Postdoctoral Research Fellow​/Robotic Transplantation

The Department of Surgery at Columbia University Irving Medical Center is seeking a highly motivated Postdoctoral Research Fellow to join a dynamic multidisciplinary team at the forefront of robotic liver surgery, robotic transplantation, and surgical innovation
. Under the mentorship of Dr. Jason Hawksworth and Dr. Tomoaki Kato
, the fellow will contribute to groundbreaking clinical research, outcomes studies, surgical education initiatives, and the development of innovative multimedia learning resources. The position combines cutting-edge research, surgical education, digital innovation, and multidisciplinary collaboration in the rapidly evolving fields of robotic liver surgery and transplantation.

The successful candidate will play a central role in advancing the next generation of robotic hepatobiliary and transplant surgery while helping build a groundbreaking multimedia educational platform designed to transform how surgeons, trainees, and patients learn complex surgical procedures.

This unique fellowship offers an opportunity to:

• Conduct impactful clinical and translational research in robotic liver surgery, living donor liver transplantation, and abdominal transplantation.
• Design and lead research projects from concept development and IRB submission through publication.
• Analyze institutional and national datasets and present findings at regional, national, and international conferences.
• Collaborate with surgeons, engineers, software developers, and multimedia specialists to create a comprehensive web-based educational platform for robotic liver surgery.
• Develop educational content including operative videos, animations, surgical technique guides, webinars, podcasts, and interactive learning modules.
• Mentor medical students and residents while contributing to grant writing and scholarly publications.

We welcome candidates who have:

• An MD and completion of at least three years of a general surgery residency program, or completion of an internal medicine or pediatric residency
• A demonstrated record of research productivity through presentations and/or publications.
• Interest in hepatobiliary surgery, abdominal transplantation, robotic surgery, surgical education, or medical innovation.
• Experience in clinical research, scientific writing, and statistical analysis.
• Excellent communication, organizational, and collaborative skills.
• Experience with video editing, website development, graphic design, multimedia production, or AI-assisted educational content is advantageous but not required.

This fellowship provides a rare opportunity to work alongside internationally recognized leaders in transplantation and robotic surgery while helping shape the future of surgical education through innovative digital learning platforms. Fellows will gain extensive experience in research methodology, academic scholarship, surgical innovation, and educational technology in one of the fastest-growing areas of modern surgery.

$72,500 - $115,000 annually

1 year

Columbia University is an Equal Opportunity Employer / Disability / Veteran

The salary of the finalist selected for this role will be set based on a variety of factors, including but not limited to departmental budgets, qualifications, experience, education, licenses, specialty, and training. The above hiring range represents the University’s good faith and reasonable estimate of the range of possible compensation at the time of posting.