The Charles Stark Draper Laboratory

Tissue Engineer

Pharmaceuticals & Biotech
Less than 5 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in relevant fields such as Bioengineering, Biomedical Engineering, or related discipline; Master's preferred.
  • 0-2 years of experience in Bioengineering or related engineering roles.
  • Strong foundation in biology and engineering principles.
  • Excellent problem-solving, communication, and organizational skills.
  • Proficiency in Microsoft Office Applications.

Responsibilities

  • Support design and development of innovative bioengineering solutions.
  • Collaborate on interdisciplinary teams to conduct research and share findings.
  • Apply foundational knowledge to multiple Bioengineering projects.
  • Adapt to changes in program requirements as needed.
  • Identify and communicate challenges to project leadership.

Benefits

  • Environment that combines aspects of academia, government, and industry.
  • Opportunities for career growth and taking on more responsibilities.
  • Supportive team atmosphere that fosters innovation and creativity.
  • Programs to improve work-life balance including flexibility and social events.
Full Job Description

Job Description Summary:

The Bioengineering Division is seeking a Tissue Engineer to support the research and development of cutting-edge technologies. At Draper Bioengineering, we work at the interface between engineering and biology, and the successful applicant will join teams working on Micro-physiological systems (organ-on-chip) and other novel systems which blend complex biology with custom hardware and software. The successful candidate will be enthusiastic, observant, collaborative, and dedicated, and will serve as a subject matter expert, applying their foundational immunology knowledge and experience to exciting, interdisciplinary efforts.

Draper offers a distinctive environment that blends the best aspects of academia, government, and industry. Our supportive team atmosphere fosters innovation, intellectual creativity, and an emphasis on career development. The available position offers the potential for career growth and opportunities to take on more responsibility over time

Job Description:

Duties/Responsibilities
• Support the design and development of innovative bioengineering solutions under the guidance of program leadership.
• Collaborate on interdisciplinary teams to conduct research and communicate findings.
• Apply foundational knowledge to contribute to multiple Bioengineering projects with guidance.
• Adapt appropriately to changes in program requirements.
• Identify challenges associated with assigned work and communicate them to project leadership.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Skills/Abilities
• Strong foundation in biology and/or engineering principles.
• Team player, dedicated, collaborative, observant, and motivated.
• Excellent organizational skills, attention to detail, and verbal and written communication skills.
• Creative problem-solving skills and a passion for innovation.
• Excellent time management skills with the proven ability to meet deadlines and prioritize tasks.
• Enthusiasm for learning and participating in mentorship/mentoring.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Applications.

Education
Requires either a Bachelor's Degree in Bioengineering, Biomedical Engineering, Biochemistry, Chemistry, Cell Biology, Immunology, Microbiology, Molecular Biology, Mechanical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Physics or related fields. Master's degree preferred.

Experience
Requires 0-2 years of Bioengineering or related engineering experience.

Additional Job Description:

  • Develop, optimize, and characterize mammalian organ-specific micro-physiological (MPS) and organ-on-chip models for toxicity, metabolism, and/or disease‑state studies; models of interest include brain/CNS, liver, kidney, lung, gut, vascular, and immune.
  • Apply cell biology, developmental biology, and tissue engineering fundamentals to establish novel cell and tissue models and assays within Draper’s in vitro tissue culture systems under a variety of use-case scenarios.
  • Plan and conduct in vitro technical experiments with Draper’s BSL-2 laboratory using advanced in vitro tissue culture technologies (micro-physiological system; organs-on-chip).
  • Culture, maintain, and manipulate human primary cells and tissues in standard in vitro culture systems and within Draper’s advanced MPS platform technologies.
  • Perform broad suite of molecular, biochemical, and cellular assays (e.g. immunostaining, ELISA, Luminex, flow cytometry, DNA and RNA extraction, qPCR, multi-omics) and biostatical data analysis.
  • Acquire brightfield, fluorescent and high-content confocal microscopy data; process and analyze image sets within automated pipelines to extract quantitative biological insights.
  • Help support creation, version-control, and maintenance of SOPs and analytical methods that are fully compatible within Draper’s platform technologies
  • Collect, interpret, summarize, and effectively present data to project team leads via presentations and for publication.
  • Work collaboratively with team(s) to execute project plans, and support colleagues at the bench through teamwork; foster a collaborative, safety-first lab culture.
  • Troubleshoot experimental challenges in partnership with and with guidance from colleagues and project leadership.
  • Complete all required training, adhere to institutional, governmental, and safety regulations, and champion an environment of compliance.
  • Support day‑to‑day lab organization (reagent sourcing, material preparation, equipment upkeep) to keep the MPS workflow running smoothly.
  • Work in face-paced, milestone-driven interdisciplinary environment where multi-tasking is essential.

