Instructor – Center for Engineering in Medicine and Surgery (CEMS)

The Center for Engineering in Medicine & Surgery (CEMS) at Massachusetts General Hospital serves as a nexus for bioengineering innovation, translating fundamental science into impactful biomedical technologies. A major focus at CEMS is the development of next-generation biopreservation platforms enabling the long-term stabilization of cells, tissues, and organs. These efforts integrate biology, engineering, and data science to address critical challenges in the storage, transport, and accessibility of advanced therapeutics.

CEMS collaborates closely with a broad network of investigators across academia, medicine, and industry to accelerate the development and deployment of scalable preservation solutions.

An Instructor at CEMS will lead efforts to engineer dry-state suspended animation approaches for therapeutic cells, with an emphasis on mechanistic understanding, technology development, and translation toward scalable systems. This position offers eligibility for an academic appointment at Harvard Medical School at the rank of Instructor or Assistant Professor.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop predictive computational models to characterize heat and mass transfer, phase behavior, and transport phenomena during cellular drying and rehydration.
• Design and validate quantitative assays, biomarkers, and functional readouts to assess post-preservation cell viability, potency, and stability.
• Engineer and prototype integrated platforms for controlled, reproducible drying and recovery of mammalian cells, with an emphasis on automation and scalability.
• Conduct independent and collaborative research on ambient-temperature preservation of cell-based therapies, advancing both fundamental understanding and translational methodologies.
• Contribute to the integration of multidisciplinary efforts spanning biomaterials, intracellular stabilization strategies, process engineering, and manufacturing.
• Mentor and train postdoctoral fellows, graduate students, and research staff within a highly collaborative team environment.
• Lead the preparation of complex programmatic reports by synthesizing data across multiple technical areas and partner groups.
• Establish and oversee data management frameworks to ensure rigorous tracking, reproducibility, and timely reporting of research outputs.
• Coordinate cross-functional activities, including technical meetings, external advisory interactions, and multi-institutional collaborations.
• Support operational and organizational activities, including planning of site visits, workshops, and scientific convenings, and alignment with institutional leadership.

Requirements

• PhD in engineering, applied physics, bioengineering, or a related field.

Preferred Qualifications

• Postdoctoral research experience (>3 years) with demonstrated scientific independence.
• Experience with advanced biological assays to assess cell viability, function, and therapeutic potency.
• Demonstrated ability to work across disciplines and contribute to large, team-oriented research efforts.
• Interest in translating laboratory discoveries into scalable, real-world technologies.

Mass General Brigham and the Department of Surgery are committed to ensuring our community feels welcome, cared for, and valued. Candidates who have experience working with a broad range of faculty, staff, and patients, are encouraged to apply.

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.

A selection committee, headed by Dr. Mehmet Toner, co-Director, CEMS, Mass General Brigham, will be reviewing all applicants. Interested candidates should submit curriculum vitae and letter of interest by email to: Gerard M. Doherty, M.D., Chair, Department of Surgery, Mass General Brigham at: mgbsurgeryfacultyaffairs@mgb.org.

• PhD in engineering, applied physics, bioengineering, or a related field.

About Mass General Brigham

The Department of Surgery at Mass General Brigham is among the most highly regarded surgical services in the world, with a proud history of clinical and academic achievement. Our internationally renowned surgeons create pioneering breakthroughs that make a difference for patients today, as well as for generations to come. We are committed to delivering world-class, collaborative patient care with a profoundly human touch, while advancing scientific research and training the surgical innovators of tomorrow.

Connections working at Mass General Brigham