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General information

Location
Cambridge, MA
Ref #
42816
Job Family
Research
Workplace
On-Site
Date published
18-Aug-2025
Time Type
Full time

Description & Requirements

The mission of the Broad Institute of MIT & Harvard is to transform medicine by dramatically accelerating the understanding and treatment of disease. Through our partnerships with MIT, Harvard, and the Harvard teaching hospitals, along with collaborations across the globe, we've become a worldwide hub of cutting-edge biomedical science. We are committed to building and sustaining a culture that pursues and rewards intellectual curiosity and innovative thinking.

The Vector Engineering laboratory led by Ben Deverman is looking for a research associate to join our team. We are a fast-paced and mission-driven collaborative laboratory focused on developing next-generation adeno-associated viral (AAV) vectors for neuroscience research and for CNS gene therapies. In this role, you will produce and purify recombinant adeno-associated viral (AAV) vectors, and perform analytical testing to assess their purity and potency. For examples of our recent work, please see the references at the end of the job description. 

The successful candidate will work closely with members of the Vector Engineering team to support our internal and collaborative AAV production and purification objectives. You will help develop and implement quality control assays and standard operating procedures. Successful candidates will contribute to collaborations with numerous internal and external collaborators, and will be expected to function independently in their daily responsibilities after training. This is an opportunity to contribute meaningfully to a wide range of gene therapy and gene editing projects.

CHARACTERISTIC DUTIES
  • Maintain adherent and suspension cell lines and perform transfections for AAV production.
  • Perform affinity chromatography and ultracentrifugation for AAV purification.
  • Quantify AAV titers and particles and run quality control assays.
  • Perform basic molecular biology experiments such as plasmid construction, sequencing and QC assays, quantitative PCR, and digital droplet PCR.
  • RNA, DNA and protein extractions from cell or tissue samples.
  • Run reporter assays and/or flow cytometry.
  • Maintain meticulous records using an electronic laboratory notebook and document, compile, and analyze experimental data.
  • Assist with laboratory organization, ordering, and the operation and maintenance of laboratory equipment, and perform other duties as assigned.
  • Attend and contribute to team meetings.
  • Contribute to scientific manuscripts and conference presentations.

QUALIFICATIONS
  • Ability to work flexibly to support multiple projects.
  • B.A. or B.S. in Biology or related field with 2+ years of relevant experience, or an M.S. in a related field with 0+ years of experience.
  • Hands-on experience with mammalian cell culture, transfections, and sterile technique.
  • Experience working in a BL2 or BL2+ environment.
  • Exceptional organizational and time management skills, electronic lab notebook practices and careful attention to detail.
  • Outstanding interpersonal and communication skills and attention to detail.
  • Strong work ethic, reliability, and desire to work in a team
Please apply with a CV and a cover letter. References will be requested upon follow up.

Recent examples of our research: https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.adm8386 https://www.nature.com/articles/s41591-024-03466-w https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.ado7082 https://www.nature.com/articles/nbt.3440 
https://journals.plos.org/plosbiology/article?id=10.1371/journal.pbio.3002112
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-024-50555-y
https://www.nature.com/articles/nrd.2018.110 https://www.nature.com/articles/nn.4593 https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0225206 https://www.nature.com/articles/s44161-022-00046-4