Research Scientist II

Georgia Tech prides itself on its technological resources, collaborations, high-quality student body, and its commitment to building an outstanding and diverse community of learning, discovery, and creation. We strongly encourage applicants whose values align with our institutional values, as outlined in our strategic plan. These values include academic excellence, diversity of thought and experience, inquiry and innovation, collaboration and community, and ethical behavior and stewardship. Georgia Tech has policies to promote a healthy work-life balance and is aware that attracting faculty may require meeting the needs of two careers.

About Georgia Tech

Georgia Tech is a top-ranked public research university situated in the heart of Atlanta, a diverse and vibrant city with numerous economic and cultural strengths. The Institute serves more than 45,000 students through top-ranked undergraduate, graduate, and executive programs in engineering, computing, science, business, design, and liberal arts. Georgia Tech's faculty attracted more than $1.4 billion in research awards this past year in fields ranging from biomedical technology to artificial intelligence, energy, sustainability, semiconductors, neuroscience, and national security. Georgia Tech ranks among the nation's top 20 universities for research and development spending and No. 1 among institutions without a medical school.

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Georgia Tech's mission is to develop leaders who advance technology and improve the human condition. The Institute has nine key values that are foundational to everything we do:

1. Students are our top priority.

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Over the next decade, Georgia Tech will become an example of inclusive innovation, a leading technological research university of unmatched scale, relentlessly committed to serving the public good; breaking new ground in addressing the biggest local, national, and global challenges and opportunities of our time; making technology broadly accessible; and developing exceptional, principled leaders from all backgrounds ready to produce novel ideas and create solutions with real human impact.

This position is located in Atlanta, Georgia

About the George W. Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering

The George W. Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering at Georgia Tech is one of the largest and most prestigious mechanical engineering programs in the nation. With over 1,200 undergraduates, 500 graduate students, and 70+ faculty members, the school is recognized for its research excellence, innovative curriculum, and commitment to preparing leaders in mechanical engineering. The school's research spans diverse areas including biomedical engineering, materials science, fluid mechanics, thermal systems, and advanced manufacturing. As a top-ranked program, we are committed to advancing technology and improving the human condition through engineering innovation and discovery.

The Laboratory of Lymphatic Biology and Bioengineering in the George W. Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering at the Georgia Institute of Technology invites applications for a non-tenure-track research faculty position.

The Laboratory of Lymphatic Biology and Bioengineering is an interdisciplinary research group directed by Dr. J. Brandon Dixon in the School of Mechanical Engineering at Georgia Tech. The laboratory is focused on advancing our understanding of lymphatic biology and developing innovative tissue engineering approaches to enhance lymphatic function and treat lymphatic disorders. Our research integrates cell and molecular biology, biomaterials science, and bioengineering to pioneer cutting-edge solutions for translational impact.

We are currently seeking an exceptional Research Scientist II to join our research group and provide scientific leadership in our in vitro and tissue engineering research capacities. The successful candidate will have significant oversight responsibilities for our ARPA-H funded research initiatives, including the GLIDE (Groundbreaking Lymphatic Interventions and Drug Exploration) program and the ARPA-H SBIR program in collaboration with LymphaTech.

The Research Scientist II will lead the execution and coordination of experiments across these funded projects, ensuring timely progress toward project milestones and deliverables while maintaining rigorous scientific standards and regulatory compliance. They will play a key role in experimental design, execution of advanced tissue engineering experiments, and mentoring of graduate and undergraduate students. Additionally, they will contribute to grant writing efforts and help advance the laboratory's external funding initiatives. The successful candidate will thrive on teamwork and collaboration, embrace a fast-paced research environment, and work closely with lab members, industry partners, and ARPA-H program managers to cultivate a positive and inclusive research community. This is a unique opportunity to join a well-funded research group with a track record of scientific innovation, impactful publications, successful technology translation, and significant federal and industry investment.

Research Scientist II

Oversee and direct the laboratory's in vitro and tissue engineering research capacities, including equipment maintenance, troubleshooting, protocol development, and optimization.

Lead oversight of ARPA-H funded research projects, including the GLIDE program and the ARPA-H SBIR program in collaboration with industry partners, ensuring project milestones and deliverables are achieved on schedule and within specifications.

Coordinate experimental execution across multiple funded projects, interfacing with ARPA-H program managers, industry partners at LymphaTech, and internal lab teams.

