Research Opportunities for HST Students

Submit a new RA opportunity

TWO-YEAR NIH-FUNDED POSTDOC IN FUNCTIONAL NEUROIMAGING: INFANT TEMPERAMENT AS A RISK FACTOR FOR ADOL

Project description:
The Developmental Psychopathology and Neuroimaging Laboratory, an interdisciplinary group (in terms of both training and methods) based at the Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, seeks a postdoctoral fellow for study of the relationship between psychological predispositions and physiological states in infants and development of psychiatric disorder and behavior problems in adolescents and young adults. The lab utilizes structural and functional MRI in conjunction with clinical assessments of psychopathology, neuropsychological studies of information processing, and assessment of autonomic reactivity to cognitive and social stress.

Course/work experience:
Strong computer background (expert use of Linux, scripting, Matlab code, or other programming skills) required. Expertise with one or more of the following required: complex physiological monitoring in the scanner and signal/data processing, acquisition and analysis of MRI/fMRI/DTI data, multimodal/MEG imaging, or neuroanatomy. Candidates should have a doctoral degree in Neuroscience, Cognitive Neuroscience or Psychology, Biomedical Engineering, Computer Science, Physics or related field; excellent interpersonal, organizational, and oral and written English communication skills.

Supervised HST students? no
Appropriate for students with: md phd ms
Funding available? yes
Time commitment? full-time
Start date: May 2008

Comments:
To apply, send CV with description of research and/or computing experience, statement of goals and interests, and names and contact details of three references to PI

Research Assistant: Medical Informatics Research Opportunities

Project description:
Research opportunities are available in Partners HealthCare s Clinical Informatics Research & Development group and the Brigham and Women s Hospital Division of General Medicine. Our group conducts medical informatics research in a range of areas including: Clinical Information Systems, Clinical Decision Support, Terminologies and Information Modeling, Natural Language Processing, Structured Documentation, Data Mining and Text Mining, and Quality Improvement and Patient Safety. We are happy to tailor activities based on student interests as long as there is a good fit, and are also open to supervising student-initiated informatics research. Many of our researchers are also faculty members at Harvard Medical School, and are willing to supervise students working on their theses and dissertations.

Course/work experience:
Skills, experience, or interest in any of the following areas is helpful but not required: programming, databases, statistics, data mining, and natural language processing.

Supervised HST students? no
Appropriate for students with: md phd ms
Funding available? no
Time commitment? half-time
Start date: Flexible; opportunities available year-round

PostDoc Opportunity - Brain Processing in Carpal Tunnel Syndrome and its Response to Acupuncture

Project description:
Applications are invited for a Postdoctoral position available immediately at the Massachusetts General Hospital Athinoula A Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging (http://www.nmr.mgh.harvard.edu). This is a multidisciplinary collaboration between Massachusetts General Hospital and Logan College of Chiropractic involving the application of state-of-the-art fMRI imaging methods to study the neuroplasticity and somatotopy of chronic pain and its response to acupuncture therapy. The candidate will receive a joint appointment to Massachusetts General Hospital and Logan College of Chiropractic. Appointments are for one year, renewable for up to three years upon mutual agreement.

Course/work experience:
Candidates should have a Ph.D. in neuroscience, other biological sciences or biomedical engineering. Experience in computer programming and image processing is essential. Familiarity with fMRI analysis software including FSL, AFNI, and Freesurfer, as well as programming environments such as MATLAB is highly desirable.

Supervised HST students? no
Appropriate for students with: phd
Funding available? yes
Time commitment? full-time
Start date: as soon as possible

Research Assistant in Neuroimaging of Stroke Recovery

Project description:
A full-time research assistant position is available in the MGH/MIT/HMS Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, located in the Charlestown Navy Yard. The successful candidate will work on the development of technology to examine brain activity in humans using combined magnetic resonance imaging (functional, perfusion) and optical imaging, and the implementation of this technology in stroke patients. In addition, the successful candidate will assist in studies on stroke recovery that utilize MRI (functional and diffusion tensor) and magnetoencephalography. The position involves extensive data acquisition and analysis.

Course/work experience:
1) Bachelor s or Master s degree; an engineering degree is preferred; 2) Excellent computer skills including Matlab, Unix/Linux shell scripting, and facility in learning new software; 3) Strong organizational skills with ability to prioritize and troubleshoot effectively; 4) Good interpersonal skills; 5) Experience with signal processing is desirable.

