Research Assistant, General Surgery

Job Summary

Drs. Giuseppe Orlando and Amish Asthana are currently recruiting a Post-Doctoral Fellow/Research Assistant in the areas of biochemistry, cell and molecular biology, biotechnology, and bioengineering, to join a multidisciplinary team in a cutting edge program that marries the fields of 3D bioprinting and organs-on-a-chip with regenerative medicine. Our lab is located in The Wake Forest Institute for Regenerative Medicine (WFIRM), which is a world leader in the research and development of technologies and products in the fields of tissue engineering and regenerative medicine.

WFIRM is an interdisciplinary institute, with an open laboratory concept aimed towards fostering collaboration. The main research theme in the lab is to develop biomimetic systems/constructs of Pancreatic tissue and determine novel methods to enhance the vascularization and engraftment of these bio fabricated tissues post-transplantation.

Specific duties will include basic and advanced cell culture and expansion, chemical and physical characterization of biomaterials, assembly of 3D constructs using biofabrication and 3D bioprinting techniques, in vitro biological and functional tests for verification of tissue construct viability and function, collection and organization of data, and assisting in the preparation of reports and manuscripts. Engineering, and stem cell/islet biology experience is a plus, or biomaterials/materials and tissue engineering background a plus.

Education/Experience PhD or Master’s degree with four years' experience in a research or laboratory setting; or, an equivalent combination of education and experience.

• Obtains data in support of research-oriented activities by conducting physical, chemical, or biological tests, experiments, determinations, and observations.
• Designs, develops, and constructs specialized instruments, equipment and apparatus as required for performance of research activities.
• Assists in the development of new research procedures and techniques.
• Operates various electronic devices in the collection, tabulation, and calculation of data.
• Assists in training new personnel, conducts performance reviews on assigned lab employees, and creates work schedules.
• Assists with planning and presenting classroom instructions and lectures.
• Performs other related duties incidental to the work described herein.

Basic skills and qualifications
Cell culture, primary cell isolation and characterization, 3D culture methodology
Biochemistry, cell biology, biomaterials
Performance of chemical, biochemical and biological assays, microscopy

Relevant experience in one or more of the following categories is desirable.
Islet isolation and culture, organoid fabrication and characterization, disease modeling
Biochemistry, biomaterial chemistry, hydrogel development
Microfluidic development for biological applications
Chemical, biochemical and biological sampling, assay development

Strong computer skills
Strong communication skills
Public speaking experience
Ability to prepare grant proposals with minimal supervision
Peer reviewed publications, plus oral or poster presentations at national meetings

Advocate Health offers a comprehensive suite of Total Rewards: benefits and well-being programs, competitive compensation, generous retirement offerings, programs that invest in your career development and so much more – so you can live fully at and away from work, including:

• Base compensation listed within the listed pay range based on factors such as qualifications, skills, relevant experience, and/or training
• Premium pay such as shift, on call, and more based on a teammate's job
• Incentive pay for select positions
• Opportunity for annual increases based on performance

• Paid Time Off programs
• Health and welfare benefits such as medical, dental, vision, life, and Short- and Long-Term Disability
• Flexible Spending Accounts for eligible health care and dependent care expenses
• Family benefits such as adoption assistance and paid parental leave
• Defined contribution retirement plans with employer match and other financial wellness programs
• Educational Assistance Program

Advocate Health is the third-largest nonprofit, integrated health system in the United States, created from the combination of Advocate Aurora Health and Atrium Health. Providing care under the names Advocate Health Care in Illinois;
Atrium Health in the Carolinas, Georgia and Alabama; and Aurora Health Care in Wisconsin, Advocate Health is a national leader in clinical innovation, health outcomes, consumer experience and value-based care. Headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina, Advocate Health services nearly 6 million patients and is engaged in hundreds of clinical trials and research studies, with Wake Forest University School of Medicine serving as the academic core of the enterprise.

It is nationally recognized for its expertise in cardiology, neurosciences, oncology,…