Heart & Lung Transplant Research Scientist

The University of Iowa; Iowa City (IA); On-site; USD 51,000 - 62,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Iowa's Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery seeks an Assistant Research Scientist to lead independent research on tissue injury, repair, and transplantation mechanisms. The role spans two labs, focusing on airway and cardiovascular studies, with expertise in animal models, surgical procedures, histology, and molecular analyses.

The candidate will develop and execute experiments, manage complex animal studies, analyze data, train staff, and contribute to manuscripts and grant

Qualifications

• MD or PhD in medicine, physiology, cell or molecular biology, biomedical sciences, or a related scientific field.
• At least three years of postdoctoral research experience related to experimental cardiovascular or pulmonary physiology, cardiothoracic surgical research, or preclinical models of tissue injury and repair.
• Experience performing thoracic and/or cardiovascular surgical procedures in experimental animals.
• Experience with animal research procedures, physiological data collection, and postoperative monitoring and care.
• Experience with tissue histology, microscopy, image analysis, and molecular techniques involving the isolation and analysis of DNA, RNA, or proteins.
• Demonstrated ability to independently plan, execute, troubleshoot, and analyze research studies, with progressively responsible research experience and a strong record of peer-reviewed publications.
• Ability to collaborate effectively across laboratories and train research staff, students, and fellows.
• Excellent oral, written, and interpersonal communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Support studies comparing airway basal stem cells and gland cells for airway repair and injury recovery.
• Perform and optimize airway cell isolation, tracheal scaffold prep, recellularization, and ex vivo air-liquid interface culture.
• Use imaging and image analysis to measure epithelial coverage and cell differentiation.
• Develop reproducible injury methods and quantify epithelial recovery.
• Assist murine and ferret transplantation studies including surgical procedures and tissue procurement.
• Coordinate experimental schedules, maintain records, and develop reproducible protocols.
• Perform endothelial and smooth muscle cell isolation, expansion, and molecular assays.
• Support cross-lab coordination and data analysis for vascular allograft studies.
• Coordinate specimen collection and ensure study documentation across two labs.

Skills

Postdoctoral experience

Animal surgery experience

Histology and microscopy

Molecular biology techniques

Fluorescence imaging

Data analysis (qPCR, proteomics)

Independent project development

Training research personnel

Education

MD or PhD in medicine, physiology, cell or molecular biology, biomedical sciences, or related field

Tools

Immunofluorescence

qPCR

Tissue histology

Protein chemistry

Proteomics

Job description

The University of Iowa's Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery seeks an Assistant Research Scientist to lead independent research on tissue injury, repair, and transplantation mechanisms. The role spans two labs, focusing on airway and cardiovascular studies, with expertise in animal models, surgical procedures, histology, and molecular analyses.

The candidate will develop and execute experiments, manage complex animal studies, analyze data, train staff, and contribute to manuscripts and grant