Research Scientist, Ribbeck Lab

Information on MIT’s COVID-19 vaccination requirement can be found at the bottom of this posting.

RESEARCH SCIENTIST, Biological Engineering, to lead and coordinate a DoD-funded multidisciplinary university research initiative, launched in September 2022, that combines state-of-the-art mucin biochemistry, metabolomics, microbiology, and physiologically relevant intestinal organoid technology.  Will work with external collaborators across multiple institutions.  Responsibilities include identifying the molecular-level mechanisms by which mucins regulate the dynamics of microbial metabolism, enzymatic activity, transport of neuroactive signals, and the activity and differentiation of the host epithelium; contributing significantly to experimental design and project development and managing a team of technicians and graduate students; overseeing data entry into the database; presenting ongoing work and findings at international meetings; preparing mucin glycan samples and running biochemical assays; analyzing and plotting experimental results; preparing bi-weekly progress reports detailing experimental issues, data/experimental results/updates, plans for the following week, and any long-term issues that must be addressed; and carefully documenting protocols and experiments.  

Job Requirements

REQUIRED: Ph.D. in bioengineering, biomedical engineering, biology, microbiology, or a closely related field; at least two years’ postgraduate research experience; experience with basic biology lab techniques (e.g., human/mammalian cell culture, biochemical assays, molecular biology), microbiology and molecular biology techniques (e.g., plating, bacterial cloning, qPCR), and model hosts; excellent organizational, planning, and written and verbal communication skills; self-motivation; attention to detail;  ability to perform statistical analysis, RNA and DNA-sequencing analysis; and proficiency with Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.  Must be able to follow complex instructions, multitask, carefully document work in written records, work both independently and as part of a team, and plan and troubleshoot experiments independently in a fast-paced and dynamic research environment.  PREFERRED:  experience with iPSC and primary cell culture.  Job #22056

Some travel and night and weekend work will be required.

10/31/22