Postdoctoral Research Associate

Texas A&M • Houston, TX

4d • Onsite

About The Position

The Postdoctoral Research Associate conducts independent and collaborative research under general supervision in stem cell biology, lung developmental biology, epithelial cell fate specification, and human disease modeling. The research focuses on human pluripotent stem cell-derived airway and lung epithelial models, including region-specific airway basal stem cells, hillock-like airway epithelial cells, distal airway and alveolar differentiation, epithelial maturation, disease modeling, and lung epithelial injury and regeneration.

The role also supports mentoring and training laboratory personnel, presenting research findings, preparing scientific and sponsor-facing materials, and maintaining laboratory operations, research documentation, and compliance with institutional policies and approved protocols. Occasional work on weekends or after normal business hours may be required for cell culture maintenance, time-sensitive experiments, animal monitoring, or sample processing.

Requirements

• PhD, MD, or equivalent doctoral degree in biology, biomedical sciences, stem cell biology, developmental biology, molecular biology, cell biology, genetics, cancer biology, physiology, or a related field.
• Ability to design, execute, troubleshoot, analyze, and interpret experiments independently and collaboratively.
• Excellent sterile technique and knowledge of biosafety practices, with ability to learn technically demanding hPSC maintenance and directed lung differentiation protocols.
• Strong attention to detail and ability to maintain accurate and timely research records.
• Ability to analyze, summarize, and communicate research results clearly.
• Ability to prepare figures, manuscripts, abstracts, presentations, and progress-report materials.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a collaborative research team.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Strong analytical, organizational, and presentation skills.
• Ability to mentor and support students, research assistants, and other laboratory personnel.
• Familiarity with data organization, laboratory inventory management, and animal research compliance requirements.
• Ability to assist with animal model-related experimental preparation, monitoring, tissue and sample collection, and downstream analysis under approved protocols.

Nice To Haves

• Experience in stem cell biology, developmental biology, epithelial biology, lung biology, disease modeling, cancer biology, fibrosis biology, regenerative biology, organoid models, molecular biology, or animal model research.
• Experience with mammalian cell culture, hPSC culture or differentiation, organoid culture, ALI culture, flow cytometry, immunofluorescence staining, microscopy, qPCR, RNA-seq or single-cell sequencing sample preparation, bioinformatics or data analysis, histology or sample processing, and/or animal model support.
• Prior experience with manuscript preparation, figure generation, scientific presentations, experimental design, and hypothesis-driven research.

Responsibilities

• Conduct independent and collaborative research on human pluripotent stem cell-derived airway and alveolar epithelial differentiation, regional lung epithelial identity, and lung disease modeling.
• Develop, optimize, and perform hPSC maintenance, directed lung differentiation, airway basal cell differentiation, ALI culture, distal airway and alveolar differentiation, and related in vitro disease-modeling experiments.
• Design and execute hypothesis-driven studies on epithelial cell fate specification, airway and lung epithelial maturation, hillock-like epithelial cell development, basal cell regional identity, and fibrosis- or disease-associated epithelial remodeling.
• Perform and analyze molecular, cellular, imaging, and functional assays, including flow cytometry, immunostaining, microscopy, qPCR, and sequencing sample preparation.
• Assist with animal xenograft model experiments, tissue and sample collection, and downstream analysis under approved institutional protocols, as needed.
• Analyze, interpret, and summarize experimental data; maintain accurate and timely research records; troubleshoot protocols; and contribute to standard operating procedures and quality-control practices.
• Prepare figures, written summaries, manuscripts, abstracts, and progress reports; contribute to research papers, publications, and grant-related materials.
• Assist with mentoring and training students, research assistants, and other laboratory personnel in laboratory techniques, experimental design, data organization, safety, and responsible research practices.
• Present research findings in laboratory meetings, institutional seminars, scientific conferences, and other settings.
• Contribute to technical progress reports, sponsor updates, and research presentations for funded projects.
• Support laboratory organization, reagent preparation, inventory management, protocol documentation, equipment maintenance, sample tracking, data management, and coordination with core facilities.
• Assist with biosafety, stem cell, and animal research documentation and help maintain compliance with institutional policies, approved protocols, and laboratory safety requirements.
• Perform other research-related duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Medical, prescription drug, dental, vision, life and AD&D, flexible spending accounts, and long-term disability insurance; Texas A&M contributes to employee health and basic life premiums.
• 12–15 days of annual paid holidays.
• Up to eight hours of paid sick leave and at least eight hours of paid vacation each month.
• Automatic enrollment in the Teacher Retirement System of Texas.
• Free exercise programs and release time.
• Free LinkedIn Learning training, webinars, and limited financial support to attend conferences, workshops, and more.
• Educational release time and tuition assistance for completing a degree while a Texas A&M employee.
• Living Well employee wellness program.

What This Job Offers

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