Postdoctoral Researcher

University of Florida • Gainesville, FL

16h

About The Position

The postdoctoral researcher will lead, and support projects focused on in-space biomanufacturing using human stem cell–derived tissues, with an emphasis on skeletal muscle, cardiac, and/or liver systems. Primary responsibilities include deriving, characterizing, and banking induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) generated from astronaut biospecimens and differentiating them into physiologically relevant tissue models. The candidate will design and execute experiments using tissue chips and microphysiological systems for ground-based and spaceflight studies, including payload preparation, validation, and post-flight analysis. Daily activities involve advanced cell culture, extracellular vesicle/exosome isolation and analysis, molecular and functional assays, and integration of omics datasets. The postdoc will collaborate with interdisciplinary teams, including engineers and spaceflight partners, to translate biological findings into robust space-ready platforms. Responsibilities also include data analysis, manuscript preparation, and contributing to grant proposals and mission reports.

Requirements

• PhD in Biomedical Engineering, Cell Biology, Stem Cell Biology, Physiology, Bioengineering, or a related discipline.
• Demonstrated expertise in human stem cell culture and differentiation (iPSC or primary cells).
• Hands-on experience with at least one relevant tissue system (skeletal muscle, cardiac, or liver).
• Strong background in molecular and cellular biology techniques (e.g., qPCR, immunostaining, Western blotting).
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with a record of peer-reviewed publications.

Nice To Haves

• Experience with extracellular vesicles/exosomes, including isolation, characterization, and functional analysis.
• Prior work with tissue chips, organ-on-chip, or microphysiological systems.
• Direct experience supporting spaceflight or parabolic flight payloads, including hardware integration or mission operations.
• Familiarity with astronaut biospecimens, biobanking, or human translational research.
• Experience with omics approaches (RNA-seq, proteomics, metabolomics) and associated bioinformatics.
• Ability to work in highly collaborative, multidisciplinary, and mission-driven research environments.

Responsibilities

• Deriving, characterizing, and banking induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) generated from astronaut biospecimens and differentiating them into physiologically relevant tissue models.
• Design and execute experiments using tissue chips and microphysiological systems for ground-based and spaceflight studies, including payload preparation, validation, and post-flight analysis.
• Advanced cell culture, extracellular vesicle/exosome isolation and analysis, molecular and functional assays, and integration of omics datasets.
• Collaborate with interdisciplinary teams, including engineers and spaceflight partners, to translate biological findings into robust space-ready platforms.
• Data analysis, manuscript preparation, and contributing to grant proposals and mission reports.

Benefits

• Health Insurance: UF participates in state- and university-sponsored benefits programs for individuals, families and domestic partners, and offers voluntary insurance that includes vision, dental, long-term disability and more.
• Retirement Options: You may be eligible to participate in the FICA Alternative Plan and other deferred retirement plans.
• Leave: Full-time post-doctoral associates earn paid leave bi-weekly.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree