HMS - Postdoctoral Fellow in Cell Biology in Cambridge, Massachusetts at Harvard University

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Harvard University
Cambridge, Massachusetts, 02163, United States
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Job Description

Position
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TitleHMS - Postdoctoral Fellow in Cell Biology
SchoolHarvard Medical School
Department/Area***
Position Description
A developmental biologist who has spent years figuring out how cells choose a fate, how signaling changes that choice, and how those decisions build organized tissues—and who is excited to bring that toolkit to the wonderfully unfamiliar problem of jellyfish development.

The ideal person has taken pluripotent stem cells through carefully controlled differentiation, investigated lineage decisions across more than one cell type, and knows how to turn a complicated biological process into a reproducible protocol. They can think about development at several scales: which signals a cell receives, what identity it adopts, how neighboring cells organize, and how the resulting tissue gets its shape.

They are comfortable moving between perturbing a signaling pathway, tracing where a cell came from, and asking what the tissue-level pattern reveals about the underlying mechanism. They have also spent time thinking about extracellular matrix and tissue architecture, so “development” does not stop at the cell’s fate marker.

For this project, they would bring the perspective of someone who has studied developmental fate decisions in human stem-cell systems and tissue patterning in C. elegans, and who is eager to test which principles travel—and which do not—in a jellyfish. They should be ready to learn the organism’s biology rather than assume it is a tiny vertebrate in a translucent costume. In addition to carrying out research, the successful candidate will be expected to apply for fellowship funding, contribute to the writing of grants and manuscripts, participate in teaching and mentoring of lab members, and contribute to overall lab operations and a collaborative environment.

With this appointment, you are represented by the Harvard Academic Workers (HAW) – UAW for purposes of collective bargaining and matters affecting your compensation and working conditions.
Basic Qualifications
  • Ph.D. or M.D./Ph.D. in such as Cell or Molecular Biology, Chemistry, or related fields.
  • Expertise in the following fields is absolutely required: Stem cells, lineage tracing, single cell sequencing, developmental biology, flow cytometry, FACs, microscopy, working with animals.

Additional Qualifications
If visa sponsorship is needed, Harvard retains the discretion to determine which visa status is appropriate and whether a visa sponsorship application will ultimately be submitted, including payment of any applicable fees.
Special Instructions
Required documents:
  • CV
  • Research summary of PhD work.
  • Cover letter describing your interest in the lab and initial ideas for new research directions or projects you could undertake in the lab.
  • A NOTE with the names and contact information for three people who have agreed to serve as a reference.

Please submit application documents through the ARIeS portal. Applications will be considered on a rolling basis. Selected candidates will be invited for in-person interviews involving a research presentation on past work.

Expected Dates
  • Application deadline: December 2, 2026
  • Start date: The position is expected to start on or around January 11, 2027 with some flexibility.
  • Duration: This is a one-year term position from the date of hire, with the possibility of extension, contingent upon work performance, business need, and continued funding to support the position.
Contact Information
Corey Allard
Harvard Medical School
Department of Cell Biology
250 Longwood Ave.
Boston, MA 02115
Contact Emailcorey_allard@hms.harvard.edu
Salary Range
Salary and Benefits
Minimum Number of References Required3
Maximum Number of References Allowed3
Keywords
EEO/Non-Discrimination Commitment Statement

Harvard University is committed to equal opportunity and non-discrimination. We seek talent from all parts of society and the world, and we strive to ensure everyone at Harvard thrives. Our differences help our community advance Harvard’s academic purposes.

Harvard has an equal employment opportunity policy that outlines our commitment to prohibiting discrimination on the basis of race, ethnicity, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status, religion, disability, or any other characteristic protected by law or identified in the university’s non-discrimination policy. Harvard’s equal employment opportunity policy and non-discrimination policy help all community members participate fully in work and campus life free from harassment and discrimination.

Supplemental Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

    Applicant Documents
    Required Documents
    1. Curriculum Vitae
    2. Cover Letter
    3. Note
    Optional Documents
    1. Statement of Research
    2. Publication

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    Harvard University is a private Ivy League research university located in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Founded in 1636, it is the oldest institution of higher learning in the United States and is recognized globally for its...

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