The Laboratory for Translational Engineering (L4TE) is seeking a highly motivated Research Associate I to support research at the Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard focused on the development of long-acting injectable drug-delivery systems for global health applications.
This position is well suited for a recent graduate or early-career scientist interested in working at the intersection of drug delivery, polymer science, pharmaceutical sciences, chemistry, and translational biomedical research.
Research focus
The successful candidate will contribute to the development and characterization of injectable long-acting drug depots designed to provide sustained therapeutic exposure over extended periods of time.
Projects will involve understanding how the physicochemical properties of drugs and polymeric materials influence:
● Drug loading and formulation
● Drug–polymer interactions
● Polymer degradation
● Drug stability
● Release kinetics
● Depot formation and behavior
● Performance under physiologically relevant conditions
The work will combine formulation development, polymer and drug characterization, analytical chemistry, and in vitro testing, with opportunities to contribute to preclinical studies.
Responsibilities
The Research Associate I will support laboratory activities including:
● Preparation and optimization of injectable long-acting drug formulations
● Development and characterization of polymer-based drug depots
● Measurement of drug loading, stability, degradation, and release kinetics
● Investigation of drug–polymer compatibility and interactions
● Execution of in vitro drug-release and degradation studies
● Preparation of samples for analytical characterization
● Operation and basic troubleshooting of laboratory instrumentation
● Maintenance of detailed experimental records, protocols, and sample inventories
● Analysis and presentation of experimental data
● Collaboration with scientists, engineers, and clinicians working across multidisciplinary drug-delivery programs
Desired background
A Bachelor’s degree in one of the following areas, or a closely related discipline, is required:
● Chemistry
● Biochemistry
● Biomedical Engineering
● Chemical Engineering
● Materials Science
● Pharmaceutical Sciences
● Bioengineering or a related field
Candidates should have a strong fundamental understanding of chemistry, pharmaceutical or biomaterial properties, and laboratory experimentation.
Of particular interest are candidates who can develop an understanding of how the properties of a drug and delivery material affect its behavior both within a formulation and in the body, including mechanisms controlling drug release and material degradation.
Relevant technical experience
Experience with one or more of the following techniques is desirable:
● HPLC / UPLC
● LC-MS
● Chemical synthesis
● UV-Vis spectroscopy
● GPC/SEC
● NMR
● FTIR
● DSC or other thermal characterization methods
● Drug solubility and stability studies
● Polymer degradation studies
● In vitro drug-release assays
● Basic formulation and analytical chemistry techniques
Candidates are not expected to have experience with every technique listed. Strong laboratory fundamentals, careful experimental technique, and an ability to learn new methods are particularly important.
Additional experience
Experience with in vivo or preclinical research, including rodent models, pharmacokinetic studies, biodistribution, tolerability studies, or related experimental work, is not required but would be considered a plus.
Candidate profile
We are looking for someone who is:
● Highly organized and careful at the laboratory bench
● Comfortable performing hands-on experimental work
● Able to execute protocols reproducibly and maintain rigorous records
● Interested in understanding the scientific principles underlying experimental results
● Able to troubleshoot experiments and laboratory methods
● Comfortable working within a collaborative, multidisciplinary research environment
● Motivated by the opportunity to develop technologies addressing important global health challenges
Substantial undergraduate research, thesis work, internships, co-op experience, or research assistantships are highly relevant, and recent graduates with strong hands-on laboratory experience are encouraged to apply.
Appointment
Location: Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, Massachusetts
Appointment duration: Initial one-year appointment, with the potential for renewal based on research progress, continued program needs, and availability of grant funding.
About the work
L4TE develops new technologies at the interface of engineering, materials science, pharmaceutical science, and medicine. This position will contribute to programs seeking to create long-acting injectable medicines that could simplify treatment, improve adherence, and expand access to therapeutics for global health applications.