Research Associate - Kidney and Cardiovascular - Metabolic Disease Research

Location: Philadelphia, PA

Open Date: Oct 14, 2026

at 11:59 PM Eastern Time

The Division of Renal-Electrolyte and Hypertension in the Department of Medicine at the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania seeks candidates for a Research Associate position in the Academic Support Staff. This appointment will be initially for one (1) year and continuation during that time period and renewal are based on satisfactory performance and availability of funding (limited to three (3) years).

Expertise is required in the specific area of molecular and cellular biology, kidney disease research, cardiovascular-metabolic disease research, human genetics, genomics, or a closely related biomedical research field. Candidates should have demonstrated experience in experimental design, advanced molecular biology techniques, genetically modified animal models, and computational analysis and interpretation of complex biomedical datasets. Experience with single-cell or single-nucleus RNA sequencing, spatial transcriptomics, multi-omics data integration, gene expression analysis, primary cell culture, and functional validation studies is highly desirable.

Research experience involving diabetic kidney disease, kidney injury and fibrosis, cardiovascular disease mechanisms, or metabolic disorders is preferred. Applicants must have an M.D. or M.D./Ph.D. or equivalent degree.

Responsibilities may include designing and conducting biomedical research focused on the molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying kidney and cardiovascular-metabolic diseases, with an emphasis on diabetic kidney disease and therapeutic responses to SGLT2 inhibitors. Responsibilities will include designing and performing molecular and cellular experiments; utilizing genetically modified mouse models to investigate disease mechanisms; performing advanced molecular biology techniques, including gene expression analysis, plasmid construction, and primary cell isolation and culture;

conducting computational analyses of human genetic, single-cell, single-nucleus RNA sequencing, and high‑resolution spatial transcriptomic datasets; integrating multi‑omics data to identify disease‑associated cellular states, molecular pathways, and therapeutic responses; conducting functional validation studies; interpreting experimental findings; and collaborating with multidisciplinary research teams and external research facilities.

The successful applicant will have an opportunity to advance their expertise in kidney and cardiovascular‑metabolic disease research within a highly collaborative academic research environment at the University of Pennsylvania. The successful applicant will have opportunities to independently design and lead multidisciplinary biomedical research projects investigating diabetic kidney disease and therapeutic responses to SGLT2 inhibitors; integrate human genetics, single‑cell and spatial transcriptomics, and spatial metabolomics with experimental disease models;

conduct advanced molecular and cellular studies; collaborate with investigators and specialized research facilities; and contribute to scientific discoveries that improve our understanding of kidney injury, disease progression, and therapeutic mechanisms.

The successful candidate will join the Division of Renal‑Electrolyte and Hypertension in the Department of Medicine at the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania and participate in a collaborative biomedical research program focused on understanding the molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying kidney and cardiovascular‑metabolic diseases.

The research program integrates human…