Postdoctoral Research Associate - College of Engineering - Department of Mechanical Engineering

Carnegie Mellon University • Pittsburgh, PA

2d • Onsite

About The Position

Carnegie Mellon University's Department of Mechanical Engineering is seeking a Postdoctoral Research Associate to join their team. This role involves the characterization and device-relevant evaluation of engineered mammalian cells for therapeutic output and biomarker sensing in the context of osteoporosis. The position will focus on assessing and adapting engineered cells for use in implantable biointegrated device environments. The associate will design and execute studies on cell viability, growth, functionality, optical reporter performance, stimulation response, stability, and longevity under controlled in vitro and device-relevant conditions. This role requires close coordination with external collaborators and internal teams in devices, tissue engineering, optics, and systems integration. The ideal candidate is a highly capable experimentalist who can connect cell biology with quantitative engineering requirements, build rigorous test plans, troubleshoot complex assays, and generate milestone-ready datasets.

Requirements

• Ph.D. in Biology, Biomedical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Bioengineering, Cell Biology, Molecular Biology, Synthetic Biology, or a closely related field
• 3-5 years of experience
• Experience designing and executing quantitative cell-based experiments, including cell viability, proliferation, functional stability, reporter output, dose-response, and longitudinal performance studies.
• Familiarity with sterile technique, fluorescence imaging or plate-reader assays, molecular/cellular assay workflows, and statistical analysis is required.
• A combination of education and relevant experience from which comparable knowledge is demonstrated may be considered.

Nice To Haves

• Experience with synthetic biology, optogenetic or electrogenetic systems, hormone/peptide secretion assays, calcium signaling, or device-based cell culture is strongly preferred.
• Preferred training includes BSL-2 training, biosafety training, chemical hygiene training, human/animal-subjects compliance training if later required by assigned studies.

Responsibilities

• Lead experimental workstreams that address project milestones in a timely and rigorous manner.
• Design, execute, analyze, and document quantitative studies of engineered-cell performance.
• Coordinate with external collaborators to receive, culture, characterize, and test engineered cell lines.
• Work with device and systems teams to translate biological performance requirements into testable engineering specifications.
• Prepare SOPs, study plans, data-analysis pipelines, technical reports, presentations, and manuscript/proposal materials.
• Maintain high standards for data integrity, reproducibility, biosafety, and traceable documentation.
• Mentor graduate students, technicians, and other trainees as appropriate.
• Participate in regular internal and multi-institutional project meetings.
• Identify technical risks early and propose mitigation or contingency experiments.
• Characterize engineered cells under standard and device-relevant culture conditions.
• Evaluate cell viability, growth, morphology, function, reporter expression, and long-term stability in relevant in vitro environments.
• Assess cell performance in matrices, compartments, or culture configurations relevant to implantable systems.
• Develop assays to evaluate stimulation-response behavior, secreted therapeutic output, optical reporter performance, and biomarker-responsive readouts.
• Coordinate cell-line transfer, banking, quality-control documentation, and repeatability studies.
• Compare cell performance across culture formats, materials, oxygen/nutrient conditions, and longer-duration test periods.
• Support integration of engineered cells with optical, electronic, and tissue-engineered device subsystems.
• Generate milestone-ready datasets that inform cell-selection, device-integration, and functional-validation decisions.
• Perform other project-related duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Comprehensive medical, prescription, dental, and vision insurance
• Generous retirement savings program with employer contributions
• Tuition benefits
• Ample paid time off
• Observed holidays
• Life and accidental death and disability insurance
• Free Pittsburgh Regional Transit bus pass
• Access to Family Concierge Team
• Fitness center access

What This Job Offers

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