Supervised HST students? no
Appropriate for students with: md phd ms
Funding available? yes
Time commitment? full-time
Start date: Immediately - by late Spring of 2008

Cis Regulatory Codes in Mesoderm Development

RA Position Available: Cis Regulatory Codes in Mesoderm Development A position is available for a student to work in a larger collaborative project aimed at identifying cis regulatory codes important in driving gene expression in various mesodermal cell types in the developing Drosophila embryo. The primary focus of this RA position will be on fusion competent myoblasts in the somatic mesoderm. Ongoing analyses are generating predictions of transcriptional enhancers consisting of DNA binding sites for regulatory transcription factors. As part of this collaborative project, candidate cis regulatory codes are being assessed computationally whicih will then be tested by directed experimentation. Data gathered from this project will be used to identify novel regulators of mesodermal development and the DNA regulatory elements through which they act. These results will also further our understanding of the structure and organization of transcriptional regulatory elements in cell!

Course/work experience:
Prior laboratory experience in genetics or molecular biology is required. Prior laboratory experience with fruit flies and programming skills would be helpful but is not required.

Supervised HST students? yes
Appropriate for students with: md ms
Funding available? yes
Time commitment? half-time
Start date: January 2008

Comments:
For more information, contact: Dr. Martha Bulyk (mlbulyk@receptor.med.harvard.edu). If interested, please send a CV describing your prior research experience and a cover letter stating your interests and background.

Polycystic Kidney Disease Research

A position is available at the one of the three NIH funded national centers on Polycystic Kidney Disease Research at the Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA for a highly motivated, academic oriented post-doctoral fellow to carry out human disease-related research. Projects include the exploration of the signaling pathways of a receptor channel complex (polycystins - GPCR and TRPP channels) and the role of primary cilia in cell cycle and cell division using either cell or animal models.

Course/work experience:
An ideal candidate should have experience in one or more of the following areas: primary cilia biology, cell cycle, cell polarity or planar cell polarity, protein trafficking, live cell imaging, molecular biology, animal models, kidney development, renal physiology, nuclear biochemistry and signal transduction (G protein, Ca 2+ signaling or wnt signaling). Additional skills in primary neuronal culture, mechanosensing and microscopy are highly desirable. Excellent communication and organizational skills, attention to detail, display initiative as well as independence and ability to work in a collaborative environment are required. The candidate will be expected to present research findings at scientific conferences and apply for post-doctoral fellowship during the first year of employment.

Supervised HST students? yes
Appropriate for students with: md phd
Funding available? yes
Time commitment? full-time
Start date: December 1st

Partners HealthCare System offers paid, 12-week summer internships in a variety of Information Systems departments. The Center for IT Leadership (CITL) at Partners HealthCare System is a nonprofit, health research organization based in Charlestown, MA.

Job Description/Responsibilities: CITL is interested in having a summer intern assist CITL with performing literature searches and reviews for one or more new research initiatives. Such assistance entails: - Developing search strategies - Searching literature databases (PubMed) and the Internet (Google) - Retrieving and categorizing studies - Reviewing studies and summarizing findings - Generating and managing study citations CITL will be starting one to two new research projects in the late spring/early summer, and the summer intern would assist with these new projects. Topics include: The Value of Personal Health Records (PHRs). Increasingly, patients and consumers are using different information technologies and medical devices to manage their own care.

Requirements: Graduate students preferred. Will consider college juniors and seniors if they are focusing on healthcare. A strong interest in health care and information technology. Familiarity with healthcare required. Some experience doing literature searches and citation management. A strong desire to learn new research skills or to hone existing skills. A familiarity with computers and standard computing applications: i.e. Microsoft office (Word, Excel, Outlook, Explorer.) Comfortable using electronic media (i.e. the Web) for research. The ability to work closely with senior researchers leading the investigation and analysis of CITL research topics. The ability to work independently, and be highly organized and self-motivated. Excellent communications and writing skills. Able to work independently. Able and willing to learn quickly and take on new projects. Desire to get involved.

Preferred skills: Experience with PubMed and other electronic databases of health care literature. A proven ability to plan and manage a project its tasks, team members, other resources and timeline. Ability to multitask and be flexible, versatile, and adaptable in day-to-day activities. Strong analytical and presentation skills. Strong familiarity with the US health care system and the aptitude to comprehensively analyze health care s evolving information and communications technology infrastructure.

Course/work experience:
Requirements: Graduate students preferred. Will consider college juniors and seniors if they are focusing on healthcare. A strong interest in health care and information technology. Familiarity with healthcare required. Some experience doing literature searches and citation management.

If you are interested in this opportunity or want more information, please email your resume to Emily Moore at emoore13@partners.org.

