Senior Research Scientist

Actox; Pittsburgh, Northern (Allegheny County, KY); Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

Med-Organ Pathobiology and Therapeutics Institute (OPTIn) in Pittsburgh is seeking a Senior Research Scientist to lead NAMs projects using the LAMPS platform, employing primary human cells and iPSC-derived cells to study MASLD, biomarkers, and drug candidate testing.

The role requires a PhD in a related field and strong experience in liver physiology, toxicity signaling, and high-content imaging; collaboration with Pitt clinicians and an emphasis on independent project management.

Qualifications

• PhD in toxicology, pharmacology, physiology, cell biology, biophysics, biomedical engineering, or related field.
• Strong cell-based research experience; liver MPS or co-culture systems valued.
• Experience with liver cell/organ physiology, fluorescence imaging and quantification preferred.

Responsibilities

• Perform studies for qualification of the LAMPS platform as a DDT, from experimental design through analysis.
• Conduct and manage independent research projects and present results in seminars and publications.
• Prepare and draft manuscripts, proposals, and grant applications.
• Collaborate with the liver microphysiological systems team and Pitt clinician-scientists.

Skills

Liver MPS

Toxicology

High-content imaging

Independent research

Education

PhD in toxicology, pharmacology, physiology, cell biology, biophysics, biomedical engineering, or related field

Job description

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 desired. 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, collaborate 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.

Assignment Category: Full-time regularJob Classification: Staff.Senior Research ScientistJob Family: ResearchJob Sub Family: Research ScienceCampus: PittsburghMinimum Education Level Required: Professional Doctorate DegreeMinimum Years of Experience Required: 7Will this position accept substitution in lieu of education or experience: NoWork 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 QualificationsRelocation_Offered: NoVisa Sponsorship Provided: NoBackground Check: For position finalists, employment with the University will require successful completion of a background checkChild Protection Clearances: Not ApplicableRequired Documents: ResumeOptional Documents: Cover Letter