Post Doctoral.Post Doctoral.Associate in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania at University of Pittsburgh

Post Doctoral.Post Doctoral.Associate
Med-Cell Biology - Pennsylvania-Pittsburgh - (26006520)

School: Medicine

Department: Cell Biology

Classification: Postdoctoral Associate

Start Date: 12/01/2026

Overall Summary:
The Butterworth Laboratory in the Department of Cell Biology at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine is recruiting a postdoctoral scholar to join a research direction in the lab focused on intracellular trafficking and membrane transport processes in polarized epithelial cells, with an emphasis on endosomal escape. The project applies novel biochemical and imaging-based approaches to quantify how material moves through epithelial cells. The successful candidate will bring experience in receptor-mediated endocytosis and epithelial trafficking, along with broader experience in renal epithelial biology and mouse models, to help establish and apply experimental approaches across the lab’s research program. The position offers a collaborative training environment spanning cell biology, renal physiology, and biochemistry, with the opportunity to help shape a developing project from an early stage.

Duties or Responsibilities:

• Culture and maintain polarized epithelial cell models, including Transwell-based culture systems
• Perform biochemical trafficking assays, including surface labeling and subcellular fractionation approaches, to track intracellular movement of material related to endosomal escape
• Apply imaging and/or quantitative image analysis approaches to study epithelial trafficking processes
• Help establish and troubleshoot new experimental assays as the project develops
• Collaborate with related research labs to exchange data and refine experimental approaches
• Perform qPCR-based validation of gene expression from kidney tissue and cultured renal epithelial cells
• Maintain and manipulate primary epithelial cell cultures and establish novel cell lines
• Support mouse model studies as needed, including tissue harvest and downstream processing
• Draft a written Postdoctoral Career Development Plan with the guidance of the mentor, including plans for publications and grant submissions
• Participate in regular research project meetings with the mentor and collaborators
• Participate in regular meetings with other Postdoctoral Associates and Scholars to help generate research ideas and learn to write grant proposals
• Publish at least two journal articles per year as first author

Expectations or Standards:

• PhD in Cell Biology, Molecular Physiology, Biochemistry, or a related discipline
• Experience with polarized epithelial cell culture systems
• Demonstrated experience with receptor-mediated endocytosis, intracellular trafficking, or related membrane trafficking assays
• Experience with biochemical approaches to trafficking analysis (e.g., surface biotinylation, organelle fractionation, kinetic modeling of trafficking data)
• Experience with renal epithelial cell biology
• Experience with in vivo mouse models
• Experience with qPCR and standard molecular biology techniques
• Experience with CRISPR/Cas9-based cell line engineering preferred
• Familiarity with fluorescence imaging and/or quantitative image analysis preferred
• US citizen or permanent resident
• Ability to independently perform research in the above areas with mentoring from a faculty member
• Ability to write and publish journal articles

Opportunities Available:

• Travel funds will be provided for attendance at a relevant national conference
• Attend OACD Workshops

The University of Pittsburgh is an equal opportunity employer / disability / veteran.

Assignment Category: Full-time regular
Campus: Pittsburgh
Child Protection Clearances: Not Applicable
Required Attachments: Curriculum Vitae

Assignment Category Full-time regular