Senior Staff Scientist – iPSC-Derived Liver Cell Engineering

POSITION OVERVIEW

The Terasaki Institute for Biomedical Innovation is developing advanced regenerative medicine platforms using human iPSC-derived cells, biomaterials, biofabrication, and translational tissue engineering technologies. The Institute works closely with clinicians, engineers, and external partners to develop scalable, clinically relevant solutions for organ failure and other major unmet medical needs.

We are seeking an experienced Senior Staff Scientist to serve as a technical lead for iPSC-derived liver cell engineering programs. The successful candidate will lead the development, optimization, and execution of human iPSC expansion, directed differentiation toward hepatocyte and related liver lineages, functional characterization, and the development of scalable workflows. This is a senior-level, non-faculty position focused on technical leadership, program execution, and platform development rather than independent PI-track grant writing.

The ideal candidate will have strong hands-on expertise in human iPSC culture and differentiation, a deep understanding of liver lineage biology, and the ability to drive complex, milestone-driven translational research programs in collaboration with biomaterials, biofabrication, perfusion, and in vivo teams.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Technical Leadership

1. Lead the development, optimization, and troubleshooting of human iPSC culture and directed differentiation workflows.
2. Establish robust protocols for differentiation toward hepatocyte-like cells and related liver lineages, including definitive endoderm and hepatic progenitor stages.
3. Design and execute molecular, cellular, and functional characterization strategies for iPSC-derived liver cells.
4. Develop scalable, reproducible, and well-documented workflows suitable for translational and preclinical research programs.
5. Contribute to the establishment of internal standards for iPSC handling, differentiation quality, functional benchmarking, and batch-to-batch reproducibility.

Program Execution

1. Serve as a core technical lead on institute-level regenerative medicine programs focused on iPSