Postdoctoral Research Fellow - Computational Biology / Bioinformatics

Summary

Visterra is seeking a highly talented, self-motivated, and innovative Postdoctoral Research Fellow to join our Technology Platform team. This role offers a unique opportunity to work at the intersection of computational biology and therapeutic discovery, applying cutting-edge single-cell and spatial transcriptomics to advance precision medicine. The fellow will conceptualize and implement advanced machine learning approaches for analyzing large-scale single-cell multi-omic and spatial transcriptomics datasets to derive novel biological insights.

This position provides an opportunity to directly impact drug discovery and clinical development. By collaborating across interdisciplinary teams, the fellow will integrate single-cell and spatial datasets into precision medicine strategies for immune and kidney diseases. Unlike many postdoctoral positions, this role bridges discovery and clinical applications, allowing for direct influence on therapeutic programs.

About Visterra’s Technology Platform Team

Our interdisciplinary team of wet-lab biologists and computational biologists employs state-of-the-art single-cell genomics, spatial transcriptomics, and multi-omic approaches to advance therapeutic discovery and development. Areas of focus include:

·        New target identification

·        Disease characterization

·        Mechanism-of-action studies

·        Clinical trial biomarker development

This temporary, full-time position is on-site at Visterra’s offices in Waltham, MA, with an expected duration of 18 months. The fellowship provides an excellent opportunity to gain valuable experience in computational biology at Visterra. Exceptional performers may be considered for long-term career opportunities within the company.

Responsibilities

·        Develop and implement advanced machine learning and computational strategies, including deep learning, graph-based methods, and probabilistic modeling, to extract insights from multi-omic single-cell and spatial datasets.

·        Collaborate with internal and external scientists and clinicians to drive insights from multi-omic data, supporting novel therapeutic development.

·        Independently analyze scientific results, troubleshoot computational approaches, and design innovative workflows.

·        Clearly communicate complex data findings to colleagues and senior management.

·        Engage in research discussions, proactively suggesting innovative solutions to impact discovery and clinical programs.

·        Stay current with advancements in computational biology by reviewing literature, evaluating new technologies, and implementing relevant methodologies.

·        Present research findings at conferences and publish in scientific journals. Institutional support is available for conference travel and publication fees.

Qualifications

·        Ph.D. or equivalent in computational biology, bioinformatics, or a related field.

·        Expertise in single-cell genomics (scRNA-seq) or spatial transcriptomics.

·        Proficiency in computational tools such as Seurat, Scanpy, and other relevant methods.

·        Strong programming skills in Python and/or R for bioinformatics applications.

·        Experience working in high-performance computing frameworks.

·        Excellent collaboration and interpersonal skills for multi-disciplinary teamwork.

·        Strong problem-solving abilities, analytical thinking, and intellectual curiosity.

·        Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to present complex ideas clearly to diverse audiences.

·        Passion for developing computational technologies for biological research and translating findings into therapeutic applications in precision medicine and translational research.

Travel: Occasional travel to local and national conferences.

Job Type: Full-time, on-site, temporary with a fixed term.

Company

Visterra is a team of 125 talented and driven individuals working collaboratively to develop a pipeline of innovative antibody-based therapies for patients with unmet needs. Our proprietary technology platform, powered by a state-of-the-art laboratory, enables the design and engineering of precision antibody-based therapeutics that selectively modulate key disease targets. Our focus includes kidney, immune, and other hard-to-treat diseases.

As a subsidiary of Otsuka Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. of Japan, Visterra benefits from the agility of an innovative, dynamic biotech environment, while also enjoying the stability and long-term vision of a 100-year-old global company.

Visterra is an equal opportunity employer. We provide equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants and prohibit discrimination and harassment based on race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.