Preferred qualifications:

  • Proven cell & tissue culture expertise: Trained in sterile technique and primary mammalian cell culture, including hands-on experience with primary cells, complex co-culture methods, phenotypic and functional assay implementation and development, and media preparation.
  • Technical breadth: Some experience with cell and molecular biology assays and analytical methods (e.g. immunostaining, confocal imaging, DNA / RNA extraction, qPCR, ELISA / Luminex) and biostatistical data analysis; some experience with or exposure to  microbiology (viruses, bacteria, toxins), immunology, synthetic biology, genetic engineering, bioinformatics/data analytic pipelines, image processing, in silico modeling and/or laboratory automation.
  • Advancedinvitrosystem fluency: Experience developing or using advanced in vitro cell and tissue culture platforms (e.g., micro-physiological systems (MPS), organonchip) for mammalian cell and tissue culture models.
  • Strong communication skills: Ability to communicate with engineers and biologists, project leadership and management; proven experience documenting technical work in laboratory notebooks, data summary presentations and/or technical reports.
  • Professional skills: Demonstrated ability to work effectively within a dynamic, collaborative and supportive team, as well as independently; demonstrated flexibility to multi-task, adapt to shifting priorities and thrive in a fast-moving environment.
  • Education: BS in biology or engineering discipline with 1-2 years of academic or industry R&D experience, or MS in biology or engineering discipline with 2 years of academic or industry R&D experience.

Security Requirement:Applicants selected for this position will be required to obtain and maintain a government security clearance.

Connect With Draper for Future Opportunities! If you don't find the right posting in our Career Opportunities, you may for future consideration.

Job Location - City:

Cambridge

Job Location - State:

Massachusetts

Job Location - Postal Code:

The US base salary range for this full-time position is

$62,500.00 - $140,000.00

Our salary ranges are determined by role, level, and location. The range displayed on each job posting reflects the minimum and maximum target salaries for the position across all US locations. Within the range, individual pay is determined by work location and additional factors, including job-related skills, experience, and relevant education or training. Union ranges will be in compliance with the collective bargaining agreement's approved rates by location and role. Your recruiter can share more about the specific salary range for your preferred location during the hiring process.  Please note that the compensation details listed in US role postings reflect the base salary only, and does not include bonuses or benefits.

Our work is very important to us, but so is our life outside of work. Draper supports many programs to improve work-life balance including workplace flexibility, employee clubs ranging from photography to yoga, health and finance workshops, off site social events and discounts to local museums and cultural activities. If this specific job opportunity and the chance to work at a nationally renowned R&D innovation company appeals to you, apply now www.draper.com/careers.

About The Charles Stark Draper Laboratory

Draper Laboratory is an American non-profit research and development organization, headquartered in Cambridge, Massachusetts; its official name is The Charles Stark Draper Laboratory, Inc. The laboratory specializes in the design, development, and deployment of advanced technology solutions to problems in national security, space exploration, health care and energy. The laboratory was founded in 1932 by Charles Stark Draper at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology to develop aeronautical instrumentation, and came to be called the MIT Instrumentation Laboratory. During this period the laboratory is best known for developing the Apollo Guidance Computer, the first silicon integrated circuit based computer. It was renamed for its founder in 1970, and separated from MIT in 1973 to become an independent, non-profit organization. The expertise of the laboratory staff includes the areas of guidance, navigation, and control technologies and systems; fault-tolerant computing; advanced algorithms and software systems; modeling and simulation; and microelectromechanical systems and multichip module technology.
Learn more about The Charles Stark Draper Laboratory

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