Job Description

Position Description

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.

Basic Qualifications

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

Additional Qualifications and Skills

• 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.

Working Conditions

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

Additional Information

This is a two-year term position from the date of hire, with the possibility of extension, contingent upon work performance and continued funding to support the position.


The health of our workforce is a priority for Harvard University. With that in mind, we strongly encourage all employees to be up-to-date on CDC-recommended vaccines.


Please note that we are currently conducting a majority of interviews and onboarding remotely and virtually. We appreciate your understanding.


The Harvard Medical School is not able to provide visa sponsorship for this position.


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Benefits

We invite you to visit Harvard's Total Rewards website ( ) to learn more about our outstanding benefits package, which may include:

• 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.

Work Format

Hybrid (partially on-site, partially remote)





Commitment to Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging

We are committed to cultivating an inclusive workplace culture of faculty, staff, and students with diverse backgrounds, styles, abilities, and motivations. We appreciate and leverage the capabilities, insights, and ideas of all individuals. Harvard Medical School Mission and Community Values





EEO Statement
We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, gender identity, sexual orientation, pregnancy and pregnancy-related conditions, or any other characteristic protected by law.

About Harvard University Medical School

Harvard University is devoted to excellence in teaching, learning, and research, and to developing leaders in many disciplines who make a difference globally. The University, which is based in Cambridge and Boston, Massachusetts, has an enrollment of over 20,000 degree candidates, including undergraduate, graduate, and professional students. Harvard has more than 360,000 alumni around the world. The University has twelve degree-granting Schools in addition to the Radcliffe Institute for Advanced Study, offering a truly global education. Established in 1636, Harvard is the oldest institution of higher education in the United States.

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Job Tags

Holiday work, Temporary work, Remote job,

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