Postdoctoral Researcher for Cornea Chip

Utah; Salt Lake City (UT); On-site; USD 65,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

The Kim Laboratory at the University of Utah (Department of Mechanical Engineering and John A. Moran Eye Center) seeks a highly motivated Postdoctoral Research Fellow to lead the biological arm of an NIH-funded corneal mechanotransduction project.

You will generate CRISPR/Cas9 knockout corneal stromal cell lines and investigate curvature- and load-driven cell responses in hydraulic organ-chip systems. Ideal candidates hold a Ph.D.

Qualifications

• PhD in Cell Biology, Molecular Biology, Vision Science, Biomedical Engineering or related field.
• First-author publications preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead the biological arm of an NIH-funded corneal mechanotransduction project.
• Generate and validate CRISPR/Cas9 knockout corneal stromal cell lines.
• Study curvature and mechanical load effects in organ-chip platforms.
• Identify mechanotransduction pathways in keratoconus progression.

Skills

Cell culture

CRISPR editing

Molecular biology

Mechanotransduction

Education

PhD in Cell Biology, Molecular Biology, Vision Science, Biomedical Engineering

Tools

CRISPR/Cas9

qPCR

Western blot

Immunocytochemistry

Confocal microscopy

Job description

Details

Open Date 10/29/2026

Requisition Number PRN46629B

Job Title Post Doc Res Assoc

Working Title Postdoctoral Researcher for Cornea Chip

Career Progression Track A00

FLSA Code Administrative

Patient Sensitive Job Code? No

Standard Hours per Week 40

Full Time or Part Time? Full Time

Shift Day

Work Schedule Summary

Monday – Friday 9am – 5pm

VP Area Academic Affairs

Department 00068 - Mechanical Engineering

Location Campus

City Salt Lake City, UT

Type of Recruitment External Posting

Pay Rate Range 65,000-70,000

Close Date 12/31/2026

Job Summary

The Kim Laboratory at the University of Utah (Department of Mechanical Engineering and John A. Moran Eye Center) is seeking a highly motivated, creative, and collaborative Postdoctoral Research Fellow. The fellow will lead the biological arm of an NIH -funded project on corneal mechanotransduction in keratoconus. This project sits at the intersection of corneal biology, mechanobiology, and organ-on-chip engineering, and builds on the laboratory’s recent work on curvature-dependent regulation of corneal stromal cells (Nature Communications, 2025).

The successful candidate will generate and validate CRISPR /Cas9 knockout corneal stromal cell lines. They will also study how curvature and mechanical load regulate corneal cell behavior in hydraulically controlled organ-chip platforms, and identify the mechanotransduction pathways underlying keratoconus progression. Candidates should hold a Ph.D. in Cell Biology, Molecular Biology, Vision Science, Biomedical Engineering, or a related field, with a strong track record of first-author publications.

This role requires hands‑on expertise in mammalian cell culture, CRISPR /Cas9 genome editing, and core molecular and imaging techniques such as qPCR, Western blotting, immunocytochemistry, and confocal microscopy. A solid understanding of mechanotransduction signaling, including YAP / TAZ , cytoskeletal remodeling, and ECM regulation, is essential. The preferred candidate will also bring experience with corneal or ocular cell culture, 3D or microfluidic culture systems, and RNA -seq or quantitative image analysis.

Type Benefited Staff

Additional Information

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