Positions Available

Two Postdoctoral Researcher Positions Available

The Jia Research Group in the Departments of Biomedical Engineering and Materials Science and Engineering at the University of Delaware invites applications for a Postdoctoral Researcher position in the area of salivary gland tissue engineering. In collaboration with chemists, materials scientists, and biomedical engineers on the team, the postdoctoral researcher conduct in vitro 3D cell culture experiments to develop cellular constructs using human salivary gland progenitor cells and synthetic biomaterials. He/she will establish an animal model of dry month, perform surgeries for construct implantation and evaluate the function of the engineered tissue. The targeted postdoctoral researcher will have a Ph.D. in biological sciences, biomedical engineering or related fields. Candidates with knowledge in molecular/cell biology and experience in 3D cell culture, animal handling and in vivo testing are preferred. Independence, creativity, and good communication skills are essential. The initial appointment is for one year and is renewable for up to three years based on reasonable progress. Applicants should send a cover letter outlining their research interests and career plans, a detailed resume, and three letters of recommendation to: Dr. Xinqiao Jia at xjia@udel.edu.

The Jia Research Group in the Departments of Biomedical Engineering and Materials Science and Engineering at the University of Delaware invites applications for a Postdoctoral Researcher position in the area of vocal fold tissue modeling. In collaboration with chemists, materials scientists, and biomedical engineers on the team, the postdoctoral researcher will develop a chip-based vocal fold scar model. He/she will conduct microfluidic coculture studies using mesenchymal stem cells and iPSC-derived epithelial cells, identify optimal conditions to establish healthy and fibrotic models, and evaluate clinically relevant antifibrotic drugs. The targeted postdoctoral researcher will have a Ph.D. in biological sciences, biomedical engineering or related fields. Candidates with knowledge in molecular/cell biology and experience in microfluidic cell cultures are preferred. Independence, creativity, and good communication skills are essential. The initial appointment is for one year and is renewable for up to three years based on reasonable progress. Applicants should send a cover letter outlining their research interests and career plans, a detailed resume, and three letters of recommendation to: Dr. Xinqiao Jia at xjia@udel.edu.

Graduate Research Assistants

The Jia Research Group has immediate openings for Ph.D. candidates in Materials Science and Engineering (MSEG) and Biomedical Engineering (BME). Our research program is focused on the design, synthesis and characterization of advanced biomaterials for the treatment of human diseases. Novel polymeric biomaterials being developed in our group include multifunctional, cross–linkable micro– and nano–particles and instructive synthetic extracellular matrices that resemble their natural counterparts structurally and functionally. These soft and hybrid materials are being evaluated as drug delivery vehicles and synthetic scaffolds for the engineering of healthy, replacement tissues, such as vocal fold, salivary gland and cartilage, as well as pathological tissues, such as prostate cancer tumor spheroids. Our research activities are currently supported by the National Science Foundation, National Institutes of Health and the DuPont Company. Depending on the nature of the thesis work, students can receive Ph.D. in MSEG or BME. Qualified candidates will be considered for the University of Delaware Graduate Fellowship and the National Science Foundation IGERT Fellowship. Students with basic training in organic chemistry, polymer science and engineering, chemical engineering, materials science and engineering, biomedical engineering and pharmacy are encouraged to apply. Please send your CV to Dr. Xinqiao Jia at xjia@udel.edu for consideration.