Scientist, Tissue Engineering

About Us

We are the first publicly-traded biotech or pharmaceutical company to take the form of a public benefit corporation. Our public benefit purpose is to provide a brighter future for patients through the development of novel pharmaceutical therapies and technologies that expand the availability of transplantable organs. United Therapeutics (Nasdaq: UTHR) seeks to develop treatments for rare, deadly diseases. Founded in 1996 by a family seeking a cure for their daughter’s pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), we now have six FDA-approved therapies treating PAH, pulmonary hypertension associated with interstitial lung disease (PH-ILD), and neuroblastoma, a rare pediatric cancer. Our near-term pipeline focuses on additional therapies for PAH and pulmonary fibrosis (PF).

The cure for end-stage life-threatening diseases like PAH, PH-ILD, PF, and others is an organ transplant, but only a small percentage of donated organs are available. We are working to create manufactured organs to address the shortage of kidneys, hearts, lungs, and livers, aiming to eliminate the transplant waiting list and cure end-stage organ diseases.

About the Role

As a Scientist, Tissue Engineering, you'll venture into one of the most exciting frontiers in biotechnology: building functional, bioengineered human lung equivalents. You'll support pioneering research, navigate complex biological systems, and help transform ideas that once sounded like science fiction into realities that could save lives.

The Scientist, Tissue Engineering in the Organ Manufacturing Group (OMG) will contribute to advancing tissue engineering strategies to create living 3D-printed lung scaffolds in a multidisciplinary team environment. With guidance from lead scientists, you will design and execute experiments to generate multicellular lung scaffolds and develop analytical methods to assess their functionality.

Responsibilities

• Design and execute in vitro experiments using adult and iPSC-derived lung cells (endothelial and epithelial) to develop functional tissue on 3D-printed models.
• Develop and implement strategies and analytic assays to optimize culture systems, co-culture techniques, and large-scale bioreactors for pulmonary tissue engineering.
• Develop and implement analytical assays (immunocytochemistry, biochemical assays, metabolic readings, perfusate analysis, gene expression analysis) to evaluate tissue formation and maturation on 3D-printed models.
• Record experimental details and findings in electronic notebook entries, write project reports, and internally present research findings.
• Coordinate with supervisor for project directions, experimental planning, and to review results and progress.
• Contribute to IP, regulatory filings, and journal publications, if necessary.
• Maintain a high level of communication with internal cross-functional R&D teams, as well as external vendors and consultants.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Biology, Biomedical Sciences, Tissue Engineering, Bioengineering, or equivalent.
• 3+ years of prior research experience in pulmonary biology, endothelial biology, iPSC-derived lineages, tissue engineering, and/or culturing cells in novel contexts. Relevant experiences during graduate school will be considered.
• 2+ years of industry and/or postdoctoral training.
• Strong technical experience including imaging techniques (e.g., basic microscopy, confocal imaging, image analysis) and biological analytical assays (e.g., immunocytochemistry, gene expression analysis, ELISAs, flow cytometry, viability assays).
• Track record of success (publications, products, patents, grants, or fellowships) with at least one first-author publication in a related or comparable field.
• Experience in endothelial cell biology or vascular tissue engineering, with supporting experience or knowledge of pulmonary biology, epithelial cells, and/or stem cell-derived lineages.
• Understanding of tissue engineering concepts and current field.
• In-depth knowledge of endothelial cells and biology.
• Experience with cell-cell interactions, ECM production, or co-culture techniques.
• Ability to make appropriate recommendations for long-term project plans based on scientific data.
• Familiarity with cell-blood interactions, thrombogenic and inflammatory responses.
• Experience with imaging and microscopy.
• Experience with perfusate analytics, secretome characterization, cellular metabolism, gene expression profiling, and cell-cell signaling applicable to complex tissue culture systems.
• Experience or interest in large-scale bioreactors or perfusion culture systems.

Preferred Qualifications

• 2+ years of experience leading a project team with a track record of success (e.g., product, grants, and/or publications).
• Methods to evaluate endothelial cell health in vitro (tube formation angiogenesis assay).
• Proficiency with microfluidics, bioreactor, and/or other dynamic culture techniques.

Location

This position is located fully onsite in Manchester, NH.

Benefits

Eligible employees may participate in the Company’s comprehensive benefits suite of programs, including:

• Medical, dental, vision, and prescription coverage.
• Employee wellness resources.
• Savings plans (401k and ESPP).
• Paid time off and paid parental leave benefits.
• Disability benefits.

For additional information on Company benefits, visit https://www.unither.com/careers/benefits-and-amenities.