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.

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).

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.