Description

Post Doctoral.Post Doctoral.Associate
Med-Medicine - Pennsylvania-Pittsburgh - (26001854)

Postdoctoral Associate #3 Benam Lab Human Intestinal Models and Oral Delivery Modeling

The Benam Lab (https://www.benamlab.net/) at the University of Pittsburgh Departments of Medicine and Bioengineering is seeking a highly motivated Postdoctoral Associate to join an interdisciplinary research program focused on developing and applying advanced human-relevant in vitro models to study systemic biology and therapeutic responses. The successful Candidate will contribute to cutting-edge research at the interface of microphysiological systems (Organs-on-Chips), pharmacology, and translational biomedical science.

This position emphasizes the use of intestine-based, interconnected microphysiological systems to model the oral delivery, absorption, and systemic distribution of therapeutic agents under physiologically relevant conditions, with integration into multi-organ platforms to enable pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic (PK/PD) analyses.

Responsibilities

The Postdoctoral Associate will play a key intellectual and technical role in the research program. Responsibilities include:

• Establish and maintain intestine-based Organs-on-Chips using primary or relevant epithelial cell systems

• Design and execute studies evaluating oral delivery, absorption, and transport of therapeutic agents under controlled experimental conditions

• Perform and optimize assays to assess epithelial barrier function, transport dynamics, and tissue responses

• Support multi-organ integration studies to enable PK/PD analyses across interconnected in vitro systems

• Contribute to development and refinement of experimental workflows to enhance reproducibility and physiological relevance

• Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to integrate intestinal data with complementary organ systems and analytical platforms

• Support data generation, analysis, and interpretation, including integration of findings across studies

• Maintain accurate and detailed documentation of experimental procedures and results

• Contribute to preparation of manuscripts, reports, and grant applications

• Mentor trainees and assist in training of laboratory personnel as needed

Qualifications

Required:

• Ph.D. in Pharmacology, Biomedical Engineering, Physiology, or a related field

• Experience with human intestinal cells and models, and/or intestinal transport biology

• Strong background in experimental design and quantitative analysis

• Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills

• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a multidisciplinary research environment

• Strong written and verbal communication skills

Preferred:

• Experience with intestinal models, barrier function assays, or drug absorption studies

• Familiarity with pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic (PK/PD) concepts

• Experience with Organs-on-Chips or integrated tissue models

• Experience working in interdisciplinary teams integrating biology, engineering, and pharmacology

Interested applicants, please apply through https://www.join.pitt.edu Requisition #26001854

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
Optional Attachments: Cover Letter

Assignment Category Full-time regular

PI284432796