Associate Staff Scientist; Intestinal Organoids

Overview

Join CuSTOM Accelerator at Cincinnati Children’s. Want to work alongside a multidisciplinary team of scientists, clinicians, surgeons, bioengineers, computational scientists, and entrepreneurs united by a common goal of accelerating discovery and translating organoid technologies from the laboratory to real-world applications. At the CuSTOM Accelerator, we work at the intersection of academia, industry, and clinical translation to develop next-generation human organoid platforms that advance disease modeling, drug discovery, predictive toxicology, precision medicine, and regenerative therapies.

The successful candidate will join a team focused on advancing and scaling human stem cell‑derived intestinal organoid technologies and their applications in disease modeling, therapeutic development, and regenerative medicine. The overall goal of this program is to transform traditional approaches to biomedical research and drug development by creating more predictive, scalable, and reproducible human stem cell‑based models.

• Lead the development, optimization, and characterization of induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-derived intestinal organoid models for disease modeling, therapeutic discovery, regenerative medicine, and translational applications.
• Establish and implement novel protocols for stem cell differentiation, organoid culture, maturation, and functional assessment.
• Investigate mechanisms of intestinal development, epithelial regeneration, and tissue maturation using human stem cell‑derived organoid systems.
• Contribute to the development and preclinical evaluation of stem cell‑derived intestinal tissues and regenerative medicine strategies aimed at restoring intestinal function.
• Characterize organoid models using molecular, cellular, biochemical, imaging, and functional approaches.
• Design, execute, analyze, and interpret experimental studies independently.
• Collaborate closely with experts in developmental biology, bioengineering, automation, imaging, data science, surgery, and translational medicine to advance organoid platforms and workflows.
• Contribute to the development of scalable and automated organoid manufacturing and screening technologies.
• Present scientific findings at laboratory meetings, seminars, and national or international conferences.
• Prepare manuscripts, abstracts, technical reports, grant applications, and other scientific communications.
• Mentor and supervise junior scientists, trainees, and laboratory personnel.
• Build strong collaborative relationships with academic, clinical, industry, and regulatory partners.

• PhD in Biology, Bioengineering, Developmental Biology, Stem Cell Biology, Biomedical Engineering, or a related field.
• Strong background in developmental biology, stem cell biology, tissue engineering, regenerative medicine, intestinal biology, or advanced in vitro model systems.
• Experience with human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs), adult stem cells, intestinal biology, developmental biology, or organoid model systems.
• Extensive experience with mammalian cell culture techniques and downstream molecular and cellular assays.
• Hands‑on experience in molecular, cellular, and imaging‑based characterization techniques, including flow cytometry, immunostaining, histology, confocal microscopy, high‑content imaging, qPCR, transcriptomics, and single‑cell analysis.
• Experience designing and executing independent research projects.
• Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively in a collaborative and multidisciplinary team environment.
• Strong analytical, organizational, and problem‑solving skills.
• Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously in a fast‑paced research environment.

• Experience developing intestinal organoids, gastrointestinal model systems, or other stem cell‑derived models of gastrointestinal development and disease.
• Experience with laboratory automation platforms, liquid handling systems, robotic workflows, or high‑throughput screening technologies.
• Experience with microphysiological systems, organ‑on‑chip technologies, or other…