Job Details

Postdoctoral Researcher, Translational Human Reproductive Biology

Position Number: 9785931
Location: Philadelphia, United States
Position Type: Medicine - Medical Researcher

Postdoctoral Researcher, Translational Human Reproductive Biology

Location: University of Pennsylvania - Perelman School of Medicine
Open Date: Aug 24, 2026
Deadline:

Faculty Mentor: Kathleen O'Neill MD MSTR Department: OBGYN Research Funding Source Type: PI Grant Number of Positions: 1 Candidates requiring visa sponsorship are welcome to apply.

The O'Neill Lab in the Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine seeks a Postdoctoral Researcher to join a translational research program focused on the female reproductive tract. Our overarching goal is to understand the cellular and molecular basis of implantation, endometrial regeneration, and gynecologic disease, and to translate those discoveries into new therapies for infertility and other disorders of women's health.

The lab works almost exclusively in human systems. Ongoing projects include: molecular mapping of the healthy female reproductive tract as a Tissue Mapping Center within the NIH HuBMAP Consortium, using single-cell and spatial approaches (10x Multiome, Visium) and multiplexed imaging (CODEX); development of lipid nanoparticle and mRNA therapeutics for reproductive disorders in collaboration with the Penn Institute for RNA Innovation, including a vaginally administered mRNA-LNP therapeutic to reduce heavy menstrual bleeding as part of the Wellcome Leap "The Missed Vital Sign" program, which seeks precise, non-hormonal treatments that can be self-administered without surgery or suppression of the menstrual cycle; mapping the surface proteome of endometrial cell populations; and studies of endometrial regeneration and pregnancy immunology in recipients of the Penn UNTIL uterus transplant trial. In vitro human models, including patient-derived endometrial organoids, are central to this work.

The Postdoctoral Researcher will take primary intellectual and technical ownership of a project within these areas, with the expectation of shaping its direction over time and building toward an independent research program. This is a highly collaborative environment: the lab includes a research assistant, rotating REI fellows, OB/GYN residents, graduate and medical students, and undergraduates, and works closely with clinical teams, engineering and RNA biology groups at Penn, and external scientific collaborators. We place real value on a positive, generous lab culture and on training that is responsive to each person's goals. The successful candidate will be someone who takes initiative, is comfortable troubleshooting and optimizing protocols independently, reaches out across institutions to learn a technique or start a collaboration, and contributes to the scientific and social health of the group.

Responsibilities

Design, execute, and independently troubleshoot experiments using primary human reproductive tract tissue and patient-derived organoid models.

Maintain and expand primary and organoid culture systems, including derivation, passaging, differentiation, treatment experiments, and quality control.

Perform core molecular assays, including RNA and DNA extraction, RT-qPCR, protein assays, and sample preparation for bulk, single-cell, and spatial transcriptomics.

Perform and optimize tissue-based imaging, including IHC and immunofluorescence on FFPE and frozen human tissue, and multiplexed or multicyclic imaging platforms such as CODEX.

Analyze, quantify, and interpret imaging and sequencing data; work with computational collaborators to move analyses forward and to interrogate published and consortium datasets.

Maintain rigorous, organized, and reproducible documentation of protocols, experiments, and data; contribute to lab-wide standard operating procedures.

Coordinate with clinical teams and study coordinators on human tissue acquisition and processing, in strict adherence to IRB-approved protocols and specimen handling requirements.

Prepare figures, manuscripts, abstracts, and presentations; present work at lab meetings, institutional forums, and national scientific meetings.

Contribute to grant applications, progress reports, and consortium deliverables, and pursue individual fellowship or career development funding (for example F32, K99/R00, or foundation awards).

Establish and maintain scientific collaborations within Penn and at outside institutions, including directly contacting other laboratories to learn techniques, source reagents, and resolve technical problems.

Mentor and provide day-to-day technical guidance to REI fellows, OB/GYN residents, medical students, and undergraduate trainees.

Participate in shared lab operations and citizenship, including safety compliance, equipment upkeep, reagent ordering, journal club, and onboarding of new lab members.

Qualifications
Required Qualifications

PhD, MD, or equivalent advanced degree in reproductive biology, cell or molecular biology, immunology, physiology, bioengineering, or a closely related field. Candidates who have completed all degree requirements but have not yet been conferred the degree may apply, provided completion can be verified by the University. Candidates from non-U.S. universities must hold a degree equivalent to those awarded by U.S. institutions.

Demonstrated record of research productivity appropriate to career stage, including first-author publications or manuscripts under review or in preparation.

Hands-on experience with mammalian tissue culture, including sterile technique and maintenance of primary cells or organoid cultures.

Proficiency in core molecular biology assays, such as nucleic acid extraction, RT-qPCR, protein quantification and immunoblotting, cloning, or ELISA.

Demonstrated ability to work independently: to design experiments, troubleshoot failed protocols, optimize new assays, and drive a project forward with limited day-to-day direction.

Evidence of exceptional initiative, such as independently initiated projects, collaborations, methods, funding applications, or programs developed during graduate training.

Strong organizational skills and conscientious, detailed record keeping across concurrent experiments and timelines.

Excellent written and verbal scientific communication skills, including experience presenting data to both specialist and non-specialist audiences.

Commitment to women's health and reproductive science, and to translational research that is relevant to patients.

A collaborative working style, with a track record of contributing to a positive team environment, supporting colleagues, and reflecting thoughtfully on feedback and on one's own performance.

Willingness to mentor and support junior trainees at multiple levels of experience.

Preferred Qualifications

Experience with multiplexed or multicyclic imaging platforms (CODEX/PhenoCycler, Xenium, imaging mass cytometry, Vectra, or similar), including panel design, antibody conjugation, and validation.

Experience with IHC and immunofluorescence on human FFPE and frozen tissue sections, including antigen retrieval optimization and antibody validation.

Quantitative image analysis experience using QuPath, Fiji/ImageJ, CellProfiler, HALO, or comparable tools.

Able to run basic bioinformatic pipelines.

Familiarity with single-cell and spatial transcriptomics (10x Genomics Multiome, Visium, or similar), including sample preparation and interpretation of processed data.

Working proficiency in R or Python for analysis and visualization of imaging or sequencing data.

Experience with flow cytometry and immunophenotyping of tissue-derived cell populations.

Prior experience contributing to grant applications, or a clear plan to apply for individual fellowship or career development funding.

Prior mentoring or teaching experience with students, residents, or junior laboratory staff.

Background or strong interest in endometrial biology, implantation, endometriosis, or gynecologic disease.

Application Instructions
Please provide all of the following, as outlined, for your application to be considered complete:

CV including list of publications
Cover Letter or Letter of Interest
- Applicants are asked to use the cover letter to describe their research experience and technical skills, why they are interested in this laboratory and reproductive biology specifically, and their career goals
Name and Contact Information for Three (3) References
- Must include Doctoral or Primary Research Mentor

Letters of Recommendation will be requested for Finalists. They are NOT required at the time of application.

To apply, visit https://apply.interfolio.com/191979

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

The University of Pennsylvania is an equal opportunity employer. Candidates are considered for employment without regard to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, religion, creed, national origin (including shared ancestry or ethnic characteristics), citizenship status, age, disability, veteran status or any class protected under applicable federal, state, or local law.