Current Open CNS Positions:

Bio-Soft Lithography Engineer

Position Description

The Center for Nanoscale Systems (CNS) at Harvard University seeks an enthusiastic, scientifically curious individual with a strong growth mindset to work within the Imaging and Analysis Group as a Scientist focused primarily on teaching and supporting researchers about microfluidic device fabrication and cell culture techniques.

CNS is an open, shared-use facility that serves all of Harvard as well as external academic and industrial users. CNS typically supports more than 1,700 users annually. Working under the supervision of the Imaging and Analysis Facility Manager, and in coordination with the other

Imaging and Analysis staff at CNS, this person will assist in the day-to-day operation of the soft lithography fabrication laboratory at the Science and Engineering Complex in Allston, MA the soft lithography fabrication laboratory and the cell culture laboratory both in the Laboratory for Science and Engineering Cambridge, MA.

Day to day operations of these labs include teaching users safe and correct tool operation and working with users on experimental design, device design, sample preparation, data analysis, and data interpretation.

This person will also be responsible for overseeing CNS’s compliance with Harvard and government safety laws and regulations. Their duties include coordinating with the CNS safety officer to identify potential risks, implementing policies and procedures to uphold safety regulations and monitoring their workplace for adherence to those policies and procedures.

The candidate should be excited about teaching and assisting researchers in their scientific endeavors. The mission of this position is to enable and support other researchers’ scientific and engineering endeavors. Strong teaching and interpersonal skills, e.g. approachability, patience, adaptability, confidence, ability to provide clear and concise explanations of complicated concepts, creativity, critical thinking, etc. are essential for this position.

There is also a fair component of equipment maintenance, equipment trouble shooting, and general shared use lab management in the day-to-day operations of these labs.

The candidate needs to be comfortable in a dynamic and fast paced environment assisting users on a wide variety of different types of projects from all across the range of biological and physical sciences. The candidate must have the willingness and the ability to quickly become an expert on a variety of topics. Being a science generalist is key to success in this position.

The incumbent will become resources for the CNS scientific community and must have strong written and verbal communication skills to convey information effectively and efficiently.

The candidate will also on occasion perform work for remote CNS users. Detailed record keeping of instrument activity, experimental results, maintenance, and repair logs, and authoring if standard operating procedures is expected.

Basic Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in a scientific or engineering discipline and at least two years of relevant work experience; OR
A minimum of seven years of relevant work experience or equivalent combination of education and experience

Additional Qualifications and Skills

The candidate should be self-motivated and able to work independently with a strong desire to acquire on-the-job training, to succeed, and to develop intellectual and practical professional skills.
Excellent verbal and written skills required.
Demonstrated ability to work well in teams and with graduate and undergraduate students is essential.
The candidate must have significant experience in a variety of laboratory environments and be fully comfortable working in a lab environment on a wide variety of tools and projects. Expertise in microfluidic device design and fabrication.
Expertise in aseptic techniques for cell culturing.
Familiarity with rapid prototyping such as laser cutting and 3D printing.
Familiarity with safe handling of nanoparticles.
Familiarity with gas adsorption for surface area and porosity measurements, and chemisorption and dynamic adsorption studies for characterizing active surfaces.
Familiarity with fluorescence plate readers, dynamic light scattering (DLS) measurements, zeta potential measurements, freeze dryers, ball mills, stylus profilers, optical microscopes.

Physical Requirements

Must be able to work in an imaging facility, cleanroom, biological, chemical, and characterization laboratory environments.
Will work around compressed gases, cryogens, ovens, acids, bases, oxidizers, solvents, vacuum pump oils, and other chemicals. Must be very dexterous; may be required to work on large and small assemblies.
Ability to lift 50 lbs on occasion.

Working Conditions

Laboratories (BL2, BL], cleanroom) and office setting.

Additional Information

This work is performed on campus in Cambridge and Allston, MA

Work Format Details

This position is based primarily on-campus, in Massachusetts. This may include in-person during emergency situations (if applicable). Additional details will be discussed during the interview process. Certain visa types may limit work location. Individuals must meet work location sponsorship requirements prior to employment.

Benefits

We invite you to visit Harvard’s Total Rewards website (https://hr.harvard.edu/totalrewards) 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.

To apply please visit https://hr.harvard.edu/search-jobs

Equipment Engineer – Nanofabrication

Position Description

The Center for Nanoscale Systems (CNS) at Harvard University seeks a talented, enthusiastic individual to work within the nanofabrication facility as a senior equipment engineer, assisting operations of a diverse range of state-of-the-art fabrication equipment, and supporting the research applications of CNS users. Reporting to the Manager of the Nanofabrication Facility, this position’s duties and responsibilities include:
Provide technical expertise in equipment maintenance, tool capability enhancement, and troubleshooting to the component level for multiple pieces of process equipment and related nanofabrication tools, including physical vapor deposition, (sputtering, thermal/E-beam deposition), reactive ion etchers (RIE), plasma stripper, photolithography systems, various chemical vapor deposition (CVD) platforms, high temperature furnaces. Familiarty with high vacuum chambers and the use of toxic and/or flammable gases and chemical systems.
Work with CNS staff and critical users to design, implement and perform a successful preventative maintenance program throughout the facility to improve equipment reliability and performance.
Work with CNS staff and participate in some special user research projects to evaluate, design, expand, and maintain the equipment capability and process recipes.
Be responsible for the installation and commissioning of new equipment, including supervising facility construction, performing tool acceptance tests, and preparing tool logs. Coordinate and interface with the equipment vendors for tool inspection, repair, PM, and monitoring service contracts.
Conduct user training in the areas of thin film deposition, thermal processes, dry etching, and other nanofabrication processes. Prepare training materials including SOPs and related documents.
As a member of Emergency Response Team (ERT), train users on best safety practices, and help to monitor laboratory safety compliance.
CNS is an open, shared-use facility that serves Harvard as well as external academic and industrial users. Collaboration with other CNS personnel to achieve objectives and enhance service quality is highly expected.

Basic Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in an engineering or related field and a minimum of three years’ relevant work experience; or
A minimum of seven years of relevant work experience or equivalent combination of education and experience

Additional Qualifications and Skills

Graduate degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Surface Science, Physics, Material Science, Chemical Engineering, or a related field is desirable. Cleanroom fabrication experience, especially in film deposition (PVD, CVD, LPCVD, ALD), plasma etching (ICP, ECR, DRIE), lithography (photo and E-beam), high temperature and vacuum system, is highly desirable. Excellent communication skills are required. The candidate should be self-motivated with a strong desire to acquire on-the-job training, to succeed, and to develop intellectual, and practical professional skills. Demonstrated ability to work well in teams is essential.

Physical Requirements

Physical Requirements: Must be able to work in cleanroom, chemical, and measurement laboratory environments. Will work around compressed gases, acids, solvents, vacuum pump oils, and other chemicals. Must be very dexterous; will be required to work on large and small assemblies.

Working Conditions

Reserch Lab and cleanroom

Additional Information

This is a one year term position

We are unable to provide visa sponsorship now or in the future

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.

To apply please visit https://hr.harvard.edu/search-jobs