About the position
Postdoctoral Researcher for Cornea Chip
Job Summary
The Kim Laboratory at the University of Utah (Department of
Mechanical Engineering and John A. Moran Eye Center) is seeking a
highly motivated, creative, and collaborative Postdoctoral Research
Fellow. The fellow will lead the biological arm of an NIH-funded
project on corneal mechanotransduction in keratoconus. This project
sits at the intersection of corneal biology, mechanobiology, and
organ-on-chip engineering, and builds on the laboratory's recent
work on curvature-dependent regulation of corneal stromal cells
(Nature Communications, 2025).
The successful candidate will generate and validate CRISPR/Cas9
knockout corneal stromal cell lines. They will also study how
curvature and mechanical load regulate corneal cell behavior in
hydraulically controlled organ-chip platforms, and identify the
mechanotransduction pathways underlying keratoconus progression.
Candidates should hold a Ph.D. in Cell Biology, Molecular Biology,
Vision Science, Biomedical Engineering, or a related field, with a
strong track record of first-author publications.
This role requires hands-on expertise in mammalian cell culture,
CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing, and core molecular and imaging
techniques such as qPCR, Western blotting, immunocytochemistry, and
confocal microscopy. A solid understanding of mechanotransduction
signaling, including YAP/TAZ, cytoskeletal remodeling, and ECM
regulation, is essential. The preferred candidate will also bring
experience with corneal or ocular cell culture, 3D or microfluidic
culture systems, and RNA-seq or quantitative image analysis.
Responsibilities
Minimum Qualifications
Preferences
Special Instructions
Requisition Number: PRN46629B
Full Time or Part Time? Full Time
Work Schedule Summary: Monday – Friday 9am – 5pm
Department: 00068 - Mechanical Engineering
Location: Campus
Pay Rate Range: 65,000-70,000
Close Date: 12/31/2026
Open Until Filled:
To apply, visit https://utah.peopleadmin.com/postings/211581
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