Special Postdoctoral Fellow in Cell Surface Receptors, Integrin Agonists, and Organoid Biology

Join the Lab of Tim Springer

Tim Springer, a leader in integrin biology, invites aspiring scientists to join his lab to advance groundbreaking research at the intersection of integrin signaling, organoid development, and cell surface receptor structure and mechanobiology. A new focus is bioengineering new materials for organoids, with wide-reaching implications for regenerative medicine, stem cell biology, and therapeutic development. This role offers mentorship and unique opportunities to establish a strong scientific foundation for launching an independent research career.

As a Special Postdoctoral Fellow, you will:

• Pursue cutting‑edge research in areas such as:
  • Stem cells and organoids: develop and apply novel ligands that bind to temperature‑dependent gels for stem cell and organoid growth
  • Cryo‑EM: activation of integrins and TGF‑β and ligand binding
  • Mechanobiology: integrin force transduction in adhesion and TGF‑β activation
  • Single molecules: utilize advanced techniques including FRET and magnetic tweezers to explore conformational change kinetics and force transmission in integrins and selectins
  • Innovative ReaLiSM (receptor and ligand in single molecules) to study receptor‑ligand binding dynamics
  • TGF‑β activation: research localized activation at cell surfaces for new therapeutic targets
• Own and develop your project: we encourage candidates to develop new research ideas, which they can carry forward to establish their own labs.

• Organoid and stem cell systems
• Single‑molecule imaging
• Cryo‑EM
• FRET reporters using non‑canonical amino acids
• Magnetic and laser tweezers
• Mechanobiology and therapeutic target discovery

• Mentorship from Tim Springer, renowned for his pioneering work in integrins and cell biology
• Work at the frontier of a rapidly expanding area bridging fundamental biophysics and translational biotech
• Independence and growth: develop projects that will empower your transition to an independent research career
• Collaborative environment at Harvard Medical School and Boston Children’s Hospital

To apply, please email the following to vard.edu with “Special Postdoctoral Fellow” in the subject line:

Salary: $78,000 annually
Appointment: 1‑year initial term, renewable (multi‑year funding)
Start:
Summer‑Fall 2026
Visa sponsorship: available

Qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, protected veteran status, or disability.