Contact the Harris Orthopaedics Laboratory

55 Fruit Street
Jackson Building 1206
Boston, MA 02114

Harris Orthopaedics Laboratory617-726-3869

Graduate Students

Visiting Graduate Student
The Harris Orthopedic Laboratory (HOL) at MGH specializes in translational research for orthopedic biomaterials and implants. HOL is looking to train MD/PhD and PhD students in polymeric material development and translational research in orthopaedics. The laboratory is a focal point in the orthopedic research community for development of new materials, designs and clinically relevant testing methodology for total joint replacements, which are implanted in over 1 million patients in the US alone each year. This is a great opportunity for science and engineering students looking for hands-on experience in biomedical applications.

We are interested in a variety of topics pertaining to orthopaedics such as improving the performance of materials, designs and developing methodologies to help bridge the gap between in vitro testing and in vivo performance of implantable devices. We are interested in treating orthopaedic conditions such as post-traumatic arthritis, peri-prosthetic osteolysis, peri-prosthetic and post-traumatic infection, and pain management.

We are open to collaborations where graduate students already enrolled in a PhD program in science or engineering with the pertinent experience can incorporate 1-2 years of laboratory training at the HOL into their thesis work.

Contact Person: Ebru Oral, PhD (eoral@mgh.harvard.edu)

Post-Doctoral Fellowships

There are no available openings at this time

Material Engineering & Preclinical Research

Biomedical Engineering Position in Translational Research (Entry Level)

General Overview
The pioneering efforts of the Harris Orthopaedics Laboratory have positively impacted the quality of life of millions of patients through innovation since its inception in 1969. The mission of the laboratory is to improve patient outcomes through materials science and clinical research with an emphasis on orthopaedic applications.

Harris Orthopaedics Laboratory is focused on the development of polymeric and hybrid materials for applications in orthopaedics. We are seeking a highly motivated individual for an entry-level research position to support our translational research program in implantable biomaterial development, starting in June 2022 or earlier. This position is ideal for new engineering graduates interested in the medical application of basic research and is a great opportunity for those who want to gain some experience before continuing their education in graduate or medical school.

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following activities:

Specific technical functions:

  • Laboratory formulation including preparation of macromers, polymers, polymer blends, polymeric consolidation
  • Modification of polymers including outside services such as radiation processing
  • Characterization of polymers on-site and local off-site research facilities including drug elution, mechanical and fatigue testing, wear testing, thermal and structural characterization
  • Processing of data to evaluate the efficacy of materials in animal models including gait analysis and micro-computed tomography image analysis
  • May include bacterial culture studies on processed polymeric materials using various assays

General laboratory functions:

  • Assembly, operation, maintaining operation protocols, scheduling management and some maintenance of assigned equipment
  • Ordering supplies and keeping track of related inventory
  • Maintaining clean equipment, glassware and laboratory space
  • Storing data, samples, and protocols in the appropriate locations in the appropriate formats
  • Working alongside other research technicians, MD students, PhD students and post-doctoral fellows

Administrative/reporting functions:

  • Organizing and accurately maintaining written records of procedures and data
  • Generating and compiling experimental information/results in graphs, charts, and reports.
  • Preparing written and/or verbal reports for supervisor and/or senior research personnel.
  • Collaborating with team members and supervisor(s) in developing research methodologies and research objectives
  • Collaborating with team members and supervisor(s) in writing and editing material for publication; opportunity for authorship in publications

Skills/Abilities/Qualifications

  • Must have BS. Non-engineering degrees will ONLY be considered with relevant experience.
  • Must have at least one non-course based laboratory research experience, such as a summer internship or research assistantship.
  • Coursework and/or internship experience in biomaterials with emphasis on polymeric materials a plus.
  • Coursework and/or laboratory experience with bacterial culture methods or animals a plus.
  • Robust written and oral communication skills, attention to detail, and strong organizational skills are all expected. Independence, self-motivation, and a willingness to learn new skills are also vital for succeeding in this position.
  • Must have solid, practical skills in Microsoft Office applications. Demonstrated proficiency in Matlab is a plus.

This position requires strong academic performance (minimum 3.2 GPA is preferred). The ideal candidate will also have had prior research experience. Preference will be given to a candidate planning to matriculate at a medical or graduate school in 2024 or later.

How to Apply

Please submit your resume, cover letter, and unofficial transcript to Mehmet Asik, PhD at masik@mgh.harvard.edu. We will review applications as they are received; earlier applicants will receive priority.

Clinical Studies

There are no available openings at this time.

Clinical Fellowships

There are no available openings at this time.

Undergraduate Internships

Translational Research Intern Position at the Harris Orthopaedics Laboratory

General Overview
A ten to twelve-week Research Intern position with a stipend is available from June to August 2023. The internship will include an introduction into material formulation and testing of drug delivery devices in orthopaedic applications such as joint arthroplasty, trauma and spine. Interns will have the opportunity to be exposed to the translational research environment through interaction with other members of the Harris Laboratory and gain insight into design of medical devices, in-vitro characterization, preclinical testing of safety and efficacy and clinical follow-up research of implanted materials. Upon successful completion of the internship, the intern may be considered for in-semester internship or for a full-time research technician position.

Depending on the specific project, responsibilities will include some of the following activities:

  • Laboratory formulation including preparation of polymers, blends of polymers, photo and thermal polymerization, polymeric consolidation
  • Characterization of polymers on-site and off-site at available facilities in Boston including elution testing, mechanical, fatigue testing and structural characterization
  • Anti-bacterial method development and anti-bacterial material characterization using bacterial cultures in a BSL-2 setting
  • May include support for pre-clinical testing including preparing tissue and blood specimens for post-surgical material analysis and characterization of retrieved implants
  • May include data processing for gait analysis or characterization of structural material properties

General Laboratory Functions:

  • Assembly, operation, maintaining operation protocols, and some maintenance of used equipment
  • Maintaining clean equipment, glassware and laboratory space
  • Working alongside research technologists, MD students, PhD students and post-doctoral fellows

Administrative/Reporting Functions

  • Organizing and accurately maintaining written records of procedures and data
  • Generating and compiling experimental information/results in graphs, charts, and reports
  • Preparing written and/or verbal reports for supervisor and/or senior research personnel

Skills/Abilities/Qualifications

  • The ideal candidate will be a rising senior on the pre-med track, majoring preferably in Chemical/Biomedical Engineering who has demonstrated strong academic performance (minimum 3.3 GPA is preferred). Preference will be given to a candidate planning to matriculate at medical or graduate school in 2026-2028
  • Coursework and/or internship experience in polymeric materials a plus
  • Robust written and oral communication skills, attention to detail, and strong organizational skills are all expected. Independence, self-motivation, and a willingness to learn new skills are also vital for succeeding in this position

How to Apply

Please submit your resume, cover letter and unofficial transcript to Mehmet Asik, PhD at masik@mgh.harvard.edu by February 28, 2023.