Research Fellow

How to Apply

We are looking for evidence of independent thought. Please apply through the University of Michigan job portal ([add posting link]). Your submission must include:

1.    A CV detailing your technical repertoire and publication record.
2.    A vision statement (cover letter, 2 pages max). Do not summarize your past work. Tell us how your expertise would shape the EVP heterogeneity platform, and which diagnostic or therapeutic question you would use it to solve first.
3.    Contact information for three references.
Review begins immediately and continues until the position is filled. 
 

Mission Statement

MDentistry: advancing health through education, service, research and discovery

MDentistry Core Values: Compassion, Leadership, Excellence, Responsibility, Trust, Creativity, and Inclusion

The mission of the University of Michigan is to serve the people of Michigan and the world through preeminence in creating, communicating, preserving and applying knowledge, art, and academic values, and in developing leaders and citizens who will challenge the present and enrich the future.  The University of Michigan is committed to foster learning, creativity and productivity, and to support the vigorous exchange of ideas and information, not only in the classroom but in the workplace by:  -Creating a work environment in which people treat each other with respect and dignity, regardless of roles, responsibilities or differences.  -Providing support, direction and resources enabling us to accomplish the responsibilities of our jobs and to reach the goals that are set for professional and personal growth.

Job Summary

University of Michigan - School of Dentistry (BMSP) and College of Engineering - Ann Arbor, MI

Title: Research Fellow - Supervisor: Jae-Won Shin, Ph.D. & Sunitha Nagrath, Ph.D.

The mission: decoding the messages cells send

Cells constantly send each other nanoscale packages called extracellular vesicles and particles (EVPs). These packages shape how we develop, get sick and heal. Yet no two are alike. Every sample is a mix of subpopulations that differ in origin, surface markers and cargo, and bulk measurements average that information away.

The Michigan Center for Extracellular Nanomedicine (MCEN) exists to change that. MCEN spans the School of Dentistry (Jae-Won Shin) and the College of Engineering (Sunitha Nagrath). We are not just characterizing particles. We are building a technology platform that resolves EVP heterogeneity for diagnostics and therapeutics: high-resolution separation, single-particle analysis and AI working together, open to the entire U-M research community.

We seek a founding Center Postdoctoral Fellow who works as an independent investigator in training: someone who will build this platform, give it a scientific identity, and use it to find the EVP subpopulations that will become the next diagnostic biomarkers and engineered therapeutics.

Responsibilities*

This role is defined by outcomes, not tasks. You will be responsible for:

• Platform ownership. Design, build and validate MCEN's EVP heterogeneity platform for diagnostics and therapeutics. Integrate separation methods (e.g., AF4, immunoaffinity and microfluidic sorting) with single-particle readouts (e.g., nano-flow cytometry, single-EV imaging, single-vesicle protein and RNA profiling), benchmarked to MISEV standards.
• A resource for the university. Turn the platform into a resource that labs across U-M, in medicine, dentistry, engineering, pharmacy and the life sciences, can use for their own discoveries. This includes consultation, training and SOPs that make data comparable across labs.
• Scientific ownership. Develop a distinct research thread that uses the platform to turn specific EVP subpopulations into diagnostic signatures (e.g., liquid biopsy for early disease detection) or therapeutic candidates (e.g., subpopulation-enriched or engineered vesicles for drug delivery and tissue repair) in cancer, neurodegeneration or regeneration.
• Data into prediction. Work with AI collaborators to turn single-particle and multi-omic datasets into predictive models that classify subpopulations and connect particle structure to function.
• Scholarly and strategic leadership. Lead high-impact manuscripts. Help shape the center-level, shared-instrumentation and fellowship proposals (NIH, NSF, foundations) and the industry partnerships that will sustain MCEN for the long term.
• Training. Mentor students and train platform users. Help build an interdisciplinary training culture in biology, engineering and computation.

Required Qualifications*

You hold a PhD (or equivalent, e.g., DDS/DMD-PhD, MD-PhD) in biomedical engineering, cell or molecular biology, materials science, chemical engineering, pharmaceutical sciences or a related field. You have at least two first-author peer-reviewed original research papers. Beyond that, you are likely a fit if:

• You are a "bilingual" researcher. You can build and run the technology, and you also read the data through a biological and physiological lens.
• You are a builder. You have set up, integrated or automated an instrument, assay or protocol. You can take a method from a paper to a working lab protocol with little supervision.
• You are data-driven. You handle complex, high-dimensional datasets (imaging, flow, omics) and use quantitative, statistical or computational methods to support your conclusions.
• You think in terms of community. You want your work to help other people make discoveries, and you communicate well with biologists, engineers and clinicians.
• You seek autonomy. You want a launchpad for your own research identity within a large, collaborative university.

A strong plus: hands-on EV work (SEC, TFF, NTA, nano-flow, TEM/cryo-EM), microfluidics or liquid biopsy, single-particle or label-free analysis, Python or R and machine learning, shared core facility experience, or a record of fellowship funding.

Modes of Work

Positions that are eligible for hybrid or mobile/remote work mode are at the discretion of the hiring department. Work agreements are reviewed annually at a minimum and are subject to change at any time, and for any reason, throughout the course of employment. Learn more about the work modes.

Work Locations

This position is located at 2800 Plymouth Rd. Ann Arbor, MI 48109

Additional Information

We are committed to maintaining a safe and healthy work environment for everyone. As part of the onboarding process, all candidates are required to submit their immunization records to Occupational Health Services (OHS) prior to their appointment start date to verify their immunization status. The process includes completing a two-step TB test for all new hires and providing proof of Hepatitis B immunization for clinic-facing roles. Additional immunizations may be necessary based on public health guidance or specific job responsibilities.

Background Screening

The University of Michigan conducts background checks on all job candidates upon acceptance of a contingent offer and may use a third party administrator to conduct background checks. Background checks will be performed in compliance with the Fair Credit Reporting Act.

Application Deadline

Job openings are posted for a minimum of seven calendar days. This job may be removed from posting boards and filled anytime after the minimum posting period has ended.

U-M EEO Statement

The University of Michigan is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to providing an environment of mutual respect where equal employment opportunities are available to all applicants, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.