Working at MIT offers opportunities, an environment, a culture – and benefits – that just aren’t found together anywhere else. If you’re curious, motivated, want to be part of a unique community, and help shape the future – then take a look at this opportunity.

POSTDOCTORAL ASSOCIATE, Biological Engineering (BE)-Synthetic Biology Center, to work on a research project at the intersection of cell fate reprograming, mammalian synthetic biology, and feedback control.  Will join the labs of Jim Collins (http://synbio.mit.edu/) and Ron Weiss (http://groups.csail.mit.edu/synbio/) and a team including Domitilla Del Vecchio (https://scripts.mit.edu/~ddv/index.php) and Thorsten Schlaeger (http://stemcell.childrenshospital.org/about-us/leadership-faculty-staff/thorsten-m-schlaeger/). The project seeks to develop a new and general approach to cell fate reprogramming based on the design of synthetic genetic feedback control circuits in mammalian cells.

These circuits will have unprecedented ability to accurately control endogenous transcription factors’ concentration in the face of noise and endogenous gene regulatory network dynamics. As a first application, induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) reprogramming will be considered with an aim of improving currently low efficiency, kinetics of reprogramming, and quality of produced cells.  It will then consider other cell fate conversion and directed differentiation tasks. Responsibilities include virus production and titration, infection, lineage tracing, next-generation sequencing, bioinformatics analysis, flow cytometry, live imaging, antibody staining, qRT-PCR, mammalian and stem cell culture, iPSC reprogramming of human somatic cells, maintaining partially and fully reprogrammed human iPSCs, in vitro differentiation assays; cooperating with a student with a modeling/quantitative background and a postdoctoral with a synthetic biology background; and presenting to the scientific community through talks and publications. 

Job Requirements

REQUIRED: Ph.D. in biological sciences, engineering, or related field; experience in mammalian cell culture, stem cells, and next-generation sequencing; biological experience in cell biology; self-motivation; ability to prioritize and multitask in a dynamic, multidisciplinary, team-oriented setting; strong analytical, problem-solving, documentation, organizational, and interpersonal skills; and ability to execute detailed technical protocols meticulously. Developmental biology expertise and flow cytometry skills would be ideal. Job #16934

In addition to applying online with a cover letter and CV via the MIT website, please submit the following to ddv@mit.edu as a single pdf document:

1. a cover letter specifying relevant qualifications and training,
2. curriculum vitae,
3. statement of current research interests and expertise (two page maximum),
4. two letters of reference, and
5. one peer-reviewed publication. Please include “Application for Postdoc-mammalian genetic engineering” in the email subject line. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.

A minimum one year commitment is required.  

Employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a background check.

MIT is an equal employment opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment and will not be discriminated against on the basis of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, disability, age, genetic information, veteran status, ancestry, or national or ethnic origin.

MIT considers equivalent combinations of experience and education for certain jobs. All candidates who believe they possess equivalent experience and education are encouraged to apply.

MIT considers equivalent combinations of experience and education for certain jobs. All candidates who believe they possess equivalent experience and education are encouraged to apply.