological systems (organ-on-chip) and other novel systems which blend complex biology with custom hardware and software.The successful candidate will be enthusiastic, observant, collaborative, and dedicated, and will serve as a subject matter expert, applying their foundational immunology knowledge and experience to exciting, interdisciplinary efforts. Draper offers a distinctive environment that blends the best aspects of academia, government, and industry. Our supportive team atmosphere fosters innovation, intellectual creativity, and an emphasis on career development. The available position offers the potential for career growth and opportunities to take on more responsibility over time. Key Responsibilities:

• Serve as an immunology subject matter expert (emphasis on mucosal and/or adaptive immunology) for interdisciplinary teams including biologists, engineers, chemists, bioinformaticians, etc.
• Generate bold ideas across a broad spectrum of immunological and biological applications to solve our customers' most challenging needs including biodefense/biosecurity and medical countermeasure development applications
• Support business development efforts through ideation, proposal writing, and customer outreach, including strategic interfaces with biotech and academic groups
• Plan and execute hands-on experiments with Draper's novel in vitro platform technologies; train and supervise junior staff; lead assay development; assist in troubleshooting experimental work in coordination with colleagues as needed
• Lead the analysis, reporting, and presenting of experimental data to internal management, external customers, and/or for publication
• Multitask within a dynamic and diverse project environment and adapt to changing priorities
• Support lab organization and maintenance as needed Qualifications:
  • PhD in Immunology, Microbiology, or related field
  • Experience with standard immunological assays such as flow cytometry / FACS, magnetic cell sorting, ELISA/Luminex, immunofluorescence staining and confocal microscopy, cell proliferation assays, cytotoxicity assays
  • Experience with primary cells or tissues (human or animal); experience isolating blood components such as B cells, T cells, monocytes and culturing them in vitro; understanding of immunological biomarkers for core immune cell populations including but not limited to innate immune cells in the myeloid lineage
  • Experience with immune cell culture differentiation methodologies; phenotypic and functional characterization of immune cells; mucosal immunology and/or tumor immunology
  • Ability to solve complex problems with minimal supervision, adapt to changing priorities, interface with all levels of internal management, as well as program sponsors and subcontractors
  • Interest in applying fundamental biology and immunology knowledge to novel in vitro cell culture systems such as microphysiological systems or organ-on-chip technologies
  • Self-starter with excellent written and oral communication skills, laboratory organizational skills, and attention to detail Preferred Qualifications:
    • Several years of postdoctoral experience in a laboratory/R&D setting
    • Prior experience in the biotechnology industry
    • Experience writing innovative R&D proposals for government sponsors (contacts, grants) or commercial sponsors and generating intellectual property
    • Microbiology experience, such as in vitro or in vivo experience with BSL-2 or BSL-3 viruses, bacteria, or toxins; experience studying host-pathogen interactions; experience studying or modeling microbiomes
    • Expertise in molecular biology, synthetic biology, stem cell biology, cell and tissue engineering (particularly immune cell or tissue modeling), genetic engineering, and/or immune-oncology
    • Experience with microfluidic devices, microphysiological systems, and/or organ-on-chip technologies Applicants selected for this position may be required to obtain and maintain a government security clearance. Connect With Draper for Future Opportunities! If you don't find the right posting in our Career Opportunities, you may submit your resume for future consideration. Job Location - City: Cambridge Job Location - State: Massachusetts Job Location - Postal Code: 02139-3563 Our work is very important to us, but so is our life outside of work. Draper supports many programs to improve work-life balance including workplace flexibility, employee clubs ranging from photography to yoga, health and finance workshops, off site social events and discounts to local museums and cultural activities. If this specific job opportunity and the chance to work at a nationally renowned R&D innovation company appeals to you, apply now www.draper.com/careers. Equal Employment Opportunity: Draper is committed to creating a diverse environment and is proud to be an affirmative action and equal opportunity employer. We understand the value of diversity and its impact on a high-performance culture. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran status, or genetic information. Draper is committed to providing access, equal opportunity and reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities in employment, its services, programs, and activities. To request reasonable accommodation, please contact hr@draper.com.

Keywords: Draper Labs, East Providence , SENIOR IMMUNOLOGIST, Accounting, Auditing , Cambridge, Rhode Island