Job Description
Location : Coral Gables, FL
Time Type : Full time
- Job requisition id :R100088559
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Current Employees:
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The Post Doctoral Associate performs scientific research and studies under the supervision of managing staff. Moreover, the Post Doctoral Associate promotes institutional recognition through literal contributions to the scientific community.
The successful candidate will participate in interdisciplinary research on human stem cell manufacturing, polymer-based biomaterials, and drug delivery. The projects will involve the fabrication of polymeric biomaterials in diverse presentations such as nanofibers, hydrogels, coatings, and microneedles. Multiple physical, chemical, and mechanical characterization techniques such as SEM, FTIR, NMR, rheology, and nanoindentation will be used to evaluate the properties of our designed biomaterials. In vitro studies will be performed to study viability, morphology, cell proliferation, cytokine secretion, immunostaining, and drug release. In vivo studies will involve the dissolution capability of microneedle patches and transdermal drug release by plasma sample analysis focused on animal models. Finally, the research plan will include a component of simulation to describe the transdermal drug release from the microneedle patches by COMSOL Multiphysics 5.4 software.
JOB FUNCTIONSÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â
- Conducts research on specific areas of study as assigned.
- Prepares research reports and technical papers for publishing.
- Investigates the feasibility of applying a wide variety of scientific principles and theories.
- Maintains substantial knowledge of state-of-the-art principles and theories.
- Develops advanced analytical models and systems and provides solutions and analyses to support strategic and tactical decisions.
- Adheres to University and unit-level policies and procedures and safeguards University assets.
- Lead synthesis of chemical reactions and design of biomaterials including hydrogels, nanofibers, and microneedles.
- Design, fabricate, and optimize biodegradable microneedle patches for transdermal drug delivery applications, with a focus on veterinary and regenerative medicine.
- Support the execution of different characterization techniques (physical, chemical, mechanical) for polymeric microneedle patches and hydrogels.
- Conduct in-vitro and in-vivo experiments to evaluate drug release profiles, systemic absorption, and microneedle dissolution efficiency.
- Conduct in-vitro and in-vivo experiments to evaluate the impact of dynamic nanofibrous hydrogels on stem cell manufacturing and tissue regeneration.
- Support on writing internal and external proposals.
- Collaborate in coordinating lab activities, meetings, and share responsibilities to promote an efficient and inclusive research environment.
- Maintain laboratory safety protocols, including chemical handling, waste disposal, and proper use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).
- Oversee lab organization by maintaining inventory, ordering supplies, and ensuring proper documentation of experimental procedures.
This list of duties and responsibilities is not intended to be all-inclusive and may be expanded to include other duties or responsibilities as necessary.
QUALIFICATIONSÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â
Education:
Ph.D. in Biomedical Engineering or closely related areas
Experience:
- Strong scientific record with at least one first author paper published or accepted in a top-tier journal.
- Good collaboration spirit.
- Experience in multiple techniques: Microneedle fabrication, electrospinning, layer-by-layer assembly, molding, freeze-drying, polymer synthesis, and hydrogel preparation.
- Experience in multiple characterization techniques: Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), cytokine secretion by magnetic Luminex assay, immunofluorescence staining by confocal microscopy, Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR), rheology, nanoindentation, compression and tensile testing.
- Experience in writing competitive proposals.
- Cell Culture: Human Mesenchymal Stem Cells.
- Programming skills (e.g., COMSOL, MATLAB, AutoCAD, etc.).
Knowledge, Skills and Attitudes:
- Excellent interpersonal relationships, leadership, and teamwork skills.
- Self-motivated.
- Interest in working with other graduate students and mentoring undergraduate students.
- Skill in collecting, organizing, and analyzing data.
- Ability to recognize, analyze, and solve a variety of problems.
- Ability to exercise sound judgment in making critical decisions.
The University of Miami is an Equal Opportunity Employer – Females/Minorities/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities are encouraged to apply. Applicants and employees are protected from discrimination based on certain categories protected by Federal law. Click here for additional information.
Job Status:Full time
Employee Type:Staff
Pay Grade:A9
