Post Doctoral Associate-Beheshti Lab

University of Pittsburgh; Pittsburgh (Allegheny County); On-site; USD 52,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Pittsburgh invites applications for a Postdoctoral Associate in the Beheshti Lab at the Center for Space Biomedicine, joining a dynamic team at the intersection of space biology and mitochondrial signaling.

The role blends computational and experimental work across multi-omics, ferroptosis and oxidative stress, with collaboration across NASA/NIH‑funded projects and opportunities to lead independent research and mentor trainees.

Qualifications

• Ph.D., M.D., or equivalent doctoral degree in molecular biology or related field.
• Experience in bioinformatics and multi-omics data integration.
• Wet lab proficiency with rodent CNS injury models and histology.

Responsibilities

• Lead independent research projects.
• Contribute to grant development and manuscript preparation.
• Mentor students and trainees.
• Collaborate across Pitt and external partners.

Skills

Space biology

Bioinformatics

Machine learning

Wet lab

Scientific writing

Education

Ph.D. or M.D.

Tools

R

Python

ImageJ

RNA-Seq analysis

Job description

Post Doctoral Associate – Beheshti Lab

Med-Surgery – Pennsylvania-Pittsburgh – (26005589)

The Department of Surgery, the McGowan Institute for Regenerative Medicine, and the Trivedi Institute for Space and Global Biomedicine at the University of Pittsburgh are seeking a highly motivated and talented Postdoctoral Associate to join the Center for Space Biomedicine. This is a full-time position at the exciting intersection of space biology and mitochondrial biology, ferroptosis and oxidative stress signaling, multi-omics, and translational human health research.

Qualifications

The successful candidate must hold a Ph.D., M.D., or equivalent doctoral degree in molecular biology, systems biology, bioinformatics, computational biology, biomedical sciences, space biology, or a related field.

We are particularly interested in individuals who bring a combination of computational and experimental strengths, including expertise in the following areas:

• Space biomedicine or space biology, including familiarity with the physiological and molecular challenges of spaceflight and extreme environments
• Bioinformatics and computational biology, including multi-omics data integration, RNA-seq analysis (including preranked and single-sample GSEA), systems biology, pathway analysis, and familiarity with platforms such as NASA GeneLab; strong programming skills in R and Python, along with image-based quantification (e.g., ImageJ), are highly desirable
• Experience or understanding with machine learning, artificial intelligence, network biology, or systems-level analyses is a strong advantage
• Wet lab proficiency, including hands‑on experience with rodent models of CNS injury (e.g., controlled cortical impact), astrocyte and neural stem cell culture, retro‑orbital and other in vivo delivery techniques, immunohistochemistry, western blotting, mitochondrial functional assays, and investigation of oxidative stress and neuroinflammatory signaling pathways
• Excellent scientific writing and communication skills, and a track record of first‑authored peer‑reviewed publications

The ideal candidate thrives at the interface of bench science and computational analysis, and is excited about applying these skills, including experience with traumatic brain injury models, astrocyte biology, and ferroptosis/oxidative stress mechanisms, to questions that span from low‑Earth orbit to human disease.

Job Summary

This postdoctoral position offers a rare opportunity to work at the frontier of space biomedicine and translational research within one of the most dynamic and internationally connected environments in the field. The successful candidate will join a lab with deep roots in NASA‑funded multi‑omics research, including leadership of the Space Omics and Medical Atlas (SOMA) and NIH funding in other fields.

The postdoc will contribute to a broad and exciting portfolio of federally funded and industry‑supported research programs, including:

• Space biomedicine projects spanning both ground‑based simulated spaceflight experiments (radiation exposure models, microgravity analog systems, advanced tissue and organoid platforms) and active collaborations to send experiments to space on commercial and governmental spaceflight missions
• Mitochondrial biology, astrocyte ferroptosis, and long COVID research, building on the lab's published and ongoing work characterizing spaceflight‑induced mitochondrial dysfunction, oxidative stress, and ferroptotic signaling in the brain and other tissues using integrative multi‑omic approaches , with the goal of identifying novel biomarkers and therapeutic targets for different mitochondrial diseases.
• Long COVID and post‑viral research, including participation in clinical translational studies and clinical trial activities examining mitochondrial dysfunction, immune dysregulation, and microRNA regulatory networks in post‑viral conditions
• Drug repurposing and AI‑driven discovery, with opportunities to contribute to work applying artificial intelligence to identify and validate therapeutic candidates across space‑relevant and human disease contexts

The postdoc will be embedded within the Trivedi Institute for Space and Global Biomedicine and McGowan Institute for Regenerative Medicine, a collaborative environment with strong ties to NASA, ESA, and global biomedical research networks. The candidate will be expected to lead independent research projects, contribute to grant development and manuscript preparation, mentor students and trainees, and collaborate across the University of Pittsburgh and external partner institutions.

The initial appointment is for one year, with the strong expectation of renewal for one to two additional years based on performance and funding availability.

Application Information

To be considered for this position, please submit a current curriculum vitae through the University of Pittsburgh Talent Center at join.pitt.edu and search for Requisition #:26005589

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

Assignment Details

Assignment Category Full-time regular

Campus Pittsburgh

Child Protection Clearances Not Applicable

Required Attachments Curriculum Vitae

PI286896851