Post Doctoral Associate-Costes Lab

The Center for Space Biomanufacturing, Synthetic Biology and Digital Health within the Trivedi Institute for Space and Global Biomedicine at the University of Pittsburgh invites applications for a Postdoctoral Associate appointment. This is a six-month, non-renewable, full-time training position structured as a capstone postdoctoral experience, intentionally designed to precede the appointee’s transition to an independent faculty-level position.
The mission of the Trivedi Institute is to study the impact of space-relevant environmental stressors—including space radiation—on human health and life systems. The Center is actively developing advanced human organoid platforms designed for spaceflight, space-analog missions, and space-relevant radiation biology applications.

Qualifications:

Required
• Ph.D., M.D., or equivalent doctoral degree in molecular biology, cell biology, radiation biology, biomedical sciences, or a closely related field
• Prior postdoctoral experience with human stem cell-derived organoid models or equivalent 3D tissue platforms
• Hands-on experience with mammalian cell culture, including stem cell maintenance and differentiation protocols
• Demonstrated record of first-authored peer-reviewed publications
• Excellent scientific communication skills in English, both written and oral

Strongly Preferred
• Direct experience with particle radiation exposure experiments using human organoid or stem cell models
• Familiarity with space-relevant radiation types (heavy ions, protons, mixed-field radiation) and associated experimental infrastructure
• Prior experience establishing or transferring experimental platforms across institutions
• Background in radiation biology, space biology, or space medicine
• Interest in and commitment to international research collaboration

Roles & Responsibilities:

The appointee will conduct full-time, mentored research under the direct supervision of the Center Director. Specific responsibilities include:
• Acquisition of new experimental methodologies in the Pitt-developed organoid platform with the goal of independently establishing this system at a future independent laboratory
• Design and execution of radiation biology experiments using organoid models in collaboration with Center staff and trainees
• Contribution to manuscript preparation, data analysis, and scientific reporting
• Active participation in research meetings, lab seminars, and mentoring of junior trainees
• Collaboration with international research partners to coordinate shared experimental protocols

This appointment carries no expectation of renewal or conversion to a staff or faculty position at the University of Pittsburgh. It is explicitly and exclusively structured as a terminal, training-focused postdoctoral appointment.

Application Information:
To be considered for this position, please submit a current curriculum vitae through the University of Pittsburgh Talent Center at join.pitt.edu and search for Requisition #: 26003394

The University of Pittsburgh is an equal opportunity employer / disability / veteran.