Supervised HST students? no
Appropriate for students with: md phd ms
Funding available? yes
Time commitment? full-time
Start date: 6/4/07

Pharmacology of Paricardial Inotropes

We are studying the feasibility and efficacy of pericardial sustained release polymeric inotropic drug delivery for the purpose of augmenting contractile myocardial function in surgical patients with preexisting or iatrogenic heart dysfunction from cardiopulmonary bypass machines. This project will involve small rodent models of cardiomyopathy and measurement of contractile function with Millar conductance and pressure catheters. The candidate will learn to design and test controlled release polymeric inotropic drug delivery devices for pericardial application and will characerize the pharmacokinetics of such agents in myocardial tissues. Furthermore, the differential receptor and intracellular response of local versus sytemic administration of inotropic agents will be studied with biologic techniques to characterize the mechanisms of this therapy. This work is a collaboration with the Department of Anesthesia and Pain Medicine at Caritas St. Elizabeth Medical Center.

Course Work / Experience:
- The ideal candidate would have an interest in small mammal surgery, hemodynamic monitoring, clinical pharmacology, cardiovascular physiology, data acquisition systems and signal processing.

This position is appropriate for students with PhD MS or equivalent. This is a full-time position beginning February 2007, and funding is available.

Hyperpolarized Nanoparticles for Magnetic Resonance Imaging

A research position is available for an HST student to join a new collaboration between the Harvard Physics Department, the Harvard Center for Nanoscale Systems, and the Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, to develop nanoparticle-based imaging agents and low-field MRI. The work involves fabricating semiconductor nanoparticles, functionalizing their surfaces, developing techniques to induce hperpolarization, and investigating their use as a targeted imaging agent.

Course / Work Experience:
- Some experience with MRI is helpful

This is a full-time commitment appropriate for students with PhD or equivalent with funding available at Harvard University's Lyman Laboratory.

Starts September or October, 2006.

Contact:
Charles Marcus
marcus@harvard.edu
617-495-3908
http://marcuslab.harvard.edu

Summer Research Experience

Each summer HST and its partner organizations provide research opportunities for undergraduate students in the Summer Institute and lab placements through the VaNTH REU and MSRP programs.

Students are associated with a specific research project, where they work closely with the faculty and other researchers. Students are granted stipends and, in most cases, assistance with housing and travel. All students must be citizens or permanent residents of the United States or its possessions.

Application deadlines are:
January 30, 2006 - Summer Institute Biomedical Optics
January 30, 2006 - MSRP
February 28, 2006 - Summer Institute Bioinformatics
February 28, 2006 - VaNTH REU

Monitoring Parkinson's Disease Patients Using Wearable Systems

The objective of this project is to identify characteristics and measure severity of motor fluctuations in patients with Parkinson's disease (PD) based on wearable sensor data. Improved methods of assessing longitudinal changes in PD would enable optimization of treatment and maximization of patient function. Preliminary results support our hypothesis that motor fluctuations accompanying late-stage PD present with predictable features of accelerometer and electromyographic signals recorded during execution of standardized motor tasks.

The primary activities of the RA will include development of signal-processing procedures for the analysis of wearable sensor data, planning of study protocols, coordination of patient data collection, assistance with preparation of grant applications, and dissemination of results via manuscripts and conference presentations.

The Motion Analysis Laboratory, located on the main campus of the Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital, is currently supported via federal and private funding. Our research is largely focused on rehabilitative applications of wearable technology.

Course/work experience:
- BS/MS in biomedical engineering, electrical engineering, or computer science with emphasis on biomedical signal processing preferred
- Excellent programming skills required (preferably Matlab)
- Experience using data mining tools, pattern recognition techniques (e.g. neural networks, neuro-fuzzy inference systems), and/or nonlinear modeling techniques in biomedical applications would be advantageous.

This is a full-time opportunity starting 5/1/2005 with funding available.

Quantitative Phase Imaging of Live Cells

Experiments performed in our laboratory have demonstrated that novel optical interferometric technology can provide remarkable tools for quantitative biological studies.

In particular, cell displacements that are both tiny (sub-nanometer level) and rapid (millisecond scale) can now be quantified with our new microscopes. This type of information has the potential to provide insight into fundamental phenomena such as single cell dynamics, cell motility, and cell-cell interaction / synchronization. Our lab has a special interest in quantifying noninvasively the mechanical properties of cell membranes.

