Research intern/postdoc positions at Brigham and Women's Hospital/Harvard Medical School

Research intern and postdoctoral positions on biomechanics, bioinspired robotics, mechanical metamaterials, and/or PPE innovation are available at Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School. Candidates with a degree in Mechanical Engineering, Engineering Mechanics, Physics, Biomedical Engineering (or any related field) with strong publication records (for those with PhD) are encouraged to submit a full CV, a cover letter stating research experience and interests, and the contact information of three references to Dr. Zi Chen at zchen33(at)bwh.harvard.edu.

Our group strives to provide a stimulating, interdisciplinary environment with exciting research topics and excellent colleagues where the candidates are trained to become outstanding independent researchers, with sufficient freedom to explore their own ideas while working on well-designed projects. Dr. Chen's research covers  a variety of topics such as mechanics of morphogenesis, multistable structures, soft robotics, collective cell migration, and implantable/wearable biomedical devices, with the focus on the interplay between mechanics, materials and biology.  Dr. Mentzer works on the adaptive and regenerative processes contributing to tissue repair and regeneration. These processes typically involve blood vessel growth (angiogenesis) and changes in the organ surface (mesothelial-mesenchymal transition). The study of these processes involves a multi-scale approach: 1) the regulated expression of genes and molecules, 2) the interactive signaling communication between cells, and 3) the structural/biomechanical relationships leading to adult tissue remodeling (morphogenesis). A recent focus of our approach has been the use of biologic polymers(such as pectin) as tools to explore mesothelial-mesenchymal transition and other fundamental processes essential to normal tissue repair and regeneration. The perturbation of these processes is a major contributor to lung disease and lung cancer.

Brigham and Women’s Hospital (BWH) has been recognized for over a century as a leader in patient care, medical education and research, with expertise in virtually every specialty of medicine and surgery. BWH is considered one of the best in the nation-named a top hospital by U.S. News & World Report for over 20 years, being the second largest teaching hospital of Harvard Medical School and the largest hospital in the Longwood Medical Area in Boston, Massachusetts. Along with Massachusetts General Hospital, it is one of the two founding members of Mass General Brigham, the largest healthcare provider in Massachusetts. Brigham and Women’s Hospital conducts the second largest hospital-based research program in the world, with an annual research budget of more than $630 million. Pioneering achievements at BWH have included the world’s first successful heart valve operation and the world’s first solid organ transplant. BWH is ranked in the top three NIH research funded organizations for the past 25 years. There are over 3,500 active researchers at present and BWH researchers have been recognized with one Lasker Award, four MacArthur Fellows and three Nobel Laureates. Boston is the booming harbor of healthcare innovation, home to some of the most prestigious institutions in the world. BWH is centrally located in the heart of renowned Longwood Medical area, home to some of the world’s leading medical institutions and several colleges and universities. From Boston University to Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, from Northeastern University to Boston Children’s Hospital and Merck pharmaceuticals, social and professional opportunities abound. MIT and Harvard are also just across the bridge. The proximity and partnerships give students and scientists unmatched access to some of the most sought-after internships, clinical rotations, and research opportunities available.