Postdoctoral Associate - Bioengineering

The Hilton and Ghanta laboratories seek a highly motivated postdoctoral fellow to join a newly funded NIH translational research program focused on developing innovative genetic therapies for cardiovascular disease. This collaborative program combines the Hilton Laboratory's expertise in CRISPR-based gene regulation, synthetic biology, and therapeutic delivery with the Ghanta Laboratory's expertise in cardiovascular biology, cardiac surgery, therapeutic delivery and preclinical models of heart disease. The successful candidate will help advance promising genetic technologies from molecular development through in vivo validation and toward clinical and commercial translation.

The postdoctoral associate will be appointed at Rice University and co-advised by Dr. Isaac Hilton and Dr. Ravi Ghanta. The position will involve substantial engagement with both laboratories and close collaboration with Dr. Mario Escobar and other investigators at Rice University and Baylor College of Medicine. Candidates with expertise in mitochondrial biology and in vivo experience with small and large animal models are preferred. Interest in commercialization and entrepreneurship is also prioritized for this role.

For more information about the Hilton Lab's research, please visit: https://hiltonlab.rice.edu/research/

Minimum Requirements

• Applicants must have a PhD or equivalent doctoral degree in bioengineering, biomedical engineering, molecular or cellular biology, physiology, cardiovascular science, gene therapy, synthetic biology, pharmaceutical science, or a related field.
• No additional experience beyond graduate research is required.

Preferred Qualifications

• Hands-on experience with mammalian in vivo research, mitochondrial biology, disease models, or preclinical therapeutic development.
• Experience with cardiovascular disease models, cardiac physiology, or animal surgery.
• Experience with small- and/or large-animal research models.
• Experience with CRISPR or other gene-editing or gene-regulation technologies.
• Experience with viral or nonviral therapeutic delivery systems.
• Experience with preclinical efficacy, biodistribution, or safety studies.
• Interest in translational research, intellectual property development, commercialization, or biotechnology entrepreneurship.
• Demonstrated interest in working across interdisciplinary research teams and translating fundamental research toward clinical applications.

Essential Functions

• Leads the development and preclinical evaluation of CRISPR-based therapeutic technologies for cardiovascular disease.
• Designs, executes, analyzes, and troubleshoots molecular, cellular, and in vivo research studies.
• Evaluates therapeutic efficacy, delivery, biodistribution, and safety using complementary molecular and functional assays.
• Coordinates experiments, research activities, and data integration across collaborating research teams at Rice University and Baylor College of Medicine.
• Independently analyzes and interprets research data and communicates findings to faculty, collaborators, and other project stakeholders.
• Contributes to research project planning, milestone tracking, and the advancement of project objectives.
• Prepares and contributes to manuscripts, presentations, technical reports, patents, and future grant proposals.
• Mentors junior researchers and contributes to a collaborative, interdisciplinary research environment.
• Participates, according to project needs and interest, in intellectual property development, commercialization planning, and related translational activities.

Pay

$64,000 annually, with the potential for a higher starting salary based on relevant postdoctoral experience and in accordance with applicable NIH stipend guidance.

Schedule

This position is a full-time, term limited position funded by grant, soft and/or restricted funds. Continued employment is contingent on the continued availability of funding, ongoing research needs, and satisfactory performance.

Anticipated start date: Fall 2026.

Workplace Requirements

On campus position: This position is exclusively on-site, necessitating all duties to be performed in person at Rice University. Per Rice Policy 440, work arrangements may be subject to change.

Benefits

Rice University HR | Benefits: https://knowledgecafe.rice.edu/benefits