Assistant Professor - Non-Virally Engineered Immune Cell Therapies - R160047, Biomedical Engineering

Role details

Assistant Professor Position - Non-virally engineered immune cell therapies Department of Biomedical Engineering College of Engineering The Department of Biomedical Engineering ( https://bme.osu.edu ) at The Ohio State University invites applications for a tenure-track faculty position at the Assistant Professor level in the area of non-virally engineered immune cell therapies for regenerative medicine and tissue restoration . The research area must complement the current research portfolio . This position will start as early as Fall 2027. Position Overview We invite applications for a tenure-track faculty position at the Assistant Professor level.

The successful candidate will be expected to establish and maintain an externally funded research program, mentor trainees at all levels, and contribute to the teaching mission of the department and its educational programs. We seek candidates developing immune cell therapies enabled by non-viral cell engineering to advance regenerative medicine, tissue repair, and restoration of organ function. The successful candidate's research program should center on the non-viral engineering of immune cells and their application as therapeutic agents.

Areas of particular interest include new cell-based therapeutic paradigms for organ and tissue dysfunction, particularly in settings where current standards of care rely on organ transplantation, tissue or organ replacement, or intensive and chronic therapeutic interventions. Candidates exploring how engineered immune cells can reshape tissue microenvironments, restore tissue homeostasis, activate endogenous repair, or otherwise promote regenerative responses that address unmet therapeutic needs are especially encouraged to apply.

Within this focus on non-virally engineered immune cell therapies, particular interest will be given to candidates who develop or apply advanced human-relevant ex vivo platforms, including microphysiological systems, engineered tissue models, and related technologies, for fundamental biological studies, disease modeling, or therapeutic evaluation. Preference will be given to candidates who leverage micro- and nanoscale engineering approaches to advance the capabilities of these platforms.

Such systems may complement in vivo approaches as part of an integrated research program and are not intended to preclude use of appropriately justified animal models for mechanistic or translational studies.

Performance Objectives • Establish and lead an innovative, independent research program. • Mentor undergraduate, graduate, and postdoctoral trainees. • Teach undergraduate engineering courses and courses aligned with the candidate's expertise at undergraduate and graduate level. • Collaborate across disciplines, including with physician-scientists, to advance non-virally engineered immune-cell therapies for organ and tissue dysfunction and to develop or apply advanced engineering and experimental platforms for their mechanistic study and therapeutic evaluation. • Contribute to service at the department, college, and university levels.

Education and Experience Requirements Required: • Ph.D., M.D., Pharm.D., or equivalent degree in Biomedical Engineering, Pharmaceutical Sciences, or related fields. • Demonstrated research expertise in non-viral engineering of immune cells and their development or application as cell therapies . • A research record and/or proposed research program addressing regenerative medicine, tissue repair, restoration of tissue or organ function, or related biological mechanisms. • Evidence of commitment to teaching, mentorship, and advancing excellence in academia. • The candidate should demonstrate leadership and the ability to collaborate effectively in an academic setting. • Evidence or potential for sustained extramural funding. • Excellent interpersonal and communication skills are required, with a focus on working constructively, decisively, and collegially with both external and internal colleagues and interdisciplinary teams.

Preferred: • Experience developing or applying microphysiological systems, organ-on-chip platforms, engineered tissue models, or other advanced human-relevant ex-vivo systems for fundamental biological investigation, disease modeling, and/or therapeutic development and evaluation. • Particular interest will be given to candidates who use micro- and nanoscale engineering approaches to develop tunable, physiologically relevant experimental systems in which cellular, molecular, biophysical, and/or microenvironmental parameters can be systematically controlled and interrogated. • Candidates whose proposed independent research programs meaningfully integrate these advanced experimental platforms with non-virally engineered immune-cell therapies for mechanistic investigation and/or therapeutic evaluation will be especially competitive.

Additional Information Ohio State provides access to a depth and breadth of opportunities and resources. Starting your first day, Ohio State offers you a comprehensive benefits package . Department Information The Department of Biomedical Engineering at The Ohio State University is a vibrant, multidisciplinary community advancing fundamental discoveries and translational innovations at the intersection of engineering, medicine, and the life sciences. Our faculty are internationally recognized for their leadership in areas such as nanotechnology, biomaterials, regenerative medicine, biomechanics, biomedical imaging, medical devices, and engineering education.

