Postdoctoral Researcher, Translational Human Reproductive Biology

Postdoctoral Researcher, Translational Human Reproductive Biology

Location: University of Pennsylvania - Perelman School of Medicine

Open Date: Aug 24, 2026

Faculty Mentor: Kathleen O'Neill MD MSTR Department: OBGYN Research Funding Source Type: PI Grant Number of Positions: 1 Candidates requiring visa sponsorship are welcome toapply.

The O'Neill Lab in the Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine seeks aPostdoctoral Researcher to join a translational research program focused on the female reproductive tract. Our overarching goal isto understand the cellular and molecular basis of implantation,endometrial regeneration, and gynecologic disease, and to translatethose discoveries into new therapies for infertility and otherdisorders of women's health.

The lab works almost exclusively in human systems. Ongoing projects include: molecular mapping of the healthy female reproductive tractas a Tissue Mapping Center within the NIH HuBMAP Consortium, usingsingle-cell and spatial approaches (10x Multiome, Visium) andmultiplexed imaging (CODEX); development of lipid nanoparticle andmRNA therapeutics for reproductive disorders in collaboration withthe Penn Institute for RNA Innovation, including a vaginallyadministered mRNA-LNP therapeutic to reduce heavy menstrualbleeding as part of the Wellcome Leap “The Missed Vital Sign”program, which seeks precise, non-hormonal treatments that can beself-administered without surgery or suppression of the menstrualcycle;

mapping the surface proteome of endometrial cellpopulations; and studies of endometrial regeneration and pregnancyimmunology in recipients of the Penn UNTIL uterus transplant  vitro human models, including patient-derived endometrialorganoids, are central to this work.

The Postdoctoral Researcher will take primary intellectual and technical ownership of a project within these areas, with theexpectation of shaping its direction over time and building towardan independent research program. This is a highly collaborative environment: the lab includes a research assistant, rotating REIfellows, OB/GYN residents, graduate and medical students, andundergraduates, and works closely with clinical teams, engineering and RNA biology groups at Penn, and external scientificcollaborators.

We place real value on a positive, generous labculture and on training that is responsive to each person's goals.

The successful candidate will be someone who takes initiative, is comfortable troubleshooting and optimizing protocols independently,reaches out across institutions to learn a technique or start acollaboration, and contributes to the scientific and social healthof the group.

• Design, execute, and independently troubleshoot experiments usingprimary human reproductive tract tissue and patient-derived organoid models.
• Maintain and expand primary and organoid culture systems,including derivation, passaging, differentiation, treatmentexperiments, and quality control.
• Perform core molecular assays, including RNA and DNA extraction,RT-qPCR, protein assays, and sample preparation for bulk,single-cell, and spatial transcriptomics.
• Perform and optimize tissue-based imaging, including IHC andimmunofluorescence on FFPE and frozen human tissue, and multiplexedor multicyclic imaging platforms such as CODEX.
• Analyze, quantify, and interpret imaging and sequencing data;work with computational collaborators to move analyses forward andto interrogate published and consortium datasets.
• Maintain rigorous, organized, and reproducible documentation of protocols, experiments, and data; contribute to lab-wide standard operating procedures.
• Coordinate with clinical teams and study coordinators on humantissue acquisition and processing, in strict adherence toIRB-approved protocols and specimen handling requirements.
• Prepare figures, manuscripts, abstracts, and presentations;present work at lab meetings, institutional forums, and nationalscientific meetings.
• Contribute to grant applications, progress reports, andconsortium deliverables, and pursue individual fellowship or career development funding (for example F32, K99/R00, or foundationawards).
• Establish and maintain scientific collaborations within Penn andat outside institutions, including directly contacting otherlaboratories to learn techniques, source reagents, and resolve technical problems.
• Mentor and provide day-to-day technical guidance to REI fellows,OB/GYN residents, medical students, and undergraduatetrainees.
• Participate in shared lab operations and citizenship, including safety compliance, equipment upkeep, reagent ordering, journalclub, and onboarding of new lab members.

• PhD, MD, or equivalent advanced degree in reproductive biology,cell or molecular biology, immunology, physiology, bioengineering,or a closely related field. Candidates who have completed alldegree requirements but have not yet been…