Research Assistant

The Fontana lab pioneered a computational platform that models molecular interactions in biological systems. Building on this foundation, we are now enhancing the platform to investigate an emerging frontier in cell biology: the formation of biomolecular condensates through phase separation.

The Research Assistant will work in the Fontana lab to help adapt a computational platform to create new models of how biological molecules interact. Using Python, your role will be to continue the development of this open-source software platform, which will ultimately be used to predict the dynamics of molecular processes in biology.

The work will be performed under the guidance of the PI.

Responsibilities include:

• Identify assumptions currently encoded in the Fontana lab's open-source software package that relate to physical interactions among molecules in the cell cytoplasm. Work with the PI and with physicists to determine whether these assumptions are accurate, and if not how to correct them
• Implement new rules in the Fontana lab open-source software platform to better describe the stochastic interactions among biological molecules resident in the cell cytoplasm
• Design computational experiments to test the ability of the redesigned Fontana lab software platform to describe stochastic chemical behavior of complex biochemical systems, comparing model output with biological behavior
• Organize results of the research for presentation in a number of contexts, including verbal presentation at group meetings, contributing to the preparation of research papers, and enabling the use of the Fontana open-source software platform by the broader scientific community.

4 or more years of experience required. Higher education may count toward years of experience.

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience in computer science, computational biology, mathematics or a related topic, with experience in Python preferred.
• Curiosity about biology, specifically how biological molecules interact and how this can be represented in computational terms.
• Strong programming skills and attention to detail.
• Experience with modeling an advantage.

Mostly remote with in-person meetings several times per month.

• Paid Time Off: 3-4 weeks of accrued vacation time per year (3 weeks for support staff and 4 weeks for administrative/professional staff), 12 accrued sick days per year, 12.5 holidays plus a Winter Recess in December/January, 3 personal days per year (prorated based on date of hire), and up to 12 weeks of paid leave for new parents who are primary care givers.
• Health and Welfare: Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision benefits, disability and life insurance programs, along with voluntary benefits. Most coverage begins as of your start date.
• Work/Life and Wellness: Child and elder/adult care resources including on campus childcare centers, Employee Assistance Program, and wellness programs related to stress management, nutrition, meditation, and more.
• Retirement: University-funded retirement plan with contributions from 5% to 15% of eligible compensation, based on age and earnings with full vesting after 3 years of service.
• Tuition Assistance Program: Competitive program including $40 per class at the Harvard Extension School and reduced tuition through other participating Harvard graduate schools.
• Tuition Reimbursement: Program that provides 75% to 90% reimbursement up to $5,250 per calendar year for eligible courses taken at other accredited institutions.
• Professional Development: Programs and classes at little or no cost, including through the Harvard Center for Workplace Development and LinkedIn Learning.
• Commuting and Transportation: Various commuter options handled through the Parking Office, including discounted parking, half-priced public transportation passes and pre-tax transit passes, biking benefits, and more.
• Harvard Facilities Access, Discounts and Perks: Access to Harvard athletic and fitness facilities, libraries, campus events, credit union, and more, as well as discounts to various types of services (legal, financial, etc.) and cultural and leisure activities throughout metro-Boston.