Postdoctoral Fellow in Biophysics

Johan Paulsson’s lab at Harvard Medical School is spearheading a nationwide initiative to combat antimicrobial resistance using high-precision technology that requires novel microfluidics and optical engineering. To that end, we will be hiring ambitious post-docs with backgrounds in biophysics, bioengineering, or related disciplines. The broader team includes 25 academic groups, hospitals, and companies, and the program is funded by one of the largest grants in Harvard’s history (https://hms.harvard.edu/news/hms-researcher-lead-104-million-federal-project-tackling-antibiotic-resistance).

Example projects include: 1) building AI-guided custom microscopes that implement live-cell, label-free super-resolution methods like iSIM, QPM, FLIM, and hyperspectral imaging; 2) building microfluidic chambers that implement novel cell manipulation capabilities in the context of tens of millions of channels on the micron- or sub-micron scale; and 3) developing quantitative methods to elucidate the contribution of cell state, genetics, history, and population structure to a single microbe’s likelihood of possessing or developing antimicrobial resistance.

Strong applicants will have direct and extensive experience driving ambitious scientific projects of their own creation. They should be self-motivated and equally adept working independently and bringing their skills to a collaborative and conscientious multidisciplinary team. They should be incisive problem solvers and possess exceptional quantitative reasoning skills. They should be both creative and precise. Designated projects involve working with human clinical samples that contain BSL-2 pathogens, but participation in these projects is elective. Quantitative single-cell microbiology and coding experience are appreciated, but not required.

Non-traditional applicants (e.g., those with industry experience) are encouraged to apply. Highly competitive compensation and benefits will be provided.