Postdoctoral Research Fellow Stem Cell Biology and Human iPSC Engineering

terasakiinstituteยท Precision Medicine
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๐Ÿ“ Woodland Hills, California, United StatesFull Time

About this role

We are seeking a highly motivated early-career Postdoctoral Research Fellow with strong, hands-on expertise in human induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) biology. This position is best suited for a recent PhD graduate or researcher within approximately three years of completing their PhD who is interested in developing iPSC-based platforms for regenerative medicine, disease modeling, and translational research.

Direct experimental expertise with human iPSCs is the primary requirement for this position. General mammalian cell culture, molecular biology, or biomaterials experience is desirable but will not substitute for substantial hands-on experience maintaining, expanding, differentiating, and characterizing human iPSCs.

Required Qualifications

Applicants must have:

  • A PhD in stem cell biology, developmental biology, cell biology, molecular biology, biomedical sciences, bioengineering, or a closely related field
  • A PhD completed recently, preferably within the past three years
  • Demonstrated hands-on experience with human iPSC culture, including feeder-free maintenance, passaging, expansion, cryopreservation, recovery, and routine troubleshooting
  • Experience developing, optimizing, or executing directed differentiation protocols for human iPSCs
  • Experience assessing pluripotency, differentiation efficiency, cellular identity, purity, viability, and functional phenotype using molecular and cellular assays
  • Knowledge of iPSC quality control, including morphology, mycoplasma testing, genomic stability, contamination prevention, and line-to-line or batch-to-batch variability
  • A strong publication record relevant to stem cell biology, iPSC differentiation, developmental biology, tissue engineering, or regenerative medicine
  • Strong experimental, analytical, written, and oral communication skills

Preferred Qualifications

Experience with one or more of the following is preferred:

  • CRISPR-Cas genome editing, transfection or nucleofection, single-cell cloning, clone screening, and validation of edited iPSC lines
  • Differentiation of human iPSCs into hepatic, endothelial, epithelial, immune, or other therapeutically relevant lineages
  • Three-dimensional iPSC culture, embryoid bodies, spheroids, organoids, co-culture systems, or tissue-engineered constructs
  • Suspension or aggregate-based iPSC expansion, bioreactor culture, scale-up, or process development
  • Single-cell analysis, transcriptomics, high-content imaging, functional assays, or advanced flow cytometry
  • Biomaterials, hydrogels, bioprinting, microfluidics, or GMP-aligned and translational cell-therapy workflows

Responsibilities

The successful candidate will:

  • Maintain, expand, cryopreserve, recover, and quality-control human iPSC lines
  • Develop, optimize, and reproduce directed differentiation protocols for selected cell lineages
  • Generate and characterize gene-edited or otherwise engineered iPSC lines, when required by the project
  • Establish robust assays for pluripotency, lineage identity, purity, viability, maturation, and cellular function
  • Investigate and troubleshoot variability related to iPSC lines, culture conditions, differentiation batches, and experimental scale-up
  • Design and execute independent research studies and analyze and interpret experimental data
  • Prepare manuscripts, presentations, reports, protocols, and grant-related materials
  • Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams of stem cell biologists, engineers, immunologists, and clinicians
  • Mentor junior researchers and contribute to laboratory organization, quality systems, and shared iPSC workflows

Important Applicant Guidance

This position requires substantial direct experimental experience with human iPSCs. Applications focused primarily on general mammalian cell culture, cancer cell lines, mesenchymal stem cells, molecular biology, computational biology, clinical research, or biomaterials without sustained hands-on human iPSC experience will not be considered.

Applicants should clearly describe their personal contributions to iPSC maintenance, expansion, cryopreservation, differentiation, genome editing or clonal work, quality control, and phenotypic or functional characterization in their cover letter and curriculum vitae.

Brief exposure to iPSCs through coursework, collaboration, use of pre-differentiated commercial cells, or occasional maintenance of an established line does not by itself meet the experience requirement.

Candidates whose experience is limited to routine culture without independently optimizing differentiation, troubleshooting iPSC quality, or interpreting lineage-specific outcomes are unlikely to be competitive.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the salary disclosed for the Postdoctoral Research Fellow Stem Cell Biology and Human iPSC Engineering position at terasakiinstitute?
The salary for this Postdoctoral Research Fellow Stem Cell Biology and Human iPSC Engineering role at terasakiinstitute is not publicly listed. Click "Apply Now" to learn more about the compensation package on their official careers page.
Where is the Postdoctoral Research Fellow Stem Cell Biology and Human iPSC Engineering position at terasakiinstitute located?
This Postdoctoral Research Fellow Stem Cell Biology and Human iPSC Engineering role at terasakiinstitute is based in Woodland Hills, California, United States. The position is listed as on-site or hybrid. Check the full job description or apply directly to confirm the work arrangement.
Is the Postdoctoral Research Fellow Stem Cell Biology and Human iPSC Engineering role at terasakiinstitute full-time or part-time?
This is listed as a Full Time position. It is posted as a Postdoctoral Research Fellow Stem Cell Biology and Human iPSC Engineering role in the Precision Medicine department at terasakiinstitute.
Which team or department does the Postdoctoral Research Fellow Stem Cell Biology and Human iPSC Engineering at terasakiinstitute belong to?
This Postdoctoral Research Fellow Stem Cell Biology and Human iPSC Engineering position is part of the Precision Medicine department at terasakiinstitute. See the full job description for more information about the team structure and responsibilities.
How do I apply for the Postdoctoral Research Fellow Stem Cell Biology and Human iPSC Engineering position at terasakiinstitute?
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When was the Postdoctoral Research Fellow Stem Cell Biology and Human iPSC Engineering job at terasakiinstitute posted?
This Postdoctoral Research Fellow Stem Cell Biology and Human iPSC Engineering position at terasakiinstitute was posted on Aug 13, 2026. Apply as soon as possible โ€” early applications are often reviewed first.
Postdoctoral Research Fellow Stem Cell Biology and Human iPSC Engineering
terasakiinstitute
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