Postdoctoral Researcher, Translational Human Reproductive Biology

Postdoctoral Researcher, Translational Human ReproductiveBiology

Location: University of Pennsylvania - Perelman School ofMedicine

Open Date: Aug 24, 2026

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

The O'Neill Lab in the Division of Reproductive Endocrinology andInfertility, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at theUniversity of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine seeks aPostdoctoral Researcher to join a translational research programfocused on the female reproductive tract. Our overarching goal isto understand the cellular and molecular basis of implantation,endometrial regeneration, and gynecologic disease, and to translatethose discoveries into new therapies for infertility and otherdisorders of women's health.

The lab works almost exclusively in human systems. Ongoing projectsinclude: molecular mapping of the healthy female reproductive tractas a Tissue Mapping Center within the NIH HuBMAP Consortium, usingsingle-cell and spatial approaches (10x Multiome, Visium) andmultiplexed imaging (CODEX); development of lipid nanoparticle andmRNA therapeutics for reproductive disorders in collaboration withthe Penn Institute for RNA Innovation, including a vaginallyadministered mRNA-LNP therapeutic to reduce heavy menstrualbleeding as part of the Wellcome Leap “The Missed Vital Sign”program, which seeks precise, non-hormonal treatments that can beself-administered without surgery or suppression of the menstrualcycle; mapping the surface proteome of endometrial cellpopulations; and studies of endometrial regeneration and pregnancyimmunology in recipients of the Penn UNTIL uterus transplant trial.In vitro human models, including patient-derived endometrialorganoids, are central to this work.

The Postdoctoral Researcher will take primary intellectual andtechnical ownership of a project within these areas, with theexpectation of shaping its direction over time and building towardan independent research program. This is a highly collaborativeenvironment: the lab includes a research assistant, rotating REIfellows, OB/GYN residents, graduate and medical students, andundergraduates, and works closely with clinical teams, engineeringand RNA biology groups at Penn, and external scientificcollaborators. We place real value on a positive, generous labculture and on training that is responsive to each person's goals.The successful candidate will be someone who takes initiative, iscomfortable troubleshooting and optimizing protocols independently,reaches out across institutions to learn a technique or start acollaboration, and contributes to the scientific and social healthof the group.

Responsibilities

• Design, execute, and independently troubleshoot experiments usingprimary human reproductive tract tissue and patient-derived organoid models.
• Maintain and expand primary and organoid culture systems,including derivation, passaging, differentiation, treatmentexperiments, 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 andimmunofluorescence on FFPE and frozen human tissue, and multiplexedor multicyclic imaging platforms such as CODEX.
• Analyze, quantify, and interpret imaging and sequencing data;work with computational collaborators to move analyses forward andto interrogate published and consortium datasets.
• Maintain rigorous, organized, and reproducible documentation ofprotocols, experiments, and data; contribute to lab-wide standardoperating procedures.
• Coordinate with clinical teams and study coordinators on humantissue acquisition and processing, in strict adherence toIRB-approved protocols and specimen handling requirements.
• Prepare figures, manuscripts, abstracts, and presentations;present work at lab meetings, institutional forums, and nationalscientific meetings.
• Contribute to grant applications, progress reports, andconsortium deliverables, and pursue individual fellowship or careerdevelopment funding (for example F32, K99/R00, or foundationawards).
• Establish and maintain scientific collaborations within Penn andat outside institutions, including directly contacting otherlaboratories to learn techniques, source reagents, and resolvetechnical problems.
• Mentor and provide day-to-day technical guidance to REI fellows,OB/GYN residents, medical students, and undergraduatetrainees.
• Participate in shared lab operations and citizenship, includingsafety compliance, equipment upkeep, reagent ordering, journalclub, 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 alldegree requirements but have not yet been conferred the degree mayapply, provided completion can be verified by the University.Candidates from non-U.S. universities must hold a degree equivalentto those awarded by U.S. institutions.
• Demonstrated record of research productivity appropriate tocareer stage, including first-author publications or manuscriptsunder review or in preparation.
• Hands-on experience with mammalian tissue culture, includingsterile technique and maintenance of primary cells or organoidcultures.
• Proficiency in core molecular biology assays, such as nucleicacid extraction, RT-qPCR, protein quantification andimmunoblotting, cloning, or ELISA.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently: to designexperiments, troubleshoot failed protocols, optimize new assays,and drive a project forward with limited day-to-daydirection.
• Evidence of exceptional initiative, such as independentlyinitiated projects, collaborations, methods, funding applications,or programs developed during graduate training.
• Strong organizational skills and conscientious, detailed recordkeeping across concurrent experiments and timelines.
• Excellent written and verbal scientific communication skills,including experience presenting data to both specialist andnon-specialist audiences.
• Commitment to women's health and reproductive science, and totranslational research that is relevant to patients.
• A collaborative working style, with a track record ofcontributing to a positive team environment, supporting colleagues,and reflecting thoughtfully on feedback and on one's ownperformance.
• Willingness to mentor and support junior trainees at multiplelevels of experience.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with multiplexed or multicyclic imaging platforms(CODEX/PhenoCycler, Xenium, imaging mass cytometry, Vectra, orsimilar), including panel design, antibody conjugation, andvalidation.
• Experience with IHC and immunofluorescence on human FFPE andfrozen tissue sections, including antigen retrieval optimizationand 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 (10xGenomics Multiome, Visium, or similar), including samplepreparation and interpretation of processed data.
• Working proficiency in R or Python for analysis and visualizationof imaging or sequencing data.
• Experience with flow cytometry and immunophenotyping oftissue-derived cell populations.
• Prior experience contributing to grant applications, or a clearplan to apply for individual fellowship or career developmentfunding.
• Prior mentoring or teaching experience with students, residents,or junior laboratory staff.
• Background or strong interest in endometrial biology,implantation, endometriosis, or gynecologic disease.

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), citizenshipstatus, age, disability, veteran status or any class protectedunder applicable federal, state, or local law.