What are the responsibilities and job description for the Postdoctoral Researcher: Organs-on-a-Chip & Microfluidic Systems position at Terasaki Institute for Biomedical Innovation?
POSITION OVERVIEW:
The Terasaki Institute for Biomedical Innovation (TIBI) invites applications for a highly motivated and innovative Postdoctoral Fellow to join our interdisciplinary team. This position offers an exciting opportunity to contribute to pioneering research in organs-on-a-chip and microfluidic device platforms aimed at advancing personalized medicine and translational biomedical technologies.
As a leader in precision diagnostics and therapeutics, TIBI partners with clinicians, biotech companies, and pharmaceutical organizations to engineer innovative tools that model human physiology and disease. In this role, you will be responsible for designing, fabricating, and characterizing microfluidic systems and tissue-engineered platforms that mimic organ function in vitro, with applications in disease modeling, drug testing, and therapeutic screening.
This position also provides a unique opportunity to collaborate with academic and clinical experts at the forefront of innovation, enabling impactful research and potential clinical translation.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Design, fabricate, and characterize organs-on-a-chip and microfluidic devices for modeling physiological and pathological processes.
- Integrate cell and tissue cultures within microfluidic systems to simulate organ-level functions.
- Develop analytical workflows for studying disease progression, drug responses, or regenerative cues using organ-on-chip platforms.
- Collaborate closely with biomedical engineers, clinicians, and biologists to tailor platforms to specific applications (e.g., cancer, fibrosis, inflammation).
- Present research outcomes in internal meetings, seminars, and scientific conferences.
- Contribute to hypothesis-driven research projects and publish findings in peer-reviewed journals.
- Assist in preparing grant proposals and submit postdoctoral fellowship applications (NIH, NSF, DoD).
- Support collaborative research efforts within the TIBI research ecosystem.
QUALIFICATIONS (KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND EXPERIENCE):
- Ph.D. in Biomedical Engineering, Bioengineering, Mechanical Engineering, or related fields.
- Ph.D. earned within the past four years.
- Hands-on experience in microfluidic device design and fabrication (e.g., soft lithography, micromilling, 3D printing).
- Familiarity with organ-on-chip systems, tissue culture, and biological assay integration.
- Strong background in experimental design, data analysis, and result interpretation.
- Excellent communication, presentation, and collaboration skills.
- Adaptable, proactive, and open to multidisciplinary teamwork.
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:
- Fine motor skills and visual acuity to perform microfabrication and cell-based assays.
- Occasional standing and walking in lab environments.
Join our dynamic and interdisciplinary research environment to advance the frontiers of tissue-engineered models and human-relevant experimental platforms. Your expertise will contribute directly to the development of cutting-edge tools for predictive and personalized healthcare.
The duties and responsibilities described are not a comprehensive list and that additional tasks may be assigned to the employee from time to time; or the scope of the job may change as necessitated by business demands.
TIBI is committed to promoting diversity and equal employment opportunities. We champion affirmative action to provide fair opportunities for underrepresented minorities, women, individuals with disabilities, and covered veterans. All qualified applicants will receive consideration regardless of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, or protected veteran status.
