Post-doc Positions Available in Biomaterials

Traditional treatment strategies for osteoarthritis (OA) are palliative, with the focus on pain management and joint replacement. The longstanding inability to develop disease-modifying therapies that can rejuvenate joint cartilage and bone is a great unmet need considering that diarthrodial and spinal OA is the most prevalent disease in the U.S., equal in numbers to the next top 4 disorders combined (heart, pulmonary, mental health and diabetic conditions). The development of an effective regenerative treatment for OA is a vital public health initiative with potential for tremendous impact. Our multi-disciplinary translational project aims to address this unmet need through the development of a novel multimodal biomaterial therapeutic approach.

Our program has an ambitious goal to develop a biomaterial-based therapy that will be translated into humans. To achieve our goal and make an impact in how OA is treated, we are looking for creative and team-oriented individuals with a PhD is materials science and engineering, chemistry, chemical engineering, bioengineering, biomedical engineering, biology, or related fields. Prior post-doc experience is welcome, but not required. Individuals will be part of a highly interdisciplinary team of engineers, biologists, clinicians, and veterinarians.

Specific areas of expertise desired include:  

  • Polymeric nanoparticle synthesis and characterization, nanoparticle drug delivery
  • Polymer synthesis and characterization (e.g., click chemistry)
  • Tissue engineering (e.g., stem cells, immune cells, cell signaling, bioreactors, joint biology, etc.)

Start Date: March 1, 2024 - June 1, 2024

If you are interested in translational science and have a background in any one of these three areas, we encourage you to contact the project lead, Stephanie Bryant at sbryant@colorado.edu.

Professional Research Assistant Positions Available

Multiple positions are available to assist in multi-disciplinary tissue engineering projects. 

Applicants should have the following qualifications:  

  • A minimum of a Bachelor's degree in biology, biochemistry, biomedical engineering, chemical engineering, or related fields,
  • Research experience in a laboratory at a University of in Industry, and
  • Experience in cell culture various biochemical and molecular biology assays (e.g., histology, qPCR, ELISAs, etc.)

Start Date: March 1, 2024 - June 1, 2024

If you are interested please contact Stephanie Bryant at sbryant@colorado.edu.

Undergraduates

Undergraduate opportunities are available in our laboratory on a limited and competitive basis. Undergraduates who work in our laboratory typically develop their own research project under the guidance of Prof. Bryant and a graduate student or post-doc and become independent researchers. Students are expected to be active members of the research group participating in weekly group meetings and helping to maintain the laboratory. There are numerous mechanisms by which undergraduates may work in our laboratory and include independent study, senior thesis, or through a variety of fellowships (e.g., BURST, UROP/HHMI, Discovery Learning Apprenticeship Program). 

Interested undergraduates must meet the following requirements:

1) Due to the nature of our research, a minimum commitment of two full semesters is required.

2) Willing to volunteer on a trial basis prior to committing to a year long research project. This trial period is an opportunity for both the student and our lab to determine whether there is a good match. The trial period typically lasts a total of 10-15 hours and occurs the semester before embarking on a research project. 

3) A student must be able to commit a minimum of 6 hours per week in blocks of at least 2 hours.

4) Attend weekly research group meetings, schedule permitting.

5) Prepare an oral presentation to be given at the end of each semester to our research group.

6) Any additional requirements depending on the mechanism by which the student is performing research (e.g., independent study, senior thesis, fellowships, etc.) 

If you are interested, please email a cover letter and/or resume to Stephanie Bryant at sbryant@colorado.edu.