Post-doctoral Research Fellow, Orthopaedic Infection Research

Mass General Brigham relies on a wide range of professionals to advance our mission as a not-for-profit supporting patient care, research, teaching, and community service. We strive to provide exceptional care and believe high-performing teams drive groundbreaking medical discoveries.

About the role

The Harris Orthopaedics Laboratory, established in 1969, improves patient outcomes through materials science and translational research with an emphasis on orthopaedic applications. The lab is a hub for scientists and engineers focused on developing polymeric and hybrid materials for orthopaedics. This full-time post-doctoral research fellow position is a 3-4 year appointment under Ebru Oral, Associate Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery. The lab is a focal point in the orthopedic research community, developing new materials and test methods for total joint replacements, implanted in over 2 million U.S. patients annually. A current focus is the development of antibacterial controlled release devices to address periprosthetic joint infection, involving materials conception, application processes, characterization, and safety/efficacy testing in preclinical models.

Responsibilities

• Establish monomicrobial and polymicrobial cultures relevant to musculoskeletal and implant-associated infections (primarily Staphylococci).
• Perform physical and biochemical characterization of bacteria (planktonic and biofilms) using conventional bacteriological techniques, microplate-based assays, flow cytometry, and VITEK-based high-throughput technology.
• Characterize antibiotic resistance, tolerance, and virulence.
• Establish cell cultures and associated molecular and biochemical assays.
• Conduct molecular characterization of pathogens and host responses using DNA/RNA extraction, Real-time PCR, NGS Library prep, and RNA-Seq.
• Utilize advanced microscopy, including fluorescence imaging, confocal imaging, live imaging, and electron microscopy (SEM/TEM).
• Perform bacterial transcriptomics and associated bioinformatic analyses for in-depth biofilm characterization.
• Study host-pathogen interactions using in vitro and in vivo models.
• Conduct drug susceptibility testing (MIC/MBC/MBEC) and antibacterial/anticolonization studies of material surfaces.
• Design and develop in-vitro periprosthetic joint infection models and support preclinical in-vivo experiments to characterize bacteria from periprosthetic tissues and retrieved implant materials.
• Supervise biomedical research engineers in experimental work and presentation.
• Collaborate with team members and external partners to support delivery device formulation and preclinical studies for safety and efficacy.

Requirements

• Ph.D. in Biological Sciences, Pharmaceutical Sciences, or Biomedical Engineering.
• Strong background in Microbiology and Molecular Biology.
• Experience with Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis, and gram-negative bacteria, with knowledge of BSL2 lab safety practices.
• Experience establishing in-vitro models for host-pathogen studies and performing bacterial and/or host transcriptomics preferred.
• Familiarity with analytical chemistry and polymer synthesis methods is a plus.

Pay

The compensation range for this role is $70,000–$71,500. Final compensation will be determined based on years of relevant experience, skills, and internal equity.

Schedule

Anticipated start date: December 1, 2025.

Work Location: 80 Blossom Street (onsite).