The G.R. Harrison Spectroscopy Laboratory has an immediate Research Assistant opening in the field of biomedical imaging for a dedicated PhD student. The research will involve stat-of-the-art optics / microscopy experiments on biological samples, computer data acquisition, and analysis.

The activity is being conducted under the direction of Professor Michael Feld and takes place within a dynamic group of students, research engineers, and postdocs. Those interested should send their resumes to Dr. Gabriel Popescu at gpopescu@mit.edu.

Coursework and experience with optics preferred. Experience with MatLab and LabView is a plus.

This opening is appropriate for students with MD and/or PhD degrees.

Funding is available for a full-time commitment, ready immediately.

Research Technical Assistant Position in Functional Neuroimaging at the Martinos Center

Research Technician in Multimodal Neuroimaging
Athinoula A. Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging
Massachusetts General Hospital - East

We are seeking a full time Research Technician with strong computing skills to assist with the work of acquiring and analyzing fMRI data and electrophysiological data. We are interested in where and when the brain is active during language processing in healthy individuals and in patients with schizophrenia.

START DATE: Immediately ? Summer 2005 (flexible).

Requirements:
1) BA, BSc, or MSc degree in Psychology, Computer Science, Biomedical Engineering, or a closely related field
2) Some programming skills in C, MATLAB, and UNIX would be a plus
3) Must be self-motivated, resourceful, be able to multi-task, prioritize, be a team player, and have a strong communication (verbal & written) and interpersonal skills.

In addition to the intellectual reward, the position would give the holder experience of research in cognitive neuroscience using some of the best neuroimaging analysis techniques available.

An ideal research opportunity for someone bound for Graduate School in Cognitive Neuroscience or Biomedical Engineering, or Medical School.

A two-year time commitment is requested. Full-time employees receive full benefits.

OTHER: Salary will be based on qualifications and experience. The Massachusetts General Hospital is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employers. Full-time employees receive full benefits.

Studies in human cancer pathogenesis

Positions are available to study human cancer pathogenesis including:

Cancer genome analysis

1. systematic analysis of the cancer genome by exon resequencing, focusing on protein kinases;
2. systematic analysis of the cancer genome using SNP arrays to identify large-scale chromosomal alterations;
3. computational subtraction for discovery of cancer-causing pathogens

1. Cell transformation and altered signal transduction by lung cancer-derived mutants of the epidermal growth factor receptor gene EGFR;
2. Chromatin modification by complexes containing the menin tumor suppressor protein

Regenerative Medicine Using Micro- and Nanotechnology

Interdisciplinary laboratory seeking individuals to study the role of tissue microarchitecture on liver function. Role of cell organization, cell-matrix interactions, gradients of soluble factors, 3-D scaffold geometry on differentiation for cell-based therapies.

Course/work experience:
Experience in molecular biology, stem cell biology, polymer chemistry, materials science, microfabrication, or nanotechnology preferred

Appropriate for students with: PhD

New therapeutic biologicals

We are creating new protein to treat human diseases using in vitro display technologies and scaffold diversification. We are also engineering existing proteins to produce novel biologicals. The targeted therapeutic areas we are interested in include oncology, immunology and metabolic diseases.

Course/work experience:
Prior experience in molecular biology. Cell culture familiarity helpful.

Appropriate for students with: MD, PhD, or MS

RAs in Computational Biophysics and Molecular Medicine

Research assistantships available for students interested in computational biophysics and molecular medicine. Projects range from molecular simulations of conformational changes in proteins to detailed biochemical studies to extend and validate structural models. Candidates should have a background in experimental biology/biochemistry. Familiarity with UNIX preferred, but not required; no formal training in biophysics is requisite, only an enthusiasm for learning. Funding is available for a full-time position beginning 7/1/04 through the summer; additional funding is available for the 2004-05 academic year.

Research Assistantship in Tissue Engineering-Based Rehabilitation

The VA Boston Healthcare System, Boston Campus (near the HMS campus) has research assistantships available for work on musculoskeletal, cardiac, and lung tissue engineering and spinal cord regeneration employing collagen-glycosaminoglycan scaffolds. The investigative work will entail in vitro and in vivo models, with some studies implementing scaffolds in which plasmid DNA has been incorporated in order to wed gene therapy and tissue engineering. Other work will investigate the effects of mechanical loading on the behavior of cells growing in the scaffolds and on cells in the reparative tissue retrieved from animal models. U.S. citizenship required.

