Director, Cell Culture and Organoids

Rocket Companies•Detroit, MI

2d•Onsite

About The Position

The Director, Cell Culture and Organoids will lead the development of NGNRI’s advanced in vitro model systems, including organoids, assembloids, and other human-relevant platforms, to support discovery, screening, and translational research. This role will establish and scale robust, reproducible cell culture and organoid capabilities for NF1 and related neurological disorders, enabling both mechanistic studies and drug discovery. The successful candidate will also drive the integration of patient-derived models to support precision medicine approaches. As a scientific and operational leader, they will build and manage a high-performing team, implement standardized workflows, and ensure the quality and scalability of NGNRI’s biological platforms. This role carries a clear mandate: to deliver cutting-edge cell culture and organoid systems that power transformative discoveries and therapeutic innovation.

Requirements

High integrity and commitment to rigorous scientific standards
Innovative, curious, and solutions-oriented
Strong leadership and mentoring capabilities
Collaborative mindset with ability to work across diverse teams
Highly organized and detail-oriented
Resilient and adaptable in a fast-paced research environment
PhD in stem cell biology, developmental biology, neuroscience, or related discipline

Nice To Haves

Significant experience in stem cell biology, organoids, assembloids, or related model systems
Proven track record of developing and implementing complex in vitro models
Experience leading or mentoring research teams in academic or industry settings
Demonstrated ability to optimize and scale biological systems for reproducibility and throughput
Experience supporting drug discovery or screening efforts using advanced cell models is highly desirable
Strong problem-solving skills and ability to troubleshoot complex biological systems
Meticulous attention to detail and commitment to data quality and reproducibility
Excellent interpersonal, communication, and team-building skills
Ability to collaborate across multidisciplinary teams
Experience with regulatory and compliance considerations is a plus

Responsibilities

Establish and lead NGNRI’s cell culture and organoid platform, including stem cell derived systems (e.g., cerebroids, assembloids)
Develop, optimize, and standardize protocols for differentiation, maturation, and maintenance of organoid models
Ensure reproducibility, scalability, and robustness of model systems for downstream applications including screening and mechanistic studies
Design and implement quality control frameworks for cell lines, differentiation processes, and organoid characterization
Recruit, train, and manage a high-performing team of scientists and technical staff
Work closely with the Head of High Content Analysis, Head of FACS and Head of Genome Engineering and other platform leads to ensure seamless integration of organoid systems into screening workflows
Collaborate with internal research teams and external guest scientists to adapt models for specific scientific questions and translational goals
Continuously evaluate and incorporate emerging technologies and methodologies in stem cell biology and organoid systems
Contribute to experimental design, data interpretation, and troubleshooting across programs
Maintain meticulous records and ensure best practices in data integrity and reproducibility
Ensure compliance with all relevant biosafety, regulatory, and ethical guidelines