Postdoctoral Research Associate - Engineering

Position Summary
A one-year postdoctoral position with possible extension up to five years is open in the Cellular Mechanobiology Lab of Dr. Amit Pathak at WashU in St. Louis. The NIH-funded research project aims to understand how biomechanical cues present in the extracellular matrix regulate the responses of grouped epithelial cells and tissues, in particular collective cell migration, wound healing, and nuclear mechanosensing.
The successful candidate will have established experience in the following areas: (a) imaging techniques such as fluorescence, confocal, and multi-photon microscopy, (b) biomaterials, soft lithography, and hydrogel synthesis, and (c) cell culture and molecular cell biology assays. The successful candidate is expected to publish papers in prestigious peer-reviewed journals and present results at conferences/workshops.

Job Description

Primary Duties & Responsibilities:

Information on being a postdoc at WashU in St. Louis can be found at https://postdoc.wustl.edu/prospective-postdocs-2/ .

NIH-funded research project: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/11014858#description

Trains under the supervision of a faculty mentor including (but not limited to):

• Carry out independent experiments and publish papers, under the supervision of the PI on a project in the broad area of epithelial cell mechanobiology.
• Mentor PhD students, assist in lab organization, and perform lab duties as assigned.

Working Conditions:

Job Location / Working Conditions

• Wet lab (biohazard level 2+), office.
• Core facilities (imaging, fabrication, etc.) at various locations on campus.

Physical Effort

• Lab work, standing, walking.
• Working on a computer.
• Ability to move to on and off-campus locations.

Equipment

• Lab and office equipment.

Salary Range:

Base pay is commensurate with experience.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by people assigned to this classification. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all job duties performed by the personnel so classified. Management reserves the right to revise or amend duties at any time.

Required Qualifications

Education:

Ph.D., M.D. Or Equivalent Terminal Or Doctoral Degree.

Certifications:

No specific certification is required for this position.

Work Experience:

No specific work experience is required for this position.

Skills:

Data Presentations, Professional Presentation, Scientific Reports, Working Independently

Driver's License:

A driver's license is not required for this position.

More About This Job

Required Qualifications:

• A recent Ph.D. (within past 2 years) in bioengineering, cell biology, other engineering, or a related field.
• Course work in biology/physiology, biomaterials.  
• Experience with soft gel synthesis (collagen, polyacrylamide), cell culture, microscopy and image analysis (Excel, MATLAB, ImageJ).

Preferred Qualifications:

• Doctoral research in any area of mechanobiology (in particular cell migration, nuclear mechanosensing).

Preferred Qualifications

Education:

No additional education beyond what is stated in the Required Qualifications section.

Certifications:

No additional certification beyond what is stated in the Required Qualifications section.

Work Experience:

No additional work experience beyond what is stated in the Required Qualifications section.

Skills:

Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM), Ex Vivo, Image Analysis, In Vivo Experiment, Mouse Handling, Nuclear Testing, Primary Cells, Zebrafish Models

Questions

For frequently asked questions about the application process, please refer to our External Applicant FAQ .

Accommodation

If you are unable to use our online application system and would like an accommodation, please email CandidateQuestions@wustl.edu  or call the dedicated accommodation inquiry number at 314-935-1149 and leave a voicemail with the nature of your request.

All qualified individuals must be able to perform the essential functions of the position satisfactorily and, if requested, reasonable accommodations will be made to enable employees with disabilities to perform the essential functions of their job, absent undue hardship.

Pre-Employment Screening
All external candidates receiving an offer for employment will be required to submit to pre-employment screening for this position. The screenings will include criminal background check and, as applicable for the position, other background checks, drug screen, an employment and education or licensure/certification verification, physical examination, certain vaccinations and/or governmental registry checks. All offers are contingent upon successful completion of required screening.

Benefits Statement
Washington University in St. Louis is committed to providing a comprehensive and competitive benefits package to our employees. Benefits eligibility is subject to employment status, full-time equivalent (FTE) workload, and weekly standard hours. Please visit our website at https://hr.wustl.edu/benefits/ to view a summary of benefits.

EEO Statement
Washington University in St. Louis is committed to the principles and practices of equal employment opportunity and especially encourages applications by those from underrepresented groups. It is the University’s policy to provide equal opportunity and access to persons in all job titles without regard to race, ethnicity, color, national origin, age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, protected veteran status, or genetic information.

Washington University is dedicated to building a community of individuals who are committed to contributing to an inclusive environment – fostering respect for all and welcoming individuals from diverse backgrounds, experiences and perspectives. Individuals with a commitment to these values are encouraged to apply.