At Mass General Brigham, we know it takes a surprising range of talented professionals to advance our mission—from doctors, nurses, business people and tech experts, to dedicated researchers and systems analysts. As a not-for-profit organization, Mass General Brigham is committed to supporting patient care, research, teaching, and service to the community. We place great value on being a diverse, equitable and inclusive organization as we aim to reflect the diversity of the patients we serve.
At Mass General Brigham, we believe a diverse set of backgrounds and lived experiences makes us stronger by challenging our assumptions with new perspectives that can drive revolutionary discoveries in medical innovations in research and patient care. Therefore, we invite and welcome applicants from traditionally underrepresented groups in healthcare — people of color, people with disabilities, LGBTQ community, and/or gender expansive, first and second-generation immigrants, veterans, and people from different socioeconomic backgrounds – to apply.
Job Summary
Under the direction of Dr. Hirotaka Iijima (Harvard Medical School & Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital) and Dr. Fabrisia Ambrosio (Harvard Medical School & Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital), the post-doctoral fellow will lead a multidisciplinary project mechanistically investigating the role of sex and gender in the development of knee osteoarthritis.Postmenopausal women have a higher incidence of knee osteoarthritis and present with more severe disease progression over time. However, it is still unclear whether these differences are genetic in nature, hormonal in nature, or a combination of the two. In this project, we will investigate whether and how changes in the chondrocyte microenvironment—including soluble factors and extracellular matrix stiffening—drive disease pathogenesis in a sex-, gender-, and age-dependent manner. Our long-term goal is to develop novel, sex-specific therapeutics that will prevent or delay joint dysfunction and ameliorate the burden of knee osteoarthritis. This project spans molecular/cellular biology and computational biology together with bioengineering.
Qualifications
Key Responsibilities
Conduct research in the field of molecular/cellular biology and bioengineering for joint tissues (i.e. small animal handling, intraperitoneal and intra-articular injection, histological analysis of the joint tissues, primary chondrocyte isolation and characterization, etc.).
Conduct literature searches.
Draft manuscripts for peer review publications in scientific journals.
Assist with developing grant proposals with suitable preliminary studies sections to compete for federal, foundation and industry research grants.
Work independently under general supervision and weekly meetings.
Mentor junior lab members.
Supervisory/Managerial Responsibilities
The post-doctoral fellow should be willing to mentor and work closely with students and/or research technicians.
Qualifications and Experience
Education/Degree
Required: PhD degree.
Experience
Required:
Evidence of a strong publication record related to osteoarthritis, including first (or co-first) author of one or more peer-reviewed scientific publications.
Wet lab experience.
Experience of small animal handling.
Desirable:
Experience collaborating with investigators in the fields of bioengineering.
Bioinformatic skills using R or Python.
Skills
Required:
Must demonstrate strong verbal and written communication skills with the English language
High skills with histological analysis of joint tissues
Preferred:
Highly developed communications and interpersonal skills, working with diverse population.
High writing skills with suitable preliminary studies sections to compete for federal, foundation and industry research grants.
Skills for literature research.
Work independently, be self-directed and contribute as a member of a team.
Anticipates challenges and develops and implements strategies for addressing them.
High level of service delivery. Demonstrate initiative with ability to prioritize work, meet deadlines and adapt to changing situations
Additional Job Details (if applicable)
Remote Type
Onsite
Work Location
300 First Avenue
Scheduled Weekly Hours
40
Employee Type
Regular
Work Shift
Day (United States of America)
EEO Statement:
The Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital Corporation is an Affirmative Action Employer. By embracing diverse skills, perspectives and ideas, we choose to lead. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religious creed, national origin, sex, age, gender identity, disability, sexual orientation, military service, genetic information, and/or other status protected under law. We will ensure that all individuals with a disability are provided a reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment.
Mass General Brigham Competency Framework
At Mass General Brigham, our competency framework defines what effective leadership “looks like” by specifying which behaviors are most critical for successful performance at each job level. The framework is comprised of ten competencies (half People-Focused, half Performance-Focused) and are defined by observable and measurable skills and behaviors that contribute to workplace effectiveness and career success. These competencies are used to evaluate performance, make hiring decisions, identify development needs, mobilize employees across our system, and establish a strong talent pipeline.