Research positions in Computational Biology/Bioinformatics

Several research positions are open for computationally advanced graduate students interested in applications of physical and computational methods to problems of molecular and cellular biology. Research topics include:

Protein-protein interaction
Graph-theory analysis of biological networks
Simulations and bioinformatic analysis of protein-DNA interactions

Research Assistantship in BWH Thoracic Surgery Lab

An actively growing research laboratory within BWH Thoracic Surgery is involved in the study of hematopoietic stem cell engraftment and the induction of transplantation tolerance for solid organ transplants, and is looking for an eager student investigator interested in pursuing academic research.

Responsibilities can range from summer intern work to learning laboratory techniques and providing technical assistance, to a longer term commitment involving developing and investigating a defined experimental project.

Research Assistantship in developmental neuroimaging, Children's Hospital

Full-time RA needed by the Developmental Neuroimaging Laboratory in the Department of Neurology at Children's Hospital. The Developmental Neuroimaging Laboratory employs advanced neuroimaging techniques to study postnatal cognitive and brain development in children. Magnetic resonance imaging techniques such as volumetric imaging, diffusion tensor imaging (DTI), and functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) are used routinely in the laboratory. A variety of post-imaging data processing techniques are used. Research is multi-disciplinary in nature and combines the expertise of an MR physicist, pediatric neuropsychologist, computer scientist, and pediatric neurologists. The ideal candidate will possess command-line computing skills and familiarity with or interest in developmental neuroscience or psychology.

RA and Postdoc in PET Imaging

Research assistant position and postdoctoral position available for graduate student in engineering or medical physics with high-level programming skills. Research topics include technical development of super high resolution PET imaging techniques, experimental applications with physiological modeling and data analyses.

Research in advanced neuroimaging

A group at the MGH-NMR Center has at least one opening for a graduate student who wishes to do research in advanced clinical neuroimaging. The ideal candidate will have strong quantitative skills including the ability to develop algorithms to do advanced analysis of images from patients with hyperacute stroke and other neurologic diseases. This is a good opportunity to work in a fun, clinically-oriented imaging lab with an emphasis on cutting edge neuro imaging including diffusion weighted MRI, perfusion weighted, and other advanced techniques and their application to provide insight in to pathophysiology and treatment mechanisms for a range of neurologic illnesses.

Research Assistantships in Hyperpolarized Noble Gas MRI

The Hyperpolarized Noble Gas MRI Laboratory at the Brigham and Women's Hospital is looking for graduate students to aid in the development of non-invasive hyperpolarized noble gas MRI technology. A radically new magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) technique is being developed to produce high-contrast images of important body tissues that have resisted conventional MRI techniques. This technology is showing dramatic results for diagnostic imaging of the lungs, brain, and other parts of the body. All aspects of the development of hyperpolarized noble gas MRI technology are addressed by this group, from equipment design and manufacturing to testing and research applications. Graduate RAs are fully supported by this laboratory.

To apply, send CV and brief letter of interest.

Position available in Optical Coherence Tomography

Students and postdocs with experience in electrical engineering, optics, or electronics are sought for work involving Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT), a new method of imaging analogous to ultrasound which measures the intensity of backreflected infrared light rather than sound. OCT provides high resolution (up to 25X higher than any technology in clinical medicine), the ability to engineer small, inexpensive, fiber-optic based catheters and endoscopes, imaging speeds near that of video rate, and the ability to be combined with a range of optical spectroscopic techniques. The work will be performed predominantly at the Electrical Engineering Department at MIT and the Orthopedics Department at Brigham and Women's.

Postdoctoral position in MIT Biology Department

Opening for a molecular biologist interested in a research project aimed at understanding DNA-protein interactions in viral disease mechanisms. The work may lead to novel therapies.

Postdocs in Tissue Engineering-based Rehabilitation

The VA Boston Healthcare System, Boston Campus (near the HMS campus) has three postdoc positions available for work on musculoskeletal tissue engineering employing collagen-glycosaminoglycan scaffolds.

In position #1, the investigative work will entail in vitro and in vivo models. Prior experience with gene transfer would be preferable but is not required.

In position #2, studies will involve the investigation of the effects of mechanical loading on cell-seeded scaffolds in vitro and on reparative tissues retrieved from in vivo models. Graduate education in mechanics and graduate experience in mechanical testing involving tissue or cells is preferable. Coursework and/or research experience utilizing cell and molecular biology techniques is also desirable.

In position #3, studies will entail the investigation of the behavior (biosynthetic activity) of cells (including mesenchymal stem cells) in the scaffolds in vitro and in animal models into which the cell-seeded scaffolds are implanted. Graduate education and graduate research experience in cell and molecular biology is preferred.

All three positions require U.S. citizenship.