Postdoctoral Associate - Bioengineering at Rice University in Houston, Texas

Job Description:

Special Instructions to Applicants : All interested applicants should attach a resume in the supporting documents section of the application, preferably in a PDF format to avoid any formatting issues.

About Rice:

Boasting a 300-acre tree-lined campus in Houston, Texas, Rice University is ranked among the nation's top 20 universities by U.S. News & World Report. Rice has a 6-to-1 undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio, and a residential college system, which supports students intellectually, emotionally and culturally through social events, intramural sports, student plays, lectures series, courses and student government. Developing close-knit, diverse college communities is a strong campus tradition, which is why Rice is highly ranked for best quality of life and best value among private universities.

Rice is also a wonderful place to work. Rice faculty, staff and students share values that are essential to our success as a healthy community. Those values guide our decisions and behaviors and shape Rice's culture. They come through in the way we treat each other and the welcome we extend to our visitors. These values can be recalled simply by our name - RICE - Responsibility, Integrity, Community and Excellence.

Position Summary:

The Microtechnologies Laboratory for Pediatric Oncology in the Department of Bioengineering at Rice University seeks to hire a postdoctoral fellow position. The Vlassakis Lab is focused on developing microtechnologies to study molecular interactions in pediatric cancers at single-cell and single-molecule scales.

The postdoctoral fellow selected for this position will lead collaborative projects to assess cellular heterogeneity in protein solubility and tumor-immune micro-environment interactions in Ewing sarcoma, the second most common pediatric bone cancer. This project integrates biochemical analysis, optical imaging, and microfluidic separation design to innovate in single-cell protein analysis.

The ideal candidate will have a strong background in cellular analysis and research involving biomolecule separations and high-level knowledge in microfabrication and protein biochemical techniques as well as thermodynamic principles. The candidate should demonstrate curiosity, enthusiasm, and drive, they will approach challenging technical problems and complex biological questions through research, carefully designed experiments, and models. The candidate should have strong written and oral communication skills, evidenced by their previous publications and presentations. As a key senior team member, the candidate will also be expected to aid in supervising junior lab members and in preparing research proposals. The candidate will be mentored in application for competitive internal and external postdoctoral fellowships.

The position is a one-year term limited position funded by the NIH and Welch Foundation with the expectation of renewal for up to three years beyond the initial appointment period with satisfactory performance. This position has a flexible start date targeted for Spring 2025.

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. The fellow will have access to equipment in the Shared Equipment Authority at Rice (including cleanroom nanofabrication equipment) and throughout the Texas Medical Center.

More info about Vlassakis Lab: https://vlassakislab.rice.edu

Workplace Requirements:

Hybrid position: This position is offered as a hybrid role, combining both remote work and experimental work conducted most days of the week on campus. Per Rice policy 440 , work arrangements may be subject to change.

Hiring Range: $61,000-$65,000

*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:

• PhD in in bioengineering, chemical engineering, biochemistry, molecular/cellular biology, or a related field.
• No experience required.

• Analytical Problem-Solving and Research
• Thermodynamics Knowledge
• Communication Skills
• Leadership and Teamwork
• Independent and Collaborative Work
• Strong written communication.

• Experience in research involving biomolecule separations and expertise in microfabrication is preferred
• Preference for high level knowledge of protein biochemical techniques
• Strong interest in developing expertise in microfluidic assay design and fabrication
• Familiarity with basic principles of separation science and mass transport
• Familiarity with micro and nanofabrication techniques
• Keen interest in advancing drug discovery for pediatric cancers

• Research the effect of immune cell populations on Ewing sarcoma cell phenotypes of metastasis
• Design and prototype microdevices for measuring protein solubility and visualizing protein structures at the single-cell level
• Develop analysis approaches for quantifying protein solubility from microscale separation assays
• Publish papers and present findings at national and international conferences
• Mentor and train junior research team members, such as PhD candidates, masters students, and undergraduates
• Assist with proposal development to obtain research funding
• Assist with lab operations, including protocol development and role modeling best practices in rigorous science, record-keeping, lab safety, and being a team player in the lab.
• Support project management and collaboration across institutions or disciplines
• Perform all other duties as assigned

Rice University HR | Benefits: https://knowledgecafe.rice.edu/benefits-overview

Rice Mission and Values: Mission and Values | Rice University

Rice University is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to diversity at all levels and considers for employment qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, genetic information, disability, or protected veteran status.

Rice University is committed to ensuring Equal Employment Opportunity and the full inclusion of all qualified persons in the workplace. This commitment includes providing reasonable accommodations to persons with disabilities. For applicants with disabilities who require a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process, please contact Rice University's Disability Resource Center at 713-348-5841 or adarice@rice.edu for support.

About Us

Boasting a 300-acre tree-lined campus in Houston, Rice University is ranked among the nation's top 20 universities by U.S. News & World Report. Rice has a 6-to-1 undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio, and a residential college system, which supports students intellectually, emotionally and culturally through social events, intramural sports, student plays, lectures series, courses and student government. Developing close-knit, diverse college communities is a strong campus tradition, which is why Rice is highly ranked for best quality of life and best value among private universities.