Postdoctoral Fellow, In Vitro / New Approach Methodologies (NAMs), Mechanistic Toxicology Branch, Division of Translational Toxicology

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 Position Overview Work Schedule:

Fulltime 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] )

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