"Associate Research Scientist"

Job Description

The Department of Biomedical Engineering is accepting applications for an Associate Research Scientist position in the Leong laboratory at Columbia University.

 The primary role of the positions is to assist with developing the research and operations of the Leong Lab.

I. Scientific research and leadership (60%)

1. Lab research: Assisting research projects with synthesis of polymeric carriers, encapsulation of siRNA in nanoparticles, transfection of astrocytes, identifying cells populations by flow cytometry, quantification of knockdown by qPCR, conduct in vivo evaluation and analysis of tissue samples by confocal microscopy.
2. Mentoring trainees: Working with students on the development of research projects, manuscripts preparation, and presentations.

II.   Grant proposals and management (25%)

1. Pre-award: Proposal writing, drafting support letters, coordinating of required submission materials.
2. Post-award: Preparing project progress reports and presenting results at meetings organized by funding agencies.

III.Overseeing the smooth operation of the lab in coordination with other lab members (15%)

1. Centralized organization: Working with current lab members to ensure lab materials are centrally organized, including plasmids, cell stocks, and antibody inventories.
2. Overseeing the coordination of lab tasks: This includes preparation of lab stocks and materials (cell culture supplies, etc.) and lab equipment management

 The laboratory’s research focus is on (i) understanding and exploiting the interactions of cells with nanostructures for therapeutic applications, such as drug, gene, and immunotherapy, as well as nonviral gene editing; (ii) constructing human tissue-on-chips for disease modeling and drug development, and generating patient-specific brain organoid to model neuropsychiatric disorders and to address opioid usage disorder. See the laboratory’s website for more information: http://orion.bme.columbia.edu/leonglab/. The lab is located on the medical campus of Columbia University.

Preferred and Required Qualifications

The minimum educational qualification is a PhD degree in a related field, such as biological sciences, bioengineering, chemistry, chemical engineering.

A minimum of five years of postdoctoral training.

In addition to mentorship from the PI, Columbia University provides an extensive postdoctoral training program to provide guidance in professional development, including workshops focused on grant writing, career development, networking and job searching within and outside of academia. The university offers an excellent benefits package, a competitive salary, and a beautiful working environment. Columbia University is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer — Race/Gender/Disability/Veteran.