Mechanistic and Machine Learning Modeling of Human Disease Processes using Clinical Laboratory and Medical Record Data

A post-graduate research position is available in the laboratory of John Higgins located in the Massachusetts General Hospital Center for Systems Biology and Department of Pathology and the Harvard Medical School Department of Systems Biology.

The research group seeks to understand the fundamental dynamic processes that maintain healthy states in fluctuating environments and respond to perturbations from acute and chronic disease. The group develops mathematical and computational models with input variables drawn from routine clinical test results and medical records, as well as vast amounts of additional data routinely collected by clinical laboratory instruments but rarely modeled. Models enable new understanding of physiologic robustness and vulnerability. Because model input variables are already regularly measured in clinical laboratories worldwide, the path to clinical translation is short, and a high priority is to use the models to provide earlier and more accurate diagnosis, and optimization of treatment programs personalized for each patient.

Qualified applicants will have expertise in mathematical modeling, dynamical systems, statistical inference, machine learning, and computational methods. Qualified applicants will also have either existing expertise in human pathophysiology or be committed to spending several months or more immersed in the study of relevant areas of biology, pathophysiology, as well as clinical medicine. Familiarity with good software engineering practices or willingness to learn them is also important. Applicants must have a Ph.D. and/or M.D. degree or be in the final year of their doctoral studies, and have at least a strong undergraduate background in math, computer science, or engineering.

Interested individuals should provide a CV and a cover letter describing past research experience, future research interests, career goals, and contact information for three references.

Engineering, Extracellular vesicles, Diagnostic technologies

The Im Lab in the Center for Systems Biology at the Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, seeks highly motivated postdoctoral research scholars to develop next-generation diagnostic technologies for clinical translation. The candidate will work in a highly collaborative laboratory with several postdoctoral members from diverse backgrounds in engineering, computer science, biology, chemistry, and medicine. The laboratory provides a supportive research environment, working with clinicians in the hospital and industry partners.

An ideal candidate has expertise in one or more of the following areas: Engineering, Optics (microscopy), Microfluidics, Organ-on-a-chip, Extracellular Vesicles, Biology, Chemistry, Cell Biology, Computer Science, or other relevant fields.

We seek motivated and creative individuals with a Ph.D. or M.D./Ph.D. degree. To apply, please send your CV, a summary of your most significant research accomplishments, and the email addresses of two references to: Hyungsoon Im (im.hyungsoon@mgh.harvard.edu).

The Hwang Lab works broadly on gastrointestinal malignancies with a particular focus on pancreatic cancer.

The Hwang Lab (Laboratory for Spatial and Systems Oncology) in the Center for Systems Biology, Krantz Family Center for Cancer Research, and Department of Radiation Oncology at Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School (whwanglab.mgh.harvard.edu) is looking for an exceptional research technician who wants to work as an integral part of a fun, collegial team on solving big problems in spatial oncology and cancer neuroscience and with a principal investigator who prioritizes mentorship. Prior technicians have been co-first and co-authors on manuscripts, presented their work at national conferences, and gained admission to top MD, PhD, and MD-PhD programs around the country. This training experience is ideal for preparing candidates who are interested in pursuing subsequent PhD and/or MD-PhD training.

The research technician will have an opportunity to work closely with Dr. Hwang and team members on preclinical, translational, and clinical trial research with an opportunity to develop and apply cutting-edge techniques in single-cell and spatial biology, imaging, genetic screens, and neuroscience to patient-derived tumor specimens and advanced model systems of cancer (e.g., organoids, tumor slice cultures, mouse models). The Hwang Lab works broadly on gastrointestinal malignancies with a particular focus on pancreatic cancer.

Ideal candidates should have a strong knowledge base and interest in cancer biology and/or neuroscience, at least 1 academic year or 2 summers of prior experience in laboratory biological research at the undergraduate level or above, motivated and willing to learn new techniques, thrive in both collaborative and independent research environments, have a team-first attitude and be highly organized and resilient.

The research technician will design and execute experimental protocols in support of the diverse research efforts in the laboratory. Specific responsibilities and skills that will be developed through this role include but are not limited to single-cell and spatial multiomics, multiplex imaging, patient blood/plasma and patient tissue acquisition and subsequent organoid/tissue slice derivation, advanced 2D and 3D cell culture techniques, molecular cloning/lentiviral transduction/CRISPR genetic engineering, mouse colony management, mouse survival surgeries and orthotopic transplants, ganglia dissections and neuronal culture techniques, live cell imaging, immunohistochemistry, Western blot, qPCR, drug screens, and flow cytometry.

A Bachelor’s degree is required before the anticipated start date, with at least 1 academic year or 2 summers of laboratory experience in cancer biology and/or neuroscience. This position has a 2-year minimum commitment. This is a full time position requiring 40 hours per week of on-site work. To apply, please send your resume, short summary of prior academic/research experiences and career goals, and a list of 3 or more personal/professional references to Serena Sullivan at sullivan.serena@mgh.harvard.edu and William Hwang, MD, PhD at whwang1@mgh.harvard.edu.

Cancer research through innovative systems approaches

With our current faculty of 34 mentors, enhanced facilities, scope of supported research and past accomplishments, we offer an outstanding research environment for the next generation of clinicians and scientists to be trained in molecular imaging and systems analysis.

These positions are restricted to US citizens and/or permanent residents.