Postdoctoral Research Fellow at Harvard, USA
Imagine working at one of the world’s most prestigious biomedical institutions while advancing groundbreaking discoveries in Neurobiology Research. Harvard Medical School is offering an exciting opportunity for a Postdoctoral Research Fellow in the renowned Bean Lab in Boston. This Research Fellowship in USA invites ambitious scientists to contribute to innovative ion channel pharmacology research aimed at developing treatments for neurological disorders such as epilepsy, chronic pain, and multiple sclerosis. For early-career life science graduates seeking a transformative research opportunity, this role offers hands-on electrophysiology research, drug discovery collaboration, and mentorship in a globally recognized neuroscience lab.
About the Harvard Medical School
Harvard Medical School is one of the world’s leading institutions for biomedical education and research. Located in Boston, Massachusetts, the school is internationally recognized for groundbreaking discoveries in medicine, neuroscience, and biotechnology. Through its research programs and collaborations with top hospitals and laboratories, Harvard Medical School provides scientists with opportunities to contribute to innovative medical research that improves global health outcomes.
Postdoctoral Research Fellow Details
- Title: Postdoctoral Research Fellow in Neurobiology (Bean Lab)
- School: Harvard Medical School
- Department/Area: Neurobiology
Position Description
Bruce Bean and the Bean Lab at Harvard Medical School in Boston invite applications for a Postdoctoral Research Fellow position.
The research in the Bean Lab focuses on drug discovery, particularly the development of ion channel pharmacology for treating pain, epilepsy, and other neurological disorders. Applications are welcomed from recent PhD graduates interested in these or related fields, especially individuals who can contribute new technologies or perspectives to the lab’s research.
The research work is centered on electrophysiological recordings using the patch clamp technique to characterize:
- The function of ion channels
- Interactions of novel compounds with ion channels
These studies are conducted in:
- Heterologous expression systems
- Native neurons
Responsibilities
The successful candidate will work with Bruce Bean and a team of postdoctoral researchers in the Bean Lab to conduct early-stage drug discovery aimed at identifying novel compounds to treat:
- Pain
- Epilepsy
- Multiple sclerosis
The work will involve electrophysiological studies of ion channels using patch clamp electrophysiological recordings, including:
- Recordings from cloned ion channels in heterologous expression systems
- Recordings from native ion channels in enzymatically isolated neurons or brain slices
In addition to bench research, the candidate will be expected to:
- Develop data management software for managing and analyzing large volumes of electrophysiological data
- Work closely with medicinal chemists to use structure-activity data to design new compounds
- Apply for fellowship funding
- Contribute to the writing of grants and manuscripts
- Participate in teaching and mentoring lab members as needed
- Contribute to overall lab operations and collaborative environment
Basic Qualifications
- Ph.D. or M.D./Ph.D. in Neuroscience, with expertise in cellular neurophysiology or related fields
- Experience in patch clamp–based electrophysiological recording from native neurons
- Expertise in programming with Python and R
- Experience with programming for automated data pipelines involving large data collections
- Expertise with mammalian cell culture and aseptic technique
Special Instructions for Postdoctoral Research Fellow
Required Documents
Applicants are required to submit the following:
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Curriculum Vitae (CV)
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Research summary of PhD work
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Cover letter describing interest in the lab and initial ideas for new research directions or projects that could be undertaken in the lab
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A note containing the names and contact information for three references who have agreed to serve as referees
Application Process
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Application documents must be submitted through the ARIeS portal.
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Applications will be considered on a rolling basis.
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Selected candidates will be invited for in-person interviews, which will include a research presentation on past work.
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References will be requested during the final stages of the consideration process.
Expected Dates
- Start Date: Expected to begin Spring/Summer 2026, with some flexibility
- Duration:
- One-year term position from the date of hire
- Possibility of extension based on:
- Work performance
- Business need
- Continued funding availability
Contact Information
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Contact Person: Bruce Bean, PhD
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Email: [email protected]
