The research laboratory of Prof. Rebecca Taylor at Carnegie Mellon University is seeking to recruit and support a postdoctoral research fellow!
Overview: The Microsystems and Mechanobiology research laboratory is a highly collaborative and enthusiastic group, dedicated to the development of micro and nanoscale mechanical systems. This innovative research laboratory is developing DNA nanotechnologies for applications in cellular communications, mechanosensing, nanorobotics and targeted delivery. We are specifically looking for a postdoc who can design and synthesize DNA origami nanostructures for targeted gene delivery applications.
Candidates with experience in cellular bioengineering and/or DNA nanotechnology will be considered. This is a multidisciplinary field so candidates could come from a wide variety of fields in science and engineering. For example, our team consists of scientists and engineers from across multiple fields, including physics, chemistry, chemical engineering, biomedical and mechanical engineering.
What we're looking for:
- Enthusiastic and motivated candidates with a passion for research
- Performs well in a collaborative environment, with strong verbal and written communication skills
- Eagerness to learn new techniques and lead projects independently
- Experience in DNA Nanotechnology (expertise in DNA Origami Architectures a plus)
- Motivation to mentor junior lab members and undergraduate researchers
- Candidates who embrace and reflect diversity, equity, and inclusion
What we offer:
- A healthy and collaborative laboratory culture that encourages creativity
- Individual mentoring to enhance career development and tailored opportunities to support specific
professional goals
- Interdisciplinary research opportunities at the intersection of nanotechnology, cellular bioengineering,
and automated production of materials for biomedical research
- Access to the CMU Cloud Lab, the world’s first academic cloud lab
- A vibrant research community in Pittsburgh both at CMU and with collaborators at the University of
Pittsburgh
Core responsibilities include:
- Design, synthesize and characterize a variety of nanostructures or use in studies of cellular uptake and gene expression.
- Perform initial cell culture studies to screen designs for effective delivery.
- Collaborate effectively to provide nanostructures to team who will perform in vitro characterization using primary cells.
- Coordinate activities of graduate student team and collaborators in order to meet regular goals for deliverables.
- Communicate findings in weekly meetings, at conferences, and in journal publications.
- Oversee cell culture space to ensure that supplies are on hand and equipment service is up to date.
- As needed, train junior lab members in essential research skills such as the design, synthesis and analytical techniques used for DNA origami as well as cell culture.
- Mentor junior lab members in effective research practices.
- Prepare regular grant update reports.
- Assist with grant proposal preparation.
- Other duties as assigned
Qualifications:
- Doctorate degree required. Ph.D. in any relevant STEM field such as Bioengineering, Chemistry, Mechanical Engineering, or Physics is preferred.
- Experience with cellular bioengineering and/or DNA nanotechnology is required.
- Strong verbal and written communication skills and a passion for research are required.
- Postdoc must possess an eagerness to learn new techniques and lead projects independently.
Are you interested in this opportunity? Please apply!
