Faculty Professor Research Assistant - Full-Time

University of Pittsburgh • Pittsburgh, PA

3d • Onsite

About The Position

The University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Department of Surgery, Division of Pediatric Surgery is seeking a full-time Research Assistant Professor to contribute to data-driven basic and translational research focused on gastrointestinal mucosal biology and inflammatory bowel disease. This non-tenure-track position is designed for investigators with expertise in intestinal stem cell biology, epithelial regeneration, and developmental or disease modeling, with an emphasis on mechanisms underlying IBD pathogenesis and tissue repair. The successful candidate will contribute to advancing mechanistic understanding of gastrointestinal development, injury, and repair to study how stem cell dynamics are altered in inflammatory states.

Requirements

• Ph.D. (or equivalent) in cell biology, immunology, gastrointestinal biology, or a related field
• Demonstrated expertise in stem cell biology and/or intestinal mucosal biology
• Experience with IBD-related research or inflammatory disease models
• Track record of peer-reviewed publications
• Experience with organoid systems and/or animal models

Nice To Haves

• Expertise in host–microbiome interactions or immune–epithelial crosstalk
• Experience with human tissue samples or translational IBD research
• Prior participation in multidisciplinary and collaborative research teams
• Evidence of grant writing or funded research involvement

Responsibilities

• Lead and contribute to basic and translational research programs focused on IBD pathogenesis, epithelial injury, and regeneration
• Investigate intestinal stem cell dynamics in the context of chronic inflammation including barrier dysfunction and mucosal healing
• Design and execute experiments using organoid systems, stem cell cultures, and in vivo models of intestinal inflammation
• Apply data-driven and omics-based approaches including single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq), spatial transcriptomics, and stem cell lineage tracing
• Perform and oversee bioinformatic and statistical analyses of high-dimensional datasets
• Collaborate with clinicians and researchers across the UPMC, including gastroenterology and immunology groups
• Contribute to manuscript preparation and dissemination of findings in high-impact journals
• Contribute to grant development
• Mentor trainees in stem cell biology, experimental design, and quantitative analysis

What This Job Offers

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