Post-Doctoral Scholar in Osteoarthritis Research

The Opportunity

The Kean Cell and Tissue Engineering Lab is seeking a highly motivated and skilled Postdoctoral Scholar to join our cutting-edge research team. We are focused on developing disease-modifying therapies for osteoarthritis (OA) with an emphasis on innovative drug discovery, delivery systems and cartilage repair strategies. This position is funded by two NIH R21 grants aimed at investigating novel approaches to tackle OA through bioengineering solutions.

Key Responsibilities:

• Conduct research on targeted drug delivery systems for OA therapeutics, focusing on in vivo phage display for joint-targeting peptides.
• Screen FDA-approved drugs for their ability to stimulate lubricin expression in human cartilage and mouse models of post-traumatic osteoarthritis.
• Use advanced imaging techniques (e.g., fluorescence and magnetic particle imaging) to track drug delivery systems in preclinical models.
• Collaborate with a multidisciplinary team of engineers, biologists, and clinicians to translate research findings into potential therapeutic strategies.
• Prepare manuscripts, present research at scientific meetings, and contribute to grant writing.
• Provide mentorship to students/trainees in the research group

What We Offer:

• 
  Work-Life Balance: We value a balanced lifestyle, offering flexible work hours and a supportive, collaborative lab environment. Enjoy the benefits of working in a top-tier academic setting while maintaining a healthy balance between your professional and personal life.
• 
  Thriving Research Community: Located in the Medical City of Lake Nona, a hub for medical innovation, you'll have access to cutting-edge research facilities, including the UCF College of Medicine, fostering a dynamic interdisciplinary network.
• 
  Vibrant Orlando Environment: Orlando offers a high quality of life with a warm climate, and proximity to world-class attractions. You'll be part of a rapidly growing biotech community within the Orlando area.
• 
  Academic Excellence: UCF is one of the largest universities in the U.S. with a vibrant and diverse undergraduate population, providing opportunities for mentoring and collaboration in a research-driven academic setting.

Minimum Qualifications:

• PhD in Biomedical Engineering, Cell and Molecular Biology, Pharmacology, or related field.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience with nanoparticle drug delivery systems, tissue engineering, or musculoskeletal research.
• Strong expertise in cell culture, 3D models, and animal studies (e.g., murine models of osteoarthritis).
• Familiarity with high-throughput cell based drug screening and molecular biology techniques (e.g., ELISA, histology).
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills. Established track record of peer-reviewed publication.

Additional Application Materials Required:

UCF requires all applications and supporting documents be submitted electronically through the Human Resources employment opportunities website, https://www.ucf.edu/jobs/. In addition to the online application, interested candidates must upload: a cover letter; a current curriculum vitae; and a list with contact information for three (3) professional references.

NOTE: Please have all documents ready when applying so they can be simultaneously uploaded. Once the online submission process is finalized, the system does not allow applicants to submit additional documents later. Incomplete applications with missing documents cannot be considered.

The selected candidate will be required to submit official transcripts (and, as applicable, U.S. degree equivalency evaluations) documenting the conferral of their qualifying academic credentials.

Questions regarding this search may be directed to Brittany Hofmann, HR Business Partner, at Brittany.hofmann@ucf.edu.

Special Instructions to the Applicants:

N/A

Job Close Date:

Open until filled.

Note to applicants: Please keep in mind that a job posted as 'Open until filled' may close at any time without notice. As such, we encourage you to submit your application and all required documentation as quickly as possible to ensure consideration for the posted position.

Are you ready to unleash YOUR potential?

As a next-generation public research university and Forbes-ranked top employer in Florida, we are a community of thinkers, doers, creators, innovators, healers, and leaders striving to create broader prosperity and help shape a better future. No matter what your role is, when you join Knight Nation, you'll play an integral role at one of the most impactful universities in the country. You'll be met with opportunities to connect and collaborate with talented faculty, staff, and students across 13 colleges and multiple campuses, engaging in impactful work that makes a positive difference. Your time at UCF will provide you with many meaningful opportunities to grow, you'll work alongside talented colleagues on complex projects that will challenge you and help you gain new skills and you'll have countless rewarding experiences that go well beyond a paycheck.

Working at UCF has its perks!UCF offers:

• Benefit packages, including Medical, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance, Flexible Spending, and Employee Assistance Program.
• Paid time off, including annual (12-month faculty) and sick time off and paid holidays.
• Retirement savings options.
• Employee discounts, including tickets to many Orlando attractions.
• Education assistance.
• Flexible work environment.
• And more...For more benefits information, view the UCF Employee Benefits Guide click here.

Unless explicitly stated on the job posting, it is UCF's expectation that an employee of UCF will reside in Florida as of the date the employment begins.

Additional Requirements related to Research Positions:

Pursuant to Florida State Statute 1010.35, prior to offering employment to certain individuals in research-related positions, UCF is required to conduct additional screening. Applicants subject to additional screening include any citizen of a foreign country who is not a permanent resident of the U.S., or who is a citizen or permanent resident but is affiliated with or has had at least 1 year of education, employment, or training in China, Cuba, Iran, Russia, North Korea, Syria, or Venezuela.

The additional screening requirements only apply to research-related positions, including, but not limited to faculty, graduate positions, individuals compensated by research grants or contract funds, post-doctoral positions, undergraduate positions, visiting assistant professors, and visiting research associates.

Department

Work Schedule

Type of Appointment

Expected Salary

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement:

The University of Central Florida is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

As a Florida public university, UCF makes all application materials and selection procedures available to the public upon request.

The University of Central Florida is proud to be a smoke-free campus and an E-Verify employer."

To request an accommodation with the application or interview process, please contact the Office of Institutional Equity by telephone: 407-823-1336; emailoie@ucf.edu; or visit in person: 12701 Scholarship Drive, Orlando, FL 32816-0030.