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

Post Doctoral.Post Doctoral.Associate
Med-Orthopedic Surgery - Pennsylvania-Pittsburgh - (26005161)

Overall Summary

The Jang Laboratory invites applications for a highly motivated Postdoctoral Fellow to investigate the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying musculoskeletal aging, skeletal muscle dysfunction, and neuromuscular disease. The laboratory integrates stem cell biology, bioengineering, and physiology to study the metabolic and mitochondrial regulation of muscle stem cells, systemic control of muscle homeostasis, and engineering of the muscle stem-cell niche for regenerative medicine. The successful candidate will lead an innovative research project while receiving mentorship in experimental design, scientific communication, grant writing, and career development. The fellow will join the collaborative research environment of the University of Pittsburgh’s Orland Bethel Family Musculoskeletal Research Center, whose mission includes advancing high-impact basic, translational, and clinical musculoskeletal research.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Design, conduct, analyze, and interpret rigorous experiments addressing questions in muscle stem-cell biology, musculoskeletal aging, neuromuscular disease, or regenerative medicine.

• Lead an independent research project aligned with the laboratory’s scientific program.

• Apply relevant cellular, molecular, biochemical, physiological, imaging, bioengineering, and animal-model approaches.

• Maintain complete, accurate, and reproducible experimental records and research data.

• Analyze data using appropriate statistical and computational methods.

• Present research findings at laboratory meetings, departmental seminars, scientific conferences, and other professional forums.

• Prepare manuscripts for publication in peer-reviewed journals and contribute to research proposals, fellowship applications, and progress reports.

• Collaborate with investigators, clinicians, trainees, and research staff across the Jang Laboratory, BMRC, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, and University research community.

• Assist with mentoring graduate students, undergraduate students, and research staff as appropriate.

• Support laboratory operations, including protocol development, regulatory compliance, research-material management, and maintenance of a safe and organized research environment.

• Perform research under the supervision of Dr. Jang, with increasing scientific independence as the fellow demonstrates proficiency and progress.

• Develop new research directions and contribute intellectually to the laboratory’s broader scientific program.

Expectations and Standards

• Demonstrate scientific rigor, integrity, creativity, initiative, and accountability.

• Meet agreed-upon research milestones and communicate progress, challenges, and resource needs promptly.

• Produce high-quality, reproducible research suitable for presentation and peer-reviewed publication.

• Participate actively in laboratory meetings, journal clubs, seminars, and professional-development activities.

• Work effectively both independently and as part of a multidisciplinary team.

• Maintain respectful and professional relationships with colleagues and collaborators.

• Follow all institutional requirements concerning research ethics, laboratory safety, animal or human-subject research, data management, and responsible conduct of research.

• Pursue appropriate fellowship, career-development, or research funding opportunities with mentorship from the principal investigator.

Minimum Qualifications

• PhD, MD, MD/PhD, or equivalent doctoral degree in biology, biomedical engineering, physiology, molecular or cellular biology, biochemistry, regenerative medicine, or a related discipline by the position’s start date.

• Demonstrated experience conducting biomedical research and interpreting experimental results.

• Ability to plan and perform experiments with appropriate supervision.

• Strong written and oral communication skills.

• Evidence of scientific productivity, such as peer-reviewed publications, manuscripts, conference presentations, or other substantive research contributions.

• Ability to work effectively in a collaborative and multidisciplinary environment.

Preferred Qualifications

• Research experience in one or more of the following areas: skeletal muscle biology, stem-cell biology, aging, mitochondrial biology, metabolism, neuromuscular disease, tissue engineering, biomaterials, or regenerative medicine.

• Experience with mammalian cell culture, molecular biology, biochemical assays, microscopy, tissue analysis, flow cytometry, or preclinical animal models.

• Experience with transcriptomic, single-cell, spatial, bioinformatic, or other quantitative approaches.

• Strong first-author publication record.

• Experience preparing manuscripts, fellowship applications, or grant proposals.

• Interest in developing an independent research program and pursuing a career in academic, biomedical, or translational research.

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