With strong collaborations across the College of Engineering, College of Medicine, and Wexner Medical Center, the department provides an exceptional environment for cutting-edge research, education, and entrepreneurship. These connections create particular opportunities for engineers to work alongside basic scientists and physician-scientists to understand mechanisms of disease and organ failure and translate emerging cell, gene, and regenerative technologies toward new therapeutic paradigms.

We are committed to training the next generation of scientists, engineers, and physician–innovators, while fostering a culture of inclusive excellence and belonging as integral to success in biomedical engineering. The College of Engineering Faculty Development: The Ohio State University and the College of Engineering are committed to support and develop faculty as well as the work-life balance of its faculty. These resources include The Engineering Faculty Mentoring Program , the Better Research through Better Mentoring program , and an institutional membership to the Center for the Integration of Research, Teaching and Learning .

To learn more visit: https://engineering.osu.edu/faculty-development . Learn more about the College of Engineering, the university and Columbus here . Regenerative Medicine, Cell and Gene Therapy, and Clinical Translation at Ohio State Ohio State provides a highly collaborative environment for advancing regenerative medicine and engineered cell therapies from fundamental discovery toward clinical translation.

Faculty have opportunities to collaborate across the College of Engineering, College of Medicine, and The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, bringing together expertise in biomedical engineering, cell and gene therapy, immunology, regenerative medicine, organ failure, transplantation, and clinical medicine. The Ohio State Gene Therapy Institute brings together investigators across multiple colleges to accelerate the development and translation of gene- and cell-based therapies, with research spanning non-viral gene and cell therapies, cellular engineering and reprogramming, delivery technologies, fundamental biology, and clinical translation.

The Institute provides a strong interdisciplinary environment for investigators developing new approaches to cellular programming and engineered cell therapeutics. Ohio State is also home to one of the nation’s leading comprehensive multi-organ transplant programs, with clinical and research expertise spanning kidney, liver, pancreas, heart, and lung disease. The close integration of engineering, basic science, and clinical programs creates distinctive opportunities for collaboration with physician-scientists studying the cellular and molecular mechanisms of organ dysfunction and failure and for developing regenerative strategies that challenge existing treatment paradigms.

Candidates will have opportunities to build interdisciplinary programs aimed at harnessing engineered cells to restore tissue function and develop new therapeutic approaches for diseases in which transplantation or other chronic supportive measures remain standards of care. The University Ohio State is a top-20 public university, and its Ohio State Wexner Medical Center is one of America’s leading academic health centers. Eligible Ohio State employees receive comprehensive benefits packages, including medical, dental and vision insurance, tuition assistance for employees and their dependents, and state or alternative retirement options with competitive employer contributions.

Grounded in Ohio State University’s Shared Values , our university community welcomes differences, encourages open-minded exploration and courageous thinking, and upholds freedom of expression. IOhio State promotes a culture of work-life balance through institutionalized policies, programs, and resources that help faculty, staff, and their families thrive both professionally and personally. Ohio State is a dynamic community where opportunity thrives, and individuals transform themselves and their world. Positions are available in countless fields and specialties. Become a Buckeye and contribute to an incredible legacy that serves to guide our future and shape a better tomorrow.

Located in Ohio’s capital city, Ohio State’s Columbus campus is near the center of a rapidly growing and vibrant metropolitan area with a population of over 1.5 million. The area offers a wide range of affordable housing, many cultural and recreational opportunities, excellent schools, and a strong economy based on government as well as service, transportation, and technology industries. Additional information about the Columbus area is available here .

Beyond its Columbus campus, Ohio State has four regional campuses including Ohio State Lima, Ohio State Mansfield, Ohio State Marion, and Ohio State Newark, in addition to the College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences (CFAES) Wooster Campus, which houses Ohio State ATI. The university is an equal opportunity employer, including veterans and disability. Final candidates are subject to successful completion of a background check. Additionally, there may be further requirements specific to the college or unit, which could include drug and health screenings, as well as faculty misconduct checks depending on the rank of the position.