Research Scientist II Traverso Lab
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Job Location:
Cambridge, MA - USA
Monthly Salary:
Not Disclosed
Posted on:
Yesterday
Vacancies:
1 Vacancy
Job Summary
General information
Location
Cambridge MA
Ref #
43964
Job Family
Research
Workplace
On-Site
Date published
04/02/2026
Time Type
Full time
Pay Range
$100000.00/yr - $140000.00/yr
Description & Requirements
- Development of heat-stable Bifidobacterium infantis formulations for neonatal use in low-resource settings.
- Stabilization and vaginal delivery optimization of novel Lactobacillus crispatus strains to promote durable microbiome engraftment.
The successful candidate will lead experimental strategies to engineer stress-resilient bacterial formulations capable of withstanding temperature humidity oxygen exposure and mechanical stress while maintaining biological function and manufacturability.
This is a translational science position requiring strong biochemical and microbiological expertise combined with formulation and materials insight.
Primary Responsibilities
Microbial Stabilization & Extremophile-Inspired Formulation
- Design and execute iterative excipient screening programs to enhance bacterial viability during lyophilization spray-drying and storage.
- Develop synthetic extremophile strategies to enable heat and stress tolerance of Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium strains.
- Evaluate protective roles of amino acids carboxylic acids sugars antioxidants and lipid matrices.
- Investigate excipientbacteria interactions at a mechanistic level (membrane integrity osmotic balance oxidative stress resistance).
- Conduct accelerated stability testing (thermal and humidity stress) and interpret viability data rigorously.
Delivery System & Translational Development
- Develop scalable delivery formats including lyophilized powders spray-dried materials tablets/capsules and oleogel-based systems.
- Characterize physicochemical parameters including moisture content glass transition behavior rheology and dissolution kinetics.
- Support preclinical colonization and performance studies in collaboration with in vivo teams.
- Build reproducible SOPs for scale-up and CDMO transfer.
- Contribute to manufacturing readiness and regulatory documentation.
Scientific Leadership & Data Integration
- Independently design experiments and refine research strategy based on data.
- Analyze complex datasets and draw conclusions that guide formulation optimization.
- Contribute significantly to peer-reviewed publications patents and grant reporting.
- Present results internally and externally.
- Mentor trainees and junior researchers.
Qualifications
Required
- PhD plus 2 years of relevant experience with demonstrated success designing complex experiments independently interpreting data and contributing significantly to publications and funding efforts.
- PhD in Biochemistry Molecular Biology Chemical Engineering Bioengineering Pharmaceutical Sciences or related field.
- Demonstrated expertise in microbial culture and anaerobic systems.
- Experience with lyophilization and/or spray-drying of biologics or microbial systems.
- Strong foundation in biochemical mechanisms underlying cellular stress tolerance.
- Experience designing iterative screening workflows and optimizing formulations.
- Track record of peer-reviewed publications.
Preferred
- Direct experience stabilizing Lactobacillus Bifidobacterium or related organisms.
- Experience developing formulations that improve viability under high temperature or oxidative stress.
- Background in peptide/protein stabilization or membrane biophysics.
- Experience translating laboratory findings toward manufacturable products.
- Interest in global health deployment and cold-chainindependent technologies.
Why This Role Is Unique
This position offers the opportunity to:
- Engineer next-generation microbial formulations capable of withstanding extreme environments.
- Translate mechanistic biochemical insight into deployable scalable therapeutic systems.
- Contribute directly to technologies aimed at reducing neonatal mortality and improving womens health globally.
- Work within a highly interdisciplinary environment spanning MIT Brigham and Womens Hospital and the Broad Institute.
About L4TE
The Laboratory for Translational Engineering develops advanced drug delivery systems ingestible and implantable devices novel biomaterials and diagnostic platforms. The lab operates at the interface of engineering biology and medicine with a strong emphasis on rapid translation and global impact.
The expected base pay range for this position as listed above is based on a 40 hour per week schedule. Broad provides pay ranges representing its reasonable and good faith estimate of what the organization reasonably expects to pay for a position at the time of posting. Actual compensation will vary based on factors including but not limited to relevant skills experience education qualifications and other factors permissible by law.
At Broad your base pay is just one part of a comprehensive total rewards package. From day one this role offers a competitive benefits package including medical dental vision life and disability insurance; a 401(k) retirement plan; flexible spending and health savings accounts; at least 13 paid holidays; winter closure; paid time off; parental and family care leave; and an employee assistance program among other Broad benefits.
The Broad Institute is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race national origin religion age color sex disability protected veteran status or any other characteristic protected by local state or federal laws rules or regulations.
Should you need a reasonable accommodation to complete the application or interview process please contact for assistance.
Required Experience:
IC
Key Skills
About Company
Broad Institute is a multidisciplinary community of researchers on a mission to improve human health.
