1 Group Leader 2 Postdoctoral Researchers 2 Research Assistants

Call for Application #2023-RDG-C01 [Ridgefield] New Team: Next-Generation Clinically Relevant Models of Fibrosis and Wound Healing

Call for Application #2023-RDG-C01 closed since July 5, 2023

Next-Generation Clinically Relevant Models of Fibrosis and Wound Healing

Call closed!

1 Group Leader 2 Postdoctoral Researchers 2 Research Assistants

What we are looking for

The BioMed X Institute is establishing a new, fully funded research group at its new XSeed Labs incubator on the research campus of Boehringer Ingelheim in Ridgefield, Connecticut, USA, in the following field:

Next-Generation Clinically Relevant Models of Fibrosis and Wound Healing

If you hold a PhD or masters degree with an outstanding track record or strong interest in this field and are interested in leading and collaborating in a cross-functional team composed of, but not limited to, bioengineers, molecular biologists, specialists in molecular and transport modeling, data and computer scientists, we invite you to apply with a project proposal for a position in our new research group (1 group leader, 2 postdoctoral researchers, 2 research assistants).

Each BioMed X project team is sponsored by an industry partner. The sponsor of this call for application is Boehringer Ingelheim .

Chronic fibroinflammatory diseases (NASH, PF-ILDs, scleroderma, Crohns disease, and others) are characterized by aberrant tissue repair and are driven in part by pathological matrix production, macrophage and fibroblast activation, and metabolic reprogramming. Similar processes impact the solid tumor microenvironment contributing to tumorigenesis, immune suppression, and drug resistance.

In close collaboration with our pharma partner Boehringer Ingelheim, the task of the new research group is to develop new physiologically relevant fibrotic disease models that can help us better understand pathological fibrosis as compared to normal wound healing processes. This will increase the chances of developing effective therapies that can maximally reduce fibrosis progression without interfering with the natural wound healing processes.

Project proposals should focus on the following key challenges:

Elaborate on new single-cell expression datasets as well as other sources to inform the design and engineering of improved in vitro and in vivo models at various pathological stages relevant to the human wound healing process;

Develop relevant in vitro models that integrate key microenvironmental features that closely recapitulate physiological tissue and the associated challenges to therapeutic delivery;

Develop an in silico model to quantitatively predict critical microenvironmental parameters that may hinder or benefit efficacious distribution and delivery to the fibrotic microenvironment;

Assess the delivery of key therapeutic molecules to validate and predict the inclusion of key microenvironmental features in the in vitro and in silico models.

Original ideas reaching far beyond the current state-of-the-art are particularly encouraged.

Group leader positions are intended to suit candidates with a PhD (or equivalent) in bioengineering, immunology, or in a related area who would like to develop themselves towards a leadership career path either in academia or industry and typically have between four and eight years of relevant postdoctoral research experience. Candidates for postdoctoral positions are expected to have completed a PhD or equivalent within the last four years and a certain degree of specialization in one or more relevant cutting-edge technologies.