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Position Summary 

The McHugh Lab in the Departments of Bioengineering and Chemistry at Rice University (Houston, TX) seeks to hire a postdoctoral associate working in the area of chemistry to develop novel materials for controlled vaccine delivery. At a high level, the McHugh Lab is focused on the development of translational drug delivery platforms with the potential to address a variety of conditions ranging from prophylaxis for infectious diseases to cancer therapies. These bespoke delivery systems often leverage a combination of material properties and advanced manufacturing techniques and engage the immune system to fight disease. 

The postdoctoral fellow selected for this position will co-lead an interdisciplinary project funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation that aims to employ a controlled-release vaccine delivery platform to create combination vaccines with otherwise incompatible vaccines. Specifically, we aim to encapsulate a next-generation polio vaccine inside particles fabricated using the Particles Uniformly Liquified and Sealed to Encapsulate Drug (PULSED) platform, to offset the timing of release from a co-delivered soluble vaccine to prevent immunological interference. The responsibilities of the postdoctoral fellow selected for this position will include synthesizing and characterizing biodegradable polymers, fabricating polymeric microdevices, and assessing the stability and release of encapsulated vaccines. Additionally, this postdoc will be responsible for directing the work of a research technician working on the project and collaborating with a postdoc specializing in immunology.

The ideal candidate will be creative, highly motivated, and have experience in chemistry, materials, drug delivery, and/or polymer science. The candidate should also have strong written and oral communication skills, as evidenced by previous publications and presentations. As a senior member of the lab, the candidate will also be expected to spend a small portion of their time supporting and training junior lab members and will also assist in the preparation of research proposals. In turn, the candidate will receive one-on-one mentorship from the PI, support for their postdoctoral fellowship applications, and (if desired) job applications for faculty positions in academia.

This position is a one-year term-limited position funded by a grant with the expectation of renewal beyond the initial appointment period with satisfactory performance. Funding for this project has been secured through August 2027, and funds to support continued employment beyond that date will likely be available. This position is available immediately; however, the start date is flexible and could be delayed until late Spring 2025 based on the needs of the applicant. 

Due to its location at the boundary between Rice University and the Texas Medical Center—the largest medical center in the world—the lab is uniquely positioned to advance its technologies towards the clinic with active collaborations with clinician-scientists at MD Anderson Cancer Center, the Baylor College of Medicine, Houston Methodist, and Texas Heart Institute. 

Hiring range - Minimum salary $61,800

Requirements

Ph.D. or other doctoral degree in chemistry, biomedical engineering, bioengineering, materials science, chemical engineering, or related fields No experience required

Skills required

Familiarity with Polymer synthesis Knowledge of analytical techniques Familiarity with experimental design Familiarity with literature review Strong written and oral communication skills, including experience preparing and submitting manuscripts Ability to work both independently and collaboratively

Preferences

Experience mentoring early-career trainees Familiarity with micro/nanofabrication or 3D printing Experience working with animals Passion for translational research

Essential Functions

Engineering delivery technologies by manipulating polymer properties and/or microstructure Designing and performing experiments and collecting and analyzing data Publishing papers and presenting findings at national and international conferences  Mentoring junior research team members, including graduate and undergraduate students Assisting with proposal development to obtain research funding Supporting project management reporting, and collaboration across disciplines Performing all other duties as assigned

 

Rice University HR | Benefits 

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Rice Mission and Values

Mission and Values | Rice University

Rice University is an Equal Opportunity Employer with commitment to diversity at all levels and considers for employment qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, genetic information, disability or protected veteran status.