Postdoctoral Research Associate - College of Engineering - Department of Mechanical Engineering

Postdoctoral Research Associate

Carnegie Mellon University's department of Mechanical Engineering is searching for a Postdoctoral Research Associate to join their team. This is an exciting opportunity for someone who thrives in an interesting and challenging work environment. You will contribute to the department by working on the characterization and device-relevant evaluation of engineered mammalian cells designed for therapeutic output and biomarker sensing in the context of osteoporosis.

This position will focus on assessing engineered cells and adapting them for use with in implantable bio integrated device environments. The postdoctoral associate will design and execute studies of cell viability, growth, functionality, optical reporter performance, stimulation response, stability, and longevity under controlled in vitro and device-relevant conditions. The role will require close coordination with external collaborators and internal devices, tissue-engineering, optics, and systems-integration teams.

The position is intended for a highly capable experimentalist who can connect cell biology with quantitative engineering requirements, build rigorous test plans, troubleshoot complex assays, and generate milestone ready datasets.

Core Responsibilities:

• Lead experimental work streams that address project milestones in a timely and rigorous manner.
• Design, execute, analyze, and document quantitative studies of engineered-cell performance.
• Coordinate with external collaborators to receive, culture, characterize, and test engineered cell lines.
• Work with device and systems teams to translate biological performance requirements into testable engineering specifications.
• Prepare SOPs, study plans, data-analysis pipelines, technical reports, presentations, and manuscript/proposal materials.
• Maintain high standards for data integrity, reproducibility, biosafety, and traceable documentation.
• Mentor graduate students, technicians, and other trainees as appropriate.
• Participate in regular internal and multi-institutional project meetings.
• Identify technical risks early and propose mitigation or contingency experiments.
• Characterize engineered cells under standard and device-relevant culture conditions.
• Evaluate cell viability, growth, morphology, function, reporter expression, and long-term stability in relevant in vitro environments.
• Assess cell performance in matrices, compartments, or culture configurations relevant to implantable systems.
• Develop assays to evaluate stimulation-response behavior, secreted therapeutic output, optical reporter performance, and biomarker-responsive readouts.
• Coordinate cell-line transfer, banking, quality-control documentation, and repeatability studies.
• Compare cell performance across culture formats, materials, oxygen/nutrient conditions, and longer-duration test periods.
• Support integration of engineered cells with optical, electronic, and tissue-engineered device subsystems.
• Generate milestone-ready datasets that inform cell-selection, device-integration, and functional-validation decisions.
• Perform other project-related duties as assigned.

Adaptability, excellence, and passion are vital qualities within Carnegie Mellon University. We are in search of a team member who can effectively interact with a varied population of internal and external partners at a high level of integrity. We are looking for someone who shares our values and who will support the mission of the university through their work.

Qualifications:

• Ph.D. in Biology, Biomedical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Bioengineering, Cell Biology, Molecular Biology, Synthetic Biology, or a closely related field
• 3-5 years of experience
• Experience designing and executing quantitative cell-based experiments, including cell viability, proliferation, functional stability, reporter output, dose-response, and longitudinal performance studies.
• Familiarity with sterile technique, fluorescence imaging or plate-reader assays, molecular/cellular assay workflows, and statistical analysis is required.
• Experience with synthetic biology, optogenetic or electrogenetic systems, hormone/peptide secretion assays, calcium signaling, or device-based cell culture is strongly preferred.
• Preferred training includes BSL-2 training, biosafety training, chemical hygiene training, human/animal-subjects compliance training if later required by assigned studies.
• A combination of education and relevant experience from which comparable knowledge is demonstrated may be considered.

Joining the CMU team opens the door to an array of exceptional benefits.

Benefits eligible employees enjoy a wide array of benefits including comprehensive medical, prescription, dental, and vision insurance as well as a generous retirement savings program with employer contributions. Unlock your potential with tuition benefits, take well-deserved breaks with ample paid time off and observed holidays, and rest easy with life and accidental death and disability insurance.

Additional perks include a free…