Post Doctoral Associate-Wagner Lab

Role details

Post Doctoral Associate-Wagner Lab

Bioengineering - Pennsylvania-Pittsburgh - (26005242)

The Department of Bioengineering is seeking a Postdoctoral Associate in the Wagner Laboratory to conduct research focused on the development and characterization of advanced polymeric biomaterials and medical devices for cardiovascular and tissue engineering applications. The position will have a primary emphasis on the development of next-generation polymeric heart valve technologies, while providing opportunities to investigate polyurethane-based biomaterials and related platforms for broader regenerative medicine and tissue repair applications.

A major component of the position will involve in vitro characterization of polymeric heart valve devices, including evaluation of valve processing conditions, mechanical properties, degradation behavior, blood compatibility, and valve kinematics under pulsatile loads. The candidate will develop experimental protocols to generate quantitative data on heart valve performance in a pulse duplicator system under physiologically relevant conditions. The position may also require the candidate to lead coordination and collaboration with a clinical team for small or large animal in vivo studies of polymer heart valve implantation.

In addition to polymeric valve devices, the postdoctoral associate will have opportunities to investigate polyurethane-based biomaterials for broader tissue engineering applications. Potential research areas include application of injectable polyurethane hydrogels for myocardial healing, methods for controlling deposition and architecture of electrospun polyurethane scaffolds, and development of novel polyurethane chemistries for wound healing applications. These projects will investigate the relationships between polymer chemistry, processing, microstructure, mechanics, degradation, and tissue interactions.

The candidate is expected to have extensive experience in material and analytical polymer characterization techniques, processing techniques such as electrospinning, established cardiovascular-specific testing methodologies and equipment, and the ability to develop custom test fixtures to support data collection and to troubleshoot test methodologies and data analysis.

The candidate will work closely with engineers, scientists, clinicians, and other interdisciplinary researchers to translate clinical needs into engineering solutions and advance polymer-based technologies toward clinical translation. The postdoctoral associate will contribute to the preparation of research proposals, manuscripts, technical reports, conference presentations, and other research dissemination activities

Job Requirements

• Ph.D. in Bioengineering, Chemical Engineering, Materials Science, Mechanical Engineering, or a closely related field
• Documented experience with polymeric biomaterial synthesis, processing techniques, and material and mechanical property characterization, particularly with polyurethanes
• Documented experience with polymeric heart valve design, fabrication, characterization, and testing
• Strong experience with electrospinning, polymer casting, additive manufacturing, or other polymer processing techniques is preferred
• Experience designing and executing independent experimental studies and familiarity with standard or state-of-the-art testing of biomaterials and/or cardiovascular devices is preferred
• Experience with in vivo evaluation of cardiovascular biomaterials and devices is preferred
• Experience with implantable medical devices and tissue engineering scaffolds is desirable
• Strong quantitative and analytical skills, with the ability to independently analyze and interpret experimental data
• Strong scientific writing skills, including preparation of manuscripts, technical reports, and research proposals
• Ability to independently plan and execute research while effectively communicating with an interdisciplinary team
• Ability to mentor graduate and undergraduate researchers is desirable

*The University of Pittsburgh is an equal opportunity employer / disability / veteran.*

Assignment Category: Full-time regular

Campus: Pittsburgh

Child Protection Clearances: Not Applicable

Required Attachments: Curriculum Vitae