Associate Research Scientist

This opportunity to join the Department of Pediatrics at the Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons at the rank of Associate Research Scientist is an exciting one. Columbia University Irving Medical Center is one of the nation’s foremost academic health science centers. The Department of Pediatrics at Columbia University Irving Medical Center is the top in comparison with other pediatrics department in the NY region in NIH research funding.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Design, establish, and execute small and large animal studies (mouse, rat, and ferret models) to support preclinical research objectives.
• Develop and perform lung injury and conditioning models, including bleomycin and regional injury approaches.
• Conduct intratracheal, intranasal, and subcutaneous delivery procedures with precision and reproducibility.
• Perform in vivo cell transplantation, engraftment studies, and longitudinal monitoring.
• Design and execute viral immunization, infection, challenge, and protection studies.
• Harvest, process, and analyze tissues for downstream phenotypic and molecular characterization.
• Lead and support in vivo viral research programs, including development of infection and vaccination models.
• Conduct viral challenge experiments and evaluate immune protection outcomes.
• Operate effectively within BSL-2 and BSL-3 laboratory environments, adhering to biosafety regulations and best practices.
• Establish, maintain, and characterize cell lines, organoids, and 3D culture systems.
• Isolate and manipulate primary cells, including lung epithelial cells.
• Differentiate and maintain PSC-derived lung progenitors and epithelial systems.
• Develop and sustain lung organoid and airway epithelial culture platforms.
• Perform functional and phenotypic analyses of in vitro systems.
• Execute advanced molecular biology techniques, including RNA/DNA extraction, RT-qPCR, and gene expression profiling.
• Design and engineer cloning constructs and expression systems.
• Conduct protein expression and interaction analyses (Western blot, ELISA, immunoprecipitation).
• Utilize and develop engineered viral and protein constructs where applicable.
• Perform immunofluorescence staining, confocal microscopy, tissue sectioning, and histopathological analysis.
• Conduct quantitative image analysis using platforms such as ImageJ, Imaris, or equivalent software.
• Integrate imaging datasets with molecular and functional readouts for comprehensive data interpretation.
• Design and execute complex, multi-platform experimental strategies integrating in vivo models, organoid systems, molecular assays, and imaging validation.
• Analyze data rigorously, troubleshoot experimental challenges, and drive projects independently from concept to completion.
• Contribute to scientific publications, reports, and presentations, demonstrating strong research productivity.

Qualifications

• Must have a doctorate degree (M.D. or Ph.D.)
• 1-2 year of postdoctoral training required
• Consistently strong interpersonal skills and the ability to build and sustain effective working relationships with professionals in other disciplines;
• The ability to create a high-energy results-oriented work environment that encourages colleagues and staff to value each other?s contributions
• The ability to share and celebrate success with colleagues and staff.

Columbia University is an Equal Opportunity Employer / Disability / Veteran

Pay Transparency Disclosure

The salary of the finalist selected for this role will be set based on a variety of factors, including but not limited to departmental budgets, qualifications, experience, education, licenses, specialty, and training. The above hiring range represents the University?s good faith and reasonable estimate of the range of possible compensation at the time of posting.