Postdoctoral Position (Chemistry)

Department: Wellman Center for Photomedicine

Employer: Massachusetts General Hospital

A post-doctoral research position in the area of photodynamic activation is available in the laboratory of Professor Tayyaba Hasan at the Wellman Center for Photomedicine at Massachusetts General Hospital. This position is heavily multidisciplinary, requiring the candidate to collaborate and take on leading roles with a team of chemists, biologists, and clinicians. The research involves light-based cancer treatments for pre-clinical and clinical studies, preparation and characterization of photoactivatable liposomes that can deliver chemotherapeutics in tumor tissue, synthesis and characterization of novel organic compounds (e.g., covalent attachment of lipids to photosensitizers, click chemistry conjugation, cleavable linkers). Models to be studied include 2D and 3D cell culture organoids, live animal imaging (both whole body and endoscope-based), ex-vivo organ/tissue imaging, and histopathology slide analysis.

Responsibilities:

1. Research in photodynamic therapy along with collaborating with imaging advice and analysis for ongoing laboratory projects.
2. Brainstorming to develop interdisciplinary solutions to existing problems.
3. Contributing to the writing of grant proposals.
4. Development of new biomedical imaging techniques in the context of cancer treatment.
5. Mentoring junior scientists and students.

Candidates must be energetic, self-motivated, and capable of multitasking. The Wellman Center provides a rich optical imaging and therapeutics environment, and the appropriate candidate can thrive in the opportunities here if appropriately self-motivated.

Minimum Requirements:

1. PhD in the chemical sciences, with a strong interest in nanotechnology and imaging in the context of cancer biology or cancer therapeutics.
2. Experience with fluorescence imaging in biological contexts with expertise in preferred image analysis software (e.g., MATLAB, imageJ, Python, CellProfiler, etc.) is required.
3. Experience in synthesis, purification, and characterization of novel organic compounds.
4. Experience with general techniques in cell culture and tumor models (both in vitro and in vivo) is desirable. A willingness to work with these models is required.
5. Outstanding writing/communication skills, strong motivation to work in a team of interdisciplinary researchers, and strong problem-solving and analytical skills.

Massachusetts General Hospital 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.