Senior Research Scientist

University of Pittsburgh; Pittsburgh (Allegheny County); On-site; USD 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Pittsburgh seeks a Senior Research Scientist to advance the NAMs program using the LAMPS liver platform. The role focuses on MASLD-related studies, biomarker identification, and drug candidate testing in a translational setting.

Candidates should hold a PhD in toxicology, pharmacology, physiology, cell biology, or related fields, with strong cell-based research and imaging experience. On-campus work is required in Pittsburgh, PA.

Qualifications

• PhD in toxicology, pharmacology, physiology, cell biology, biophysics, biomedical engineering, or related field.
• Strong cell-based research experience, liver MPS model systems or co-culture experience valued.
• Experience with primary human cells and iPSCs is a plus.
• Experience with fluorescence imaging and quantification.

Responsibilities

• Perform studies to qualify the LAMPS platform as a DDT.
• Manage independent research projects from experimental design through analysis.
• Present results in seminars and publications.
• Draft manuscripts, proposals, and grant applications.
• Collaborate with the liver MPS team and Pitt clinicians.

Skills

Toxicology

Pharmacology

Cell biology

Imaging

Liver physiology

Experimentation

Education

PhD in toxicology

PhD in pharmacology

PhD in physiology

PhD in cell biology

PhD in biophysics

PhD in biomedical engineering

Professional Doctorate Degree

Tools

LAMPS platform

Job description

Job Description - Senior Research Scientist (26005629)

Senior Research Scientist

Med-Organ Pathobiology and Therapeutics Institute (OPTIn) - Pennsylvania-Pittsburgh - ( 26005629 )

The Organ Pathobiology and Therapeutics Institute (OPTIn) is searching for a Research Scientist to play a significant role in our New Approach Methodologies (NAMs) program utilizing our biomimetic human liver acinus microphysiological system (LAMPS) platform. We use both primary human cells and iPSC-derived cells for evaluating metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) progression, identifying disease-relevant biomarkers, and testing of candidates as well as a precision medicine platform for the development of patient digital twins and patient biomimetic twins. We are one of four Translational Centers for MPS (TraCe-MPS) established in collaboration with the National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences (NCATS) and the FDA, with the goal of qualifying our liver MPS platforms as drug development tools (DDTs) for various specific contexts of use. A key focus of the current position is the detection of low-level, subclinical effects in a human based system using real-time fixed endpoint, secretome-based, and image-based readouts to identify early activation of toxicity pathways. The incumbent will primarily participate within the TraCe-MPS group for the qualification of the LAMPS platform as a DDT with the FDA to aid in the determination of drug candidate dosing in patients with MASLD. Great talent in complex, multi-cell-based experimentation, knowledge of liver physiology, experience identifying toxicity signals via phenotype and molecular level assays and high content imaging experience is required. Toxicologists, pharmacologists or cell biologists and/or biomedical engineers with experience in the design and application of liver MPS systems are also strongly encouraged to apply.

PhD in toxicology, pharmacology, physiology, cell biology, biophysics, biomedical engineering, or related field required. Strong cell based research experience; previous experience with liver MPS model systems or co-culture systems is highly valued. Working knowledge of toxicology and pharmacology is greatly desired. Experience in liver cell and organ physiology, cell and molecular biology and fluorescence imaging and quantification is desire d. Experience with primary (patient isolated) human cells and iPSCs a plus.

Must Perform studies for the qualification of the LAMPS platform as a DDT, conduct and manage independent research projects from experimental design through implementation and analysis, present results in seminars and publications, prepare and draft various research documents including manuscripts, proposals, and grant applications, c ollaborate with the liver microphysiological systems team and clinician-scientists at Pitt.

Job Summary

Serves as subject matter expert and conducts independent scientific research projects from inception to presentation. Prepares and crafts various complex documentations of research results into manuscripts, proposals, grant applications, and presentations. Trains undergraduates, junior lab members, and research technicians. Manages laboratory policies and coordinates high-level work and project development in collaboration with other specialists.

Essential Functions

Computer work: walking from place to place; standing and sitting to perform essential tasks. Good manual dexterity.

Physical Effort

Lifting and stacking of boxes of supplies, standing for extended periods required to fulfill workload. Light - Maximum lifting of up to 20 lbs. With frequent lifting/carrying of up to 10 lbs. or a negligible amount; significant walking or standing may be required or may involve sitting with a degree of pushing and pulling.

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

Assignment Category Full-time regular

Job Classification Staff.Senior Research Scientist

Job Family Research

Job Sub-Family Research Science

Campus Pittsburgh

Minimum Education Level Required Professional Doctorate Degree

Minimum Years of Experience Required 7

Will this position accept substitution in lieu of education or experience? No

Work Schedule Monday - Friday, 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Work Arrangement On-Campus: Teams that work on campus, in an office, or in a lab.

Hiring Range TBD Based Upon Qualifications

Relocation Offered No

Visa Sponsorship Provided No

Background Check For position finalists, employment with the University will require successful completion of a background check

Child Protection Clearances Not Applicable

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