Postdoctoral Research Associate I

The McGhee Laboratory in the Department of Biomedical Engineering at the University of Arizona is seeking a Postdoctoral Research Associate to investigate how biochemical and mechanical features of the tumor microenvironment regulate cancer development, progression, and metastasis. The successful candidate will combine advanced cell and tissue culture methods with bioengineered model systems, quantitative microscopy, and molecular analysis. Our laboratory develops physiologically relevant in vitro platforms, including three-dimensional culture systems, tunable hydrogel matrices, microfluidic devices, organ-on-chip models, and bioprinted tissues. The postdoctoral researcher will have opportunities to lead interdisciplinary projects, collaborate with engineers and cancer biologists, mentor students, publish high-impact research, and contribute to grant development.

Visa sponsorship is not available for this position.

Outstanding U of A benefits include health, dental, vision, and life insurance; paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays; U of A/ASU/NAU tuition reduction for the employee and qualified family members; access to U of A recreation and cultural activities; and more!

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• Design and conduct studies examining cancer progression, metastasis, organ development, and tumor-microenvironment interactions.
• Establish and maintain 2D and 3D cultures, including multicellular co-cultures, organoids, and matrix-embedded cell models.
• Process human or mouse tissues and isolate, culture, and characterize primary cells.
• Develop bioengineered tissue models using hydrogels, microfluidics, organ-on-chip technologies, or related platforms.
• Investigate cellular mechanotransduction and responses to matrix stiffness, architecture, and applied forces.
• Perform quantitative microscopy and image analysis using confocal microscopy, live-cell imaging, and other advanced imaging methods.
• Conduct molecular and cellular assays to characterize cell phenotype, signaling, and gene expression.
• Analyze and interpret experimental data using appropriate statistical and computational methods.
• Prepare manuscripts, presentations, fellowship applications, and contributions to research proposals.
• Collaborate across engineering, cancer biology, and clinical research teams and mentor graduate and undergraduate researchers.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs):

• Strong written and oral communication skills and the ability to work effectively within an interdisciplinary team.
  
  

• Ph.D., M.D./Ph.D., or equivalent doctoral degree in biomedical engineering, cancer biology, cell biology, developmental biology, bioengineering, or a related field, conferred by the position start date.
• Demonstrated research experience in cancer biology, developmental biology, tissue engineering, mechanobiology, or a closely related area.
• Experience with mammalian cell culture, including 3D culture, co-culture, organoid culture, or matrix-embedded cell systems.
• Experience with fluorescence microscopy and quantitative image analysis.
• Proficiency in standard molecular or cellular biology techniques, such as qPCR, Western blotting, immunofluorescence, immunohistochemistry, flow cytometry, nucleic acid isolation, cloning, or viral transduction.
• Evidence of scientific productivity through peer-reviewed publications, conference presentations, or comparable research accomplishments.

• Mechanobiology, including traction-force microscopy, mechanotransduction, cellular mechanoresponse, or matrix-dependent signaling.
  
• Synthesis and characterization of natural or synthetic hydrogels with tunable composition, architecture, or stiffness.
  
• Microfluidics, organ-on-chip systems, bioprinting, or other bioengineered tissue-modeling technologies.
  
• Collection and processing of human or mouse tissues, primary-cell isolation, and establishment of patient- or animal-derived cultures.
  
• Histology, including tissue fixation, embedding, cryosectioning, paraffin sectioning, staining, and quantitative tissue analysis.
  
• Advanced microscopy, including confocal microscopy, super-resolution microscopy such as STORM, and longitudinal live-cell imaging.
  
• Transcriptomic analysis, including bulk RNA sequencing or single-cell RNA sequencing.
  
• Computational analysis in R or Python, particularly gene-regulatory network inference, pathway analysis, or inferred protein-activity analysis.
  
• ChIP-seq, viral vector methods, genome engineering, or related molecular approaches.
  Candidates are not expected to have prior experience with every method listed. Applicants with strong expertise in a complementary area and an interest in learning new experimental or computational techniques are encouraged to apply.