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Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS)
National Institutes of Health (NIH)
National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS)
Division of Translational Toxicology (DTT)
Mechanistic Toxicology Branch
Research Triangle Park, North Carolina

Job Description

Postdoctoral Fellow – 3D Microtissue Models and Predictive NAMs for Fibrotic Diseases

Organization

The Division of Translational Toxicology at the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS), NIH, is seeking a highly motivated postdoctoral fellow to join an interdisciplinary research program focused on developing advanced in vitro and computational models for fibrotic diseases.

About the Position

This position is part of an ongoing collaborative effort between NIEHS and the National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences (NCATS) to generate and integrate functional and transcriptomic multimodal data from a platform of 3D Multi-Organ Models for Fibrosis (3D-MOFIB). The goal is to establish and qualify combined in vitro/in silico New Approach Methodologies (NAMs) that predict the safety and efficacy of therapeutics and detect hazardous environmental chemicals that may induce fibrotic processes and/or disease. This program addresses a critical need for high-quality, scalable data from validated in vitro systems to enable robust predictive computational models.

Within this framework, the fellow will contribute to the development and validation of multicellular 3D bioprinted human placenta models to study fibrosis in preeclampsia, a major cause of maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality. These models incorporate trophoblasts, endothelial cells, stromal fibroblasts, and immune components (Hofbauer cells) to recapitulate the placental microenvironment.

Research Focus

  • Develop and optimize 3D placenta tissue models under physiologically relevant conditions
  • Investigate mechanisms of fibrosis induced by environmental exposures and TGF-β signaling
  • Generate and integrate multimodal datasets (functional assays and multi-omics)
  • Contribute to the development of predictive in vitro/in silico NAMs (AI/ML-based)
  • Conduct high-throughput screening (HTS) of anti-fibrotic or pro-fibrotic compounds

Collaborative Environment

The fellow will be immersed in a collaborative, multidisciplinary environment, gaining exposure to cutting-edge research, regulatory practices, and professional development that will prepare them to drive innovation in the NAMs field while contributing to next-generation platforms for drug discovery and disease modeling.

Qualifications

  • Ph.D., or equivalent in biomedical sciences (e.g., cell biology, bioengineering, reproductive biology, toxicology, or related field)
  • Experience with cell culture, molecular biology, tissue engineering, or omics approaches; experience with 3D models is preferred
  • Strong interest in translational science and women’s health

Application

Email the following documents to Darlene Dixon.

  • Curriculum vitae or Résumé
  • Contact information for 3 references
  • A short statement (max 2 pages) detailing your research interests and skill set

Contact:  Darlene Dixon, D.V.M., Ph.D., D.A.C.V.P. ([email protected])

DO NOT INCLUDE YOUR BIRTHDATE OR SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER (SSN) ON APPLICATION MATERIALS.
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