ASST RES SCIENTIST

About the Role

The Shea Lab in the Department of Biomedical Engineering at the University of Michigan seeks an Assistant Research Scientist to provide technical leadership for the laboratory's implantable biosensor program. The project is an emerging research area developing continuous, in vivo fluorescence-based sensors for real-time molecular monitoring. The position requires an investigator capable of carrying the sensing platform across its full technical span, including synthesis and photophysical characterization of fluorescent recognition chemistry, design of optical and wireless hardware and its embedded firmware, integration into implantable biomaterial constructs, and validation of the devices in rodent models. The platform's continued development is directly dependent on integration of multidisciplinary capability, which is not divisible across conventional chemistry, electrical engineering, or animal-model roles. Working under the general direction of the Principal Investigator, the Assistant Research Scientist will have primary technical responsibility for the sensing program, design and execute complex experimental studies, resolve development challenges spanning molecular design through in vivo performance, mentor graduate students and junior laboratory personnel, contribute to grant development, and publish findings in peer-reviewed journals.

Responsibilities

• Provide technical and scientific leadership for the laboratory's implantable biosensor program, defining direction and experimental strategy, and mentoring graduate students in sensor development, device fabrication, and in vivo experimental methods.
• Design and synthesize the fluorescent recognition chemistry underlying sensor function, including organic synthesis and purification of small-molecule probes, polymer synthesis and functionalization, and photophysical characterization by fluorescence and absorbance spectroscopy.
• Develop implantable sensor electronics, including schematics and PCB layout in EDA software, analog front-end selection and implementation, wireless telemetry, power management and low-power design, and translation of breadboard prototypes to compact implantable form factors. Perform PCB assembly, rework, and benchtop validation of assembled devices.
• Develop the embedded firmware, including wireless communication protocol development, sleep state and duty-cycle scheduling for low-power operation, on-device sampling sequencing, custom I2C device drivers, RTOS-based application code, and receiver-side firmware for data capture and real-time signal conditioning.
• Develop calibration and compensation protocols, interpret photophysical data, and apply response surface modeling and appropriate statistical methods to characterize and validate sensor performance.
• Fabricate, program, and operate the sensor devices used in the laboratory's in vivo studies, and maintain the fabrication, programming, and calibration procedures on which those devices depend.
• Write and maintain IACUC protocols, perform implant, explant, and other survival surgical procedures, and design and execute in vivo validation studies in various rodent disease models, including but not limited to cancer, spinal cord injury, experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis, transplant rejection, endotoxemia, and type 1 diabetes, maintaining compliance with institutional, federal, and laboratory safety regulations.
• Prepare manuscripts for publication in peer-reviewed journals, generate intellectual property for invention disclosures and patent applications, contribute to grant applications and progress reports, and foster collaborations with investigators in biomedical engineering, electrical engineering, and research groups at other institutions.

Required Qualifications

• Ph.D. in Biomedical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, or a closely related field.
• Demonstrated expertise in fluorescent probe design, synthesis, and photophysical characterization.
• Demonstrated expertise in mixed-signal PCB design and layout for miniaturized, low-power devices, including analog front-end implementation and PCB assembly, rework, and benchtop validation.
• Demonstrated expertise in embedded firmware development, including Bluetooth Low Energy communication, RTOS-based applications, custom peripheral drivers, and duty-cycle scheduling for low-power operation.
• Hands-on experience with rodent survival surgery, including device implantation and explanation, and authorship of IACUC protocols.
• Demonstrated experience integrating chemistry, electronics, and in vivo biology within a single research program.
• Strong record of peer-reviewed publications.
• Track record of invention disclosures or patent applications.
• Experience preparing grant applications and progress reports.
• Experience designing and leading complex research projects.
• Demonstrated history of mentorship and collaboration within multidisciplinary research teams.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

Desired Qualifications

• Scientific creativity and innovation.
• Independent problem-solving and critical thinking.
• Strong organizational and project management skills.
• Ability to manage multiple concurrent research projects.
• Commitment to scientific rigor, reproducibility, and collaborative research.
• Ability to work effectively across disciplinary boundaries and technical domains.

Benefits

• Generous time off
• A retirement plan that provides two-for-one matching contributions with immediate vesting
• Many choices for comprehensive health insurance
• Life insurance
• Long-term disability coverage
• Flexible spending accounts for healthcare and dependent care expenses
• Maternity and Parental Leave

Positions that are eligible for hybrid or mobile/remote work mode are at the discretion of the hiring department. Work agreements are reviewed annually at a minimum and are subject to change at any time, and for any reason, throughout the course of employment.

A cover letter is required for consideration for this position and should be attached as the first page of your resume. The cover letter should address your specific interest in the position and outline skills and experience that directly relate to this position.