To be considered, please submit a 1-page cover letter concisely outlining your research interests and experience, in addition to your specific interest in this position; also attach a full CV and provide three professional references.

The Michigan Medicine Department of Orthopaedic Surgery provides outstanding, state-of-the-art, evidence-based care for musculoskeletal injuries and conditions. As well, our faculty, staff, and trainees conduct a diverse range of musculoskeletal research and scholarship. The department?s research program integral to its mission and vision of leading advances in musculoskeletal health, through excellence and innovative care, scientific discovery, and dedicated teaching.

Research in the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery (ORL) is conducted by a diverse group of faculty, staff and trainees with expertise in biology, engineering, epidemiology, health outcomes and healthcare. The collaborative research programs are focused on improving treatment or preventing musculoskeletal disorders and disease. Primary basic science research operations are located at the Biomedical Science Research Building, with additional clinical research sites. ORL website: https://orl.med.umich.edu/

The Lang Laboratory is assembling an interdisciplinary team dedicated to uncovering new insights into musculoskeletal tissue oxygenation and exploring the role of erythrocyte function and development in musculoskeletal health, injury, and disease. Our goal is to regenerate bone, restore cartilage, and advance biomaterials. Lab website: https://lang.lab.medicine.umich.edu/

To achieve this, we are seeking an enthusiastic and highly motivated Postdoctoral Research Fellow. The successful candidate will conduct groundbreaking research within a collaborative and innovative environment, contributing to the development of programmable biomaterials, establishing methods to assess oxygen levels in musculoskeletal tissue, and gaining insights into erythroid progenitors both in vitro and in vivo. Additionally, the candidate will facilitate collaborative projects with the Department of Biomedical Engineering and actively engage with the Regenerative Medicine community.

• Facilitate research to develop programmable biomaterials that instruct cell fates and local oxygen microenvironments for bone fracture repair.
• Establish a pipeline for oxygen measurements in vitro and in vivo.
• Develop primary cell cultures and differentiation assays from patient and mouse models under various environmental conditions (e.g., hypoxia chamber) to test biomaterials.
• Perform single-cell analysis using flow cytometry, cell sorting, and RNA sequencing to characterize different cell populations and differentiation stages.
• Conduct experiments using molecular and cellular biology techniques, including but not limited to RNA extraction, PCR, and ELISA.
• Perform in vivo studies using mouse femoral fracture models, including tissue and cell harvesting, blood sample analysis, histology, and immunofluorescence staining.
• Collect and analyze data, accurately document experiments and findings, prepare standard protocols, and design additional experiments.
• Actively participate in lab meetings and collaborate with other research team members.
• Write manuscripts and assist in grant writing.
• Assist in maintaining laboratory equipment.

• PhD in bioengineering, biomaterials development, chemical engineering, cell and molecular biology, or a related discipline (preferred).
• Experience in developing, testing, or characterizing biomaterials.
• Basic experience with animal models, preferably mice.
• Laboratory experience in a relevant field (e.g., cell culture, molecular biology/biochemistry, or flow cytometry).
• Familiarity with the operation and performance of basic lab equipment, with a willingness to learn new techniques as needed for project progress.
• Proficiency in word processing, spreadsheet, and statistical software (e.g., Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint; Google Docs, Sheets; GraphPad, R).
• Strong team spirit, with a willingness to support other lab members and work independently.
• Competent verbal and written communication skills.
• Excellent organizational skills, a methodical and systematic work approach, and diligent note-taking abilities.
• Ability to adhere to laboratory safety protocols and procedures.

• Experience in immunology or hematology research labs, or a strong background in the musculoskeletal field.
• Experience with bone-related outcome measurements, such as microCT and histomorphometry.
• Experience in scRNA-seq analysis, R coding, or spatial transcriptomics.
• Experience analyzing blood and bone marrow samples, as well as maintaining primary cell cultures of erythroid progenitor cells and conducting related differentiation assays.

Michigan Medicine conducts background screening and pre-employment drug testing on job candidates upon acceptance of a contingent job offer and may use a third party administrator to conduct background screenings.  Background screenings are performed in compliance with the Fair Credit Report Act. Pre-employment drug testing applies to all selected candidates, including new or additional faculty and staff appointments, as well as transfers from other U-M campuses.

Michigan Medicine improves the health of patients, populations and communities through excellence in education, patient care, community service, research and technology development, and through leadership activities in Michigan, nationally and internationally.  Our mission is guided by our Strategic Principles and has three critical components; patient care, education and research that together enhance our contribution to society.

Job openings are posted for a minimum of seven calendar days.  The review and selection process may begin as early as the eighth day after posting. This opening may be removed from posting boards and filled anytime after the minimum posting period has ended.

The University of Michigan is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer.

About University of Michigan - Ann Arbor

A great university is made so by its faculty and staff, and Michigan is recognized as one of the best universities to work for in the country. The Michigan culture is known for engaging faculty and staff in all facets of the university to create a workplace that is vibrant and stimulating.For two consecutive years, the Chronicle of Higher Education has placed U-M in its "Great Colleges to Work For" survey. In particular, the university earns high marks for strong relations between faculty and administrators, a collaborative system of governance, strong pay and benefits, and a healthy work/life balance.

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