Postdoctoral Associate - Bioengineering

Position Summary:

The McHugh Lab in the Department of Bioengineering at Rice University (Houston, TX) seeks to hire a postdoctoral associate working in the area of immunology for novel vaccine development. At a high level, the McHugh Lab is focused on the development of translational drug delivery platforms with the potential to address a variety of conditions ranging from prophylaxis for infectious diseases to cancer therapies. These bespoke delivery systems often leverage a combination of material properties and advanced manufacturing techniques and engage the immune system to fight disease.

The postdoctoral fellow selected for this position will co-lead an interdisciplinary project funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation that aims to employ a controlled-release vaccine delivery platform to create combination vaccines with otherwise incompatible vaccines. Specifically, we aim to encapsulate a next-generation polio vaccine inside particles fabricated using the Particles Uniformly Liquified and Sealed to Encapsulate Drug (PULSED) platform to offset the timing of release from a co-delivered soluble vaccine to prevent immunological interference. The responsibilities of the postdoctoral fellow selected for this position will include evaluating vaccine stability and release in vitro as well as planning and performing in vivo experiments to characterize the immune response to multiple antigens. Additionally, this postdoc will be responsible for directing the work of a research technician working on the project and collaborating with a postdoc specializing in the development of new materials to be used with the PULSED platform.

Due to its location at the boundary between Rice University and the Texas Medical Center--the largest medical center in the world--the lab is uniquely positioned to advance its technologies towards the clinic with active collaborations with clinician-scientists at MD Anderson Cancer Center, the Baylor College of Medicine, Houston Methodist, and Texas Heart Institute.

Additional Information:

• This position is a one-year term-limited position funded by a grant with the expectation of renewal beyond the initial appointment period with satisfactory performance.
• Funding for this project has been secured through August 2027, and funds to support continued employment beyond that date will likely be available.
• This position is available immediately; however, the start date is flexible and could be delayed based on the needs of the applicant.
• This position will remain open until filled, with an expected posting end date of May 2026.

Ideal Candidate Statement:

The ideal candidate will be a creative, highly motivated early-career scientist with training in immunology and an interest in immunological characterization techniques. Prior experience working with animal models is strongly preferred, and the candidate should be willing to complete all required training and certifications. The candidate should demonstrate strong written and oral communication skills and an interest in developing a record of publications and conference presentations. As a senior member of the lab, the postdoc will spend a small portion of their time supporting and training junior lab members and assisting with the preparation of research proposals. In turn, they will receive one-on-one mentorship from the PI, support for postdoctoral fellowship applications, and, if desired, guidance on applying for faculty positions in academia.

Workplace Requirements:

This position is exclusively on-site, necessitating all duties to be performed in-person at Rice University. Per Rice policy 440, work arrangements may be subject to change.

Hiring Range: Salary will be set in accordance with NIH postdoctoral stipend guidelines and commensurate with experience.

*Exempt (salaried) positions under FLSA are not eligible for overtime.

This position is funded by a grant, soft and/or restricted funds. Continued employment is contingent on the renewal of funding.

Minimum Requirements:

• Ph.D. or other doctoral degree immunology, biomedical engineering, bioengineering, vaccinology, biology, or related fields.
• No additional experience beyond graduate research is required
• Skills:
  • Foundational training in humoral and cellular immune characterization assays
  • Familiarity with flow cytometry techniques
  • Familiarity with ELISA-based assays
  • Exposure to in vivo protocol development and execution, with willingness to complete required training
  • Strong written and oral communication skills, including experience preparing and/or contributing to manuscripts
  • Ability to work both independently and collaboratively within a research team

Preferences:

• Experience or strong interest in mentoring early-career trainees (e.g., undergraduate or graduate students)
• Prior exposure to, or interest in, drug or vaccine delivery approaches (coursework or research experience)
• Demonstrated interest in translational research and applying scientific findings to real-world problems

Essential Functions:

• Develops and evaluates in vitro antigen stability using ELISA, with guidance from the PI and senior lab members as needed
• Designs and helps execute in vivo studies to evaluate controlled-release vaccine formulations
• Collects, analyzes, and interprets experimental data
• Contributes to publishing research papers and presenting findings at national and international conferences
• Supports the mentoring and training of junior research team members, including graduate and undergraduate students
• Assists with proposal development to obtain and sustain research funding
• Supports project management, progress reporting, and collaboration across disciplines
• Performs all other duties as assigned