Post Doctoral.Post Doctoral.Associate

We are seeking a highly motivated postdoctoral fellow with strong training in molecular and cellular biology to lead mechanistic studies focused on host responses to biomaterials used in female pelvic reconstructive surgery.

Our laboratory develops and evaluates advanced graft materials - including polypropylene meshes, 3D elastomeric membranes, and regenerative extracellular matrix scaffold - across translational models ranging from rodents to nonhuman primates. Experimental platforms include engineered 3D biochambers and microfluidic systems that recapitulate physiologic tissue environments. The lab also has access to well-annotated human tissue samples and biorepositories, enabling direct comparison between preclinical models and human biology.

The successful Candidate will design and execute hypothesis-driven studies to define how matrix properties regulate cellular behavior, immune activation, and tissue remodeling following implantation. Areas of focus include signaling pathways, transcriptional regulation, and mechanotransduction in stromal and immune cell populations.

Approaches include:

• Primary cell culture and co-culture systems (fibroblasts, smooth muscle cells, immune populations)
• Immunohistochemistry and high-resolution imaging with spatial analysis
• Flow cytometry and cell sorting for immune and stromal phenotyping
• Functional assays (proliferation, apoptosis, migration, matrix production)
• Multi-omic profiling (scRNA-seq, ATAC-seq, spatial transcriptomics) with integrative analysis

The fellow will be expected to contribute to both experimental design and quantitative analysis of high-dimensional datasets (experience in R or Python preferred). Ongoing collaborations with engineering and computational groups provide opportunities to incorporate microfabrication, modeling, and AI-based approaches for data integration and predictive analysis.

This position offers a rigorous research environment with strong emphasis on mechanistic biology, access to large-animal models, and direct linkage to human tissue studies. The Candidate will be supported in developing an independent research program, including first-author publications and preparation of career development funding applications. Early PhD is required.

The University of Pittsburgh is an equal opportunity employer / disability / veteran.

PI284505880