Research Associate (1-year Term)

Department: RENU - SQI Regenerative Engineering

Salary/Grade: RES

Target hiring range: $90,000–$100,000 per year, determined by education, experience, knowledge, skills, abilities, internal equity, and market data.

About the role

The Querrey Simpson Institute for Regenerative Engineering (QSI RENU) is a new Institute for engineering in medicine and healthcare innovation established to foster, develop, and disseminate engineering-driven technology innovations that restore tissue and organ function to improve patient care and quality of life. The mission integrates talents from Northwestern University’s McCormick School of Engineering and Feinberg School of Medicine to create a convergence research, education, and innovation ecosystem.

This 1-year term Research Associate position reports to QSI RENU’s Director and serves as Facility Director for CARE (Center for Advanced Regenerative Engineering) and Ameer’s Lab. Renewal is based on performance and available funding. The role supports interdisciplinary research by matching diverse technologies and techniques to specialized scientific projects.

Responsibilities

• Design and conduct in vitro, ex vivo, and in vivo experiments.
• Manage multiple in-house studies (3–4 concurrently).
• Ensure assigned SOPs are current and accurately reflected in executed studies/projects.
• Analyze data and generate reports.
• Write and submit grant proposals for internal and external funding.
• Perform small animal handling, including euthanasia, organ harvesting, and systemic drug administration (IV, SC, PO, IP injections).
• Maintain aseptic techniques and tissue culture facility.
• Use software (e.g., Excel, GraphPad Prism) to analyze research results.
• Lead project teams and present data.
• Perform other assigned duties.

Requirements

• PhD, MD, or equivalent terminal degree in biomedical engineering, materials science, chemistry, or related biomedical sciences.
• Minimum 4 years of post-terminal degree lab/bench experience with a publication record.
• Proficient in small animal handling, mammalian cell culture, and aseptic techniques.
• Experience with polymer synthesis, surface chemical functionalization, and micropatterning of surfaces.
• Familiarity with assays involving cell-material interactions and preclinical models.
• Proficiency in data analysis software (e.g., Excel, GraphPad Prism).
• Strong project leadership and data presentation skills.

Benefits

• Health, dental, vision, disability, and life insurance.
• Paid vacation, holidays, medical/sick leave, and parental leave.
• Tuition benefits for employee and dependents.
• Pre-tax and flex spending accounts for commuting and dependent care.
• Retirement savings options.
• Wellness programs.
• Support for childcare and senior/adult care.
• Professional growth and development resources.