RESEARCH FELLOW

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How to Apply

A cover letter is required for consideration for this position and should be attached as the first page of your resume. The cover letter should address your specific interest in the position and outline skills and experience that directly relate to this position.

Who We Are

At Michigan Engineering, we develop the talent and technologies that move society forward and serve our state and national interests. Through discovery and innovation, we create the foundational knowledge and practical technologies to solve not only today's most pressing challenges, but also power industries and change lives. Our programs and community are designed to promote personal well-being and achievement enabling everyone to unlock their potential and contribute with confidence.

Job Summary

The PRecision Immune MicroEnvironments (PRIME) lab in the Department of Biomedical Engineering (https://immunoengineers.com) seeks a Postdoctoral Research Fellow to conduct new studies at the intersection of biomaterials and synthetic biology. Our work broadly focuses on understanding immune dysfunction in autoimmunity and chronic wounds and working with biomaterials and synthetic biology to diagnose / treat these conditions. The Research Fellow will work under the guidance of the laboratory PI, Dr. Aaron Morris, and together with other lab personnel. There are several open projects in the lab that range from drug and cell delivery to reprogram T cells in chronic wounds to materials for antigen delivery for assaying antigen-specific cells in autoimmunity to fabricating 3D models of lymphoid tissue.

Research Fellows will have opportunities to learn cutting edge techniques including biomaterials fabrication and characterization, synthetic receptor design, cell engineering, microphysiological models, scRNAseq, and rodent models of disease. The selected candidate will receive direct mentoring from PI and opportunities to write high impact manuscripts and contribute to grant proposals.

Responsibilities*

• Design and execute experiments that leverage biomaterials and/or synthetic biology approaches to tune immune responses.
• Fabricate and characterize biomaterial drug delivery systems targeting immune function.
• Molecular biology (work with bacteria, recombinant DNA).
• Cell culture and analysis in both 2D and 3D.
• Conduct / manage studies in mice.
• Managing and analyzing data (MATLAB, Graphpad, R Studio).

Required Qualifications*

• PhD in a relevant field such as bioengineering, molecular biology, or biochemistry.
• Experience with biomaterials fabrication or synthetic biology.
• Candidates must be interested in working with technical aspects of synthetic biology and/or biomaterials development with a desire to tackle challenging scientific and engineering questions.
• Proficiency with cell culture is expected and experience culturing primary immune cells is preferred.
• Proficiency with molecular cloning and/or plasmid DNA delivery.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Experience with rodent handling.
• Candidates should have the ability to work collegially and collaboratively in a team environment and independently. Effective interaction with faculty and peers is expected.

Desired Qualifications*

• Expertise in drug delivery.
• Proficiency with flow cytometry.
• Experience analyzing large sequencing datasets, particularly scRNAseq.
• Working knowledge of immunology.

Why Work at Michigan?

In addition to a career filled with purpose and opportunity, The University of Michigan offers a comprehensive benefits package to help you stay well, protect yourself and your family and plan for a secure future. Benefits include:

• Generous time off
• A retirement plan that provides two-for-one matching contributions with immediate vesting
• Many choices for comprehensive health insurance
• Life insurance
• Long-term disability coverage
• Flexible spending accounts for healthcare and dependent care expenses
• Maternity and Parental Leave

Modes of Work

Positions that are eligible for hybrid or mobile/remote work mode are at the discretion of the hiring department. Work agreements are reviewed annually at a minimum and are subject to change at any time, and for any reason, throughout the course of employment. Learn more about the work modes.

Background Screening

The University of Michigan conducts background checks on all job candidates upon acceptance of a contingent offer and may use a third party administrator to conduct background checks. Background checks are performed in compliance with the Fair Credit Reporting Act.

Application Deadline

Job openings are posted for a minimum of seven calendar days. The review and selection process may begin as early as the eighth day after posting. This opening may be removed from posting boards and filled any time after the minimum posting period has ended.

U-M EEO Statement

The University of Michigan is an equal employment opportunity employer.