Salary: $48,000 per year
Benefits: Generous benefits include paid time off including holidays and vacation, retirement match, and tuition remission for employee and dependents. Details at /> Location: Biomedical Engineering
Position Status: Full-time (Grant funded)
Hours: Varied
Position Number: 434610/10-1125
FLSA Status: Exempt

POSITION SUMMARY:

Biomedical Microdevices Lab (BML) is seeking a highly motivated postdoctoral research associate to contribute to a cutting-edge project focused on studying intra- and intercellular mechanotransduction. The successful candidate will play a crucial role in developing and employing a novel microfluidic platform to study the transmission of mechanical signals between cells, specifically from cell-cell junctions to the nucleus, at the single cell level. Through this project, we aim to gain a deeper understanding of how mechanical forces influence nuclear organization and gene expression, with potential applications in various physiological and disease contexts.

This postdoctoral research position offers an exciting opportunity to contribute to a novel area of mechanobiology research, providing a deeper understanding of cellular responses to mechanical stimuli and their implications in disease pathogenesis. The successful candidate will benefit from a structured training environment and international collaborative opportunities. We are committed to promoting a nurturing environment and encourage applications from researchers of all backgrounds.

The initial appointment is for one year, with the possibility of extension based on performance. Note: This is a grant funded position.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Microfluidic Platform Development: The Postdoctoral Research Associate will be responsible for contributing to the development and optimization of a high-throughput mechanotransduction microfluidic platform. This will involve designing and fabricating the microfluidic devices, integrating live cell imaging capabilities, and ensuring precise control of mechanical forces applied to the cells within the platform.

Mechanical Stimulation Experiments: The Postdoctoral Research Associate will conduct experiments to apply flow-induced and physiologically relevant mechanical forces to single cells and cell pairs using the developed microfluidic platform.

Live Cell Imaging and Analysis: The candidate will perform real-time imaging of cellular responses to mechanical forces and analyze the data to understand the impact of these forces.

Collaboration and Communication: The Postdoctoral Research Associate will collaborate with other members of the research team and interact with collaborators in United Kingdom.

Dissemination: The candidate will present research findings at conferences and prepare manuscripts for publication in scientific journals.

Mentoring and Outreach: The candidate will have the opportunity to mentor graduate & undergraduate researchers involved in the project and participate in outreach activities.

Completes other duties as assigned.

About Duquesne University

Duquesne University is a top-tier Catholic university located in the heart of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. As a Carnegie R2 institution, Duquesne fosters a vibrant research environment while maintaining a strong commitment to teaching and community engagement. The university offers state-of-the-art research facilities and a vibrant interdisciplinary research environment across natural sciences, engineering, and health sciences.

Consistently ranked among the most livable cities in the United States, Pittsburgh is a vibrant and affordable city with a thriving innovation ecosystem, world-class medical centers, and a strong academic presence. Home to renowned universities and a growing number of biotech startups, the city also offers a rich cultural scene and abundant green spaces—making it an ideal environment for early-career scholars.

REQUIREMENTS:

Minimum qualifications:

Ph.D. in Biomedical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Biophysics, Physics, Cell Biology, or a related field from an accredited institution.

Strong background in experimental research, microfluidics, and microscopy techniques.

Expertise in mechanobiology, cell-cell interactions, and cellular signaling pathways is desirable.

Excellent communication and collaboration skills to work effectively within a multidisciplinary team and with external collaborators.

A proven track record of scientific productivity, evidenced by publications in peer-reviewed journals.

Alternately, the successful candidate may possess any equivalent combination of experience and training, which provides the knowledge, skills and abilities required to perform the essential job functions. This includes, but is not limited to, the following:

Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with the University Community.

Ability and willingness to contribute actively to the mission of the University and to respect the Spiritan Catholic identity of Duquesne University. The mission is implemented through a commitment to academic excellence, a spirit of service, moral and spiritual values, sensitivity to world concerns, and an ecumenical campus community.

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS:

Applicants are asked to submit a cover letter, resume, and contact information for three professional references.
Review of applications will begin immediately and will continue until the position is filled. Preference will be given to candidates who are available to start by January 2026.
Duquesne University was founded in 1878 by its sponsoring religious community, the Congregation of the Holy Spirit. Duquesne University is Catholic in mission and ecumenical in spirit. Motivated by its Catholic identity, Duquesne values equality of opportunity both as an educational institution and as an employer.