Lead experimental design and execution of tissue engineering studies, including cell culture, scaffold development, perfusion and flow-based experiments, and functional assessment.

Play a lead role in regular internal project meetings, data analysis, and scientific interpretation of experimental results.

Mentor and supervise graduate and undergraduate students, providing guidance on experimental design, technical skills, and professional development.

Develop and implement standard operating procedures (SOPs) to ensure consistency, reproducibility, and quality in all tissue engineering research activities.

Work with the lab director and university officials in grant administration, project budgets, scientific reporting, regulatory compliance, and ARPA-H reporting requirements.

Play a lead role in drafting manuscripts, grant applications, and external funding proposals to support ongoing and future research initiatives.

Collaborate with interdisciplinary research teams, ARPA-H program managers, and external partners including LymphaTech on translational research and clinical translation efforts.

A Masters degree in Engineering or related fields and three (3) years of relevant full-time experience after completion of that degree, or

A Masters degree in Engineering or related fields and five (5) years of relevant full-time experience after completion of Bachelors, or

A Doctoral degree

A PhD in Biomedical Engineering, Tissue Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related field

Ph.D. with research focus on tissue engineering, regenerative medicine, or biomaterials

A minimum of 2 years of postdoctoral research experience in tissue engineering, regenerative medicine, bioengineering, or related areas

CV/Resume

Cover letter

Extensive hands-on experience in in vitro cell culture, tissue engineering techniques, and advanced experimental methodologies

Demonstrated experience in obtaining external research funding or contributing substantively to funded research proposals (e.g., NIH, NSF, ARPA-H, or foundation grants)

Strong knowledge of cell biology, biomaterials, and tissue engineering principles relevant to lymphatic or vascular biology

Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to prepare manuscripts, presentations, and technical reports

Demonstrated ability to mentor and collaborate effectively with students, researchers, and external partners at all levels

Experience managing research projects with defined milestones, timelines, and deliverables

Expertise in lymphatic biology, vascular biology, or related vascular/lymphatic systems

Hands-on experience with bioreactor design, culture systems, or scaffold-based tissue engineering

Prior experience with ARPA-H or other federal agency funded research projects

Experience collaborating with industry partners or translating research to commercial applications

Proficiency in advanced cell and molecular biology techniques including sterile technique, primary cell isolation, chromatography, and flow cytometry

Experience with animal studies including live imaging, animal handling, surgical procedures, and tissue isolation

Experience with advanced imaging techniques including multiphoton microscopy, confocal imaging, or 3D imaging of tissue constructs

Track record of peer-reviewed publications and presentations at scientific conferences

Experience managing laboratory equipment and core facilities

Knowledge of regulatory requirements for tissue-engineered medical products and Good Laboratory Practice (GLP) principles

Proficiency with statistical software such as SPSS, GraphPad Prism, or R

Leadership experience in research project management and laboratory administration

Excellent organizational, time-management, and interpersonal skills

Dr. J. Brandon Dixon, Woodruff Professor, Laboratory of Lymphatic Biology and Bioengineering, George W. Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering. For inquiries, please contact dixon@gatech.edu

The University System of Georgia is comprised of our 25 institutions of higher education and learning as well as the System Office. Our USG Statement of Core Values are Integrity, Excellence, Accountability, and Respect. These values serve as the foundation for all that we do as an organization, and each USG community member is responsible for demonstrating and upholding these standards. More details on the USG Statement of Core Values and Code of Conduct are available in USG Board Policy 8.2.18.1.2 and can be found on-line at https://www.usg.edu/policymanual/section8/C224/#p8.2.18_personnel_conduct.

Additionally, USG supports Freedom of Expression as stated in Board Policy 6.5 Freedom of Expression and Academic Freedom found on-line at https://www.usg.edu/policymanual/section6/C2653.

The Georgia Institute of Technology (Georgia Tech) is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. The Institute is committed to maintaining a fair and respectful environment for all. To that end, and in accordance with federal and state law, Board of Regents policy, and Institute policy, Georgia Tech provides equal opportunity to all faculty, staff, students, and all other members of the Georgia Tech community, including applicants for admission and/or employment, contractors, volunteers, and participants in institutional programs, activities, or services. Georgia Tech complies with all applicable laws and regulations governing equal opportunity in the workplace and in educational activities.

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A successful candidate must be able to pass a background check. Please visit: https://usg.policystat.com/policy/19298143/latest