Explore Academic Positions at Harvard

The successful candidate will work with Drs. Curtis Huttenhower and Wendy Garrett on overall scientific coordination for the Harvard Chan Microbiome in Public Health Center (http://hcmph.sph.harvard.edu). This individual will be responsible for high-level scientific planning, reporting, outreach, and mentoring for the project, working with both computational and experimental scientists in multiple labs that are part of the Center. There will be ample opportunities to plan new projects; prepare presentations, proposals, and manuscripts with the Center and affiliated PIs, students, and postdoctoral fellows; funding reporting; and coordinate with the broader HCMPH community.

PRINCIPAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES (*Essential Functions)

· * Deep technical expertise appropriate for project planning, execution, and mentoring in either or both of microbial genetics / molecular biology, or microbial genomics / computational biology. Either mostly-experimental or mostly-computational experience is appropriate, as long as the candidate has some familiarity with the other field.

· * Regular mentoring of Ph.D. and postdoctoral scientists carrying out microbiome research, which includes bioinformatic screening for microbiome-derived bioactives, microbial and mammalian cellular growth and phenotyping assays, and gnotobiotic mouse screens with Dr. Wendy Garrett and the Harvard Chan Gnotobiotic Facility.

· * Scientific text preparation, particularly manuscripts with Ph.D./postdoctoral trainees and project reports with Dr. Huttenhower.

· Development of new HCMPH, and project-specific research goals and methods, and identification of new scientific opportunities and research directions for further exploration.

· Manages scientific staff and trainees; responsibilities include: hiring, mentoring, career development, and assisting with performance reviews.

· Regularly interacts with internal and external contacts, including Harvard and Broad scientists, engineers and postdocs, and external clinicians and industry leaders.

· Oversees data generation and data analysis across various internal and external collaborators for the HCMPH.

· Collaboration with microbiome-related study and technology platforms at the Harvard Chan School and Broad Institute.

· Scientific communication, particularly advocacy for the HCMPH and national and international conference and symposium presentations detailing Center research.

· Outreach to current and potential industry and foundation partners for project and bioactive lead development, including interactions with the Harvard Office of Technology & Development, the Harvard Chan Office of Research Strategy and Development, and the Harvard Chan Office of External Relations.

· Ph.D. in Molecular Biology, Computational Biology, or related fields, with advanced research skills and at least 5 years of related experience. Combination of molecular biology and computational expertise preferred.

· Experience participating in and/or coordinating collaborative experimental or computational microbiology projects.

· Excellent record of contributions, publications, presentations and scientific leadership responsibilities; primary or key author on major reports, presentations and papers.

· Must have the ability to interact with and influence both internal and external interdisciplinary scientists, engineers, and clinicians.

· Must be able to handle a variety of tasks, to effectively solve problems with numerous and complex variables, and to shift priorities rapidly.

· Must have excellent staff oversight and mentoring skills.

· Demonstrated success in working on complex, novel research problems.

· Creativity, curiosity, and the desire, persistence and ability to create scientific advances in human microbiome science.

Title to be determined based on experience and committee review.  

Nicole Levesque

We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, gender identity, sexual orientation, pregnancy and pregnancy-related conditions or any other characteristic protected by law.