Post Doctoral Associate-D'Amore Lab

The laboratory of Antonio D’Amore, PhD, at the McGowan Institute for Regenerative Medicine, affiliated with the Departments of Surgery and Bioengineering at the University of Pittsburgh, is committed to excellence in research and to training the next generation of biomedical scientists.

We are seeking a highly motivated and talented full-time Postdoctoral Associate to join a multidisciplinary research team working on an NIH R01-funded project focused on tissue-engineered heart valves. The laboratory integrates biomaterials science, biomechanics, mechanobiology, computational modeling, advanced manufacturing, and preclinical validation to develop next-generation regenerative cardiovascular implants.

The laboratory operates in two locations: Pittsburgh and Palermo – RiMED, UPMC Italy. This position is fully based in Pittsburgh.

Qualifications:
• PhD in Bioengineering, Biomedical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Materials Science, Regenerative Medicine, or a closely related field
• Strong publication record, including first-author peer-reviewed articles
• Demonstrated experience in experimental design, data analysis, and scientific writing
• Excellent communication, organizational, and interpersonal skills
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively in a multidisciplinary environment

Preferred qualifications include experience in one or more of the following areas:
• Biomaterials and scaffold design/fabrication
• Cardiovascular tissue engineering
• Mechanical characterization of soft tissues or biomaterials
• Cell culture and in vitro biological assays
• Histology, immunohistochemistry, microscopy, and image analysis
• Computational modeling, finite element analysis, or image-based modeling
• Large-animal studies or translational/preclinical research
• Molecular biology techniques such as proteomics or gene expression analysis

Job Summary:
The Postdoctoral Associate will contribute to independent and collaborative research projects related to the development, optimization, and preclinical evaluation of tissue-engineered heart valve technologies. The successful candidate will be expected to participate in the design and execution of experiments, analyze and interpret complex datasets, and help advance biomaterial and tissue-engineering strategies toward clinical translation.

Specific responsibilities may include:
• Designing and conducting in silico, in vitro and ex vivo experiments on biomaterials and tissue-engineered valve constructs
• Polymeric heart valve processing
• Performing mechanical, structural, biological, and imaging-based characterization of engineered constructs
• Supporting in vivo and preclinical studies related to heart valve performance, remodeling, and functionality
• Contributing to data integration across experimental and computational platforms
• Preparing manuscripts for publication in peer-reviewed journals
• Assisting in grant writing, reporting, and presentation of results at scientific meetings
• Mentoring graduate, undergraduate, and visiting trainees in the laboratory as appropriate

The ideal candidate will have a strong interest in translational cardiovascular bioengineering, a high level of scientific rigor, and the ability to thrive in a collaborative and intellectually demanding environment.

To be considered for this position, applicants should provide a current curriculum vitae, a brief statement of research interests, and contact information for three references when applying through the University of Pittsburgh Talent Center, requisition number: 26004372

Physical Effort:
Ordinary wet lab physical effort. May require lifting up to 25 lbs.

Position Location:
Pittsburgh, PA

The University of Pittsburgh offers competitive compensation and benefits packages.

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