Postdoctoral Research Fellow

Position Number:

997966

Functional Title:

Postdoctoral Research Fellow

Position Type:

Post-docs

University Information:

Located in North Carolina’s third largest city, UNC Greensboro is among the most diverse, learner-centered public research universities in the state, with 18,000 students in eight colleges and schools pursuing more than 150 areas of undergraduate and over 200 areas of graduate study. UNCG continues to be recognized nationally for academic excellence, access, and affordability. UNCG is ranked No. 1 most affordable institution in North Carolina for net cost by the N.Y. Times and No. 1 in North Carolina for social mobility by The Wall Street Journal — helping first-generation and lower-income students find paths to prosperity. Designated an Innovation and Economic Prosperity University by the Association of Public and Land-grant Universities, UNCG is a community-engaged research institution with a portfolio of more than $67M in research and creative activity. The University’s 2,600 staff help create an annual economic impact for the Piedmont Triad region in excess of $1B.

Primary Purpose Of The Organizational Unit:

The mission of the Nanoscience department is to prepare students from a variety of disciplinary backgrounds to conduct basic and advanced research in Nanoscience in industrial, governmental or academic settings. Within this context, the Nanoscience Department provides a graduate level trans-disciplinary educational and discovery research experience in the nanosciences, sustainable nanosystems, innovation and community engaged outreach. It also works collaboratively with the Nanoengineering Department to achieve an integrated foundational research program in emerging high impact areas.

Scientists in this new and emerging field seek to comprehend, gather and organize knowledge of the nanoworld through careful observations and creative, visionary thinking. Nanoscience is a multidisciplinary field bringing together vast knowledge from mathematics and all the core sciences: physics, biology, chemistry, and from their derivatives such as material science, pharmacology, neurochemistry, ecology etc. Consequently, nanoscientists are scientists engaging in an organized activity of manipulation of materials at atomic, molecular and macromolecular scales that are versatile and fluent in mathematics and the core sciences with a particular world view based on the synergy of these core sciences and on their derived applications to the macro world. Nanoscience is a new way of thinking about old things.

Position Summary:

The Wu Lab at the Joint School of Nanoscience and Nanoengineering (JSNN), University of North Carolina Greensboro, is seeking a motivated postdoctoral researcher to join our interdisciplinary team.

Our lab integrates molecular and cellular biology, synthetic biology, biomedical engineering, and Microphysiological systems to study and modulate complex biological processes. Our work spans both fundamental mechanistic discovery and translational technology development. We investigate the molecular and cellular mechanisms that drive disease development and progression, including cancer, inflammation, and immune dysregulation, and leverage these insights to create innovative diagnostic and therapeutic platforms. The lab is supported by multiple federal and state-funded awards, including DoD CDMRP, NSF, USDA, NCInnovation, NC Biotech.

Our Research Directions Include, But Are Not Limited To:

• Engineering synthetic cell systems for precise cellular regulation.
• Using CRISPR/Cas technologies to identify disease drivers and new bioengineering targets.
• Developing nanoparticle-based drug delivery systems for targeted therapy.
• Building advanced microphysiological platforms, including organ-on-a-chip systems and organoid models.
  
  

We Are Looking For a Postdoctoral Researcher Who Will Play An Integral Role In Advancing The Lab’s Multidisciplinary Research Program. Key Responsibilities Include:

• Designing, performing, and analyzing experiments aligned with the lab’s research directions in nanomedicine, synthetic biology, biomedical engineering, and disease-mechanism studies.
• Preparing manuscripts, figures, and presentations, and contributing to grant proposals.
• Training and mentoring graduate and undergraduate students, including guidance in experimental design, troubleshooting, and scientific communication.
• Collaborating with lab members and external partners to support team-based scientific discovery.
• Helping maintain a productive, organized, and inclusive laboratory environment.
  
  

Minimum Qualifications:

• Ph.D. in Biology, Bioengineering, Biomedical Engineering, Immunology, Molecular/Cell Biology, Chemical Engineering, or a related field.
• Strong experimental skills in biological, biomedical, or bioengineering research.
• Demonstrated ability to design experiments, analyze data, and troubleshoot independently.
• Record of scientific productivity, evidenced by peer-reviewed publications.
• Experience in mouse models and animal studies.
• Commitment to mentoring and working effectively in a collaborative, multidisciplinary environment.
  
  

Preferred Qualifications:

• Bioinformatics, Microphysiological systems.
  
  

Recruitment Range:

$56,650 - $60,000

Org #-Department:

Nanoscience - 13202

Job Open Date:

02/03/2026

Open Until Filled:

No

FTE:

1.000

Type Of Appointment:

Time Limited

If Time-limited, Please Specify End Date For Appointment.:

One year appointment, with possibility of reappointment.

Number Of Months Per Year:

12

FLSA:

Exempt

Percentage Of Time:

50

Key Responsibility:

Research development and execution

Essential Tasks:

• Designing, performing, and optimizing experiments focusing on biomedical research topics.
• Analyzing data, interpreting findings, and integrating results across interdisciplinary platforms.
• Leading project planning, troubleshooting experimental challenges, and maintaining high-quality research documentation.
• Coordinating with collaborators and contributing to the advancement of multiple ongoing research aims.
  
  

Percentage Of Time:

30

Key Responsibility:

Scientific Writing: Reports, Manuscripts, and Grant Applications

Essential Tasks:

• Preparing manuscripts for peer-reviewed journals, including drafting text, figures, and supplemental materials.
• Writing technical reports and progress summaries for research projects.
• Contributing to grant proposal development through preliminary data preparation, method descriptions, and narrative writing.
  
  

Percentage Of Time:

10

Key Responsibility:

Student Education and Mentoring

Essential Tasks:

• Providing hands-on training to graduate and undergraduate students in lab techniques.
• Offering constructive feedback on student presentations, reports, and scientific communication.
• Supporting students during troubleshooting and fostering an inclusive, collaborative learning environment.
  
  

Key Responsibility:

Lab Management and Operational Support

Essential Tasks:

• Assisting with lab organization, equipment maintenance, reagent inventory, and protocol standardization.
• Ensuring compliance with safety, IACUC, and biosafety regulations.
• Helping coordinate shared resources, procurement, and laboratory workflow.
• Supporting smooth day-to-day operations and helping maintain a productive research environment.
  
  

Physical Effort:

Hand Movement-Repetitive Motions - f, Hand Movement-Grasping - o, Holding - o, Finger Dexterity - o, Vision-Skilled Trades - f, Reading - f, Writing - f, Eye-hand coordination - o, Vision-Color Distinction - o, Vision-Preparing/Analyzing figures - o, Vision-Visual inspection - o, Vision-Measuring/Assembling at distance close to eye - r, Hearing - f, Talking - o, Standing - o, Sitting - o, Walking - o, Lifting-0-30 lbs. - o, Lifting-30-60 lbs. - o, Lifting-60-90 lbs. - r, Lifting-90 plus lbs. - r, Pushing/Pulling - o, Climbing-Stairs - o