Postdoctoral Research Associate

Position Overview: 

The Gong Lab at the University of Wisconsin-Madison is seeking a highly motivated and creative Postdoctoral Research Associate to spearhead the research and development of next-generation nanomedicines. This position focuses on the rational design, synthesis, and characterization of novel delivery systems. The successful candidate will work on cutting-edge projects involving the delivery of payloads including mRNA, siRNA, pDNA, and CRISPR-Cas ribonucleoproteins (RNPs), and/or small molecular drugs, for therapeutic applications.

Our primary research thrusts are centered on tackling major challenges in brain delivery, immunotherapy, and the treatment of retinal, vascular, infectious, or other diseases. The candidate will lead projects aimed at engineering non-viral vectors capable of overcoming critical biological barriers (e.g., the blood-brain barrier, retinal barriers) to achieve targeted, organ/cell-specific delivery and therapeutic effects. This is a highly interdisciplinary role with extensive collaboration opportunities with leading experts at the UW-Madison School of Medicine and Public Health. The lab is housed in the state-of-the-art Wisconsin Institute for Discovery, providing access to world-class facilities and equipment.

Key Responsibilities:

• Formulate and optimize nanoparticle platforms using techniques such as microfluidics, extrusion, and self-assembly. Perform comprehensive characterization of nanoparticles (e.g., DLS, NTA, HPLC, UV-Vis).
• Design and execute in vitro studies in cultured cells (e.g., cell lines, iPSC-derived cells, primary cells) and analyze the results by flow cytometry, ELISA, NGS, WB, and other biological assays.
• Design and execute in vivo safety, efficacy, and biodistribution studies in mouse models and analyze the results by histological studies.
• Analyze complex datasets, present findings at national/international conferences, and publish high-impact manuscripts.
• Contribute to grant writing and mentor junior researchers in the lab.

Required Qualifications and Preferred Experience:

• A Ph.D. in relevant disciplines such as Biomedical Engineering, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Materials Science, Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, Immunology, Biology, or a related field.
• A strong track record of impactful first-author publications in peer-reviewed journals.
• Demonstrated experience with leading and designing projects, teamwork, and communication skills.
• Strong background in organic/polymer chemistry, bioconjugation techniques, analytical methods, and/or cell and animal studies and biological assays.

The ideal candidate will also have hands-on experience in several of the following areas:

• Experience working with RNA (mRNA, siRNA) and CRISPR systems.
• Proficiency with nanoparticle fabrication.
• Expertise with techniques like organic and polymer synthesis, DLS, NTA, HPLC, LC-MS, and fluorescence-based assays.
• Mammalian cell culture, transfection, flow cytometry, confocal microscopy, and qPCR/ELISA, immunostaining, PCR, WB, NGS.
• Experience with animal handling, animal model establishment, systemic (IV, IP, SC, oral) or local (subretinal, intracranial, intrathecal) administration, and tissue harvesting and processing for preclinical studies.
• Direct experience in brain delivery (e.g., BBB-crossing strategies), immunotherapy (e.g., cancer vaccines, immunomodulation), and/or ocular drug/gene delivery is highly desirable.
• How to Apply: Candidates are requested to submit a curriculum vitae, a brief cover letter outlining their research experience and interests, and contact information for three references via email to: sgong@engr.wisc.edu

Research Group Website: https://www.ophth.wisc.edu/gong-lab/

Contact Name: Shaoqin Gong

Contact Email: sgong@engr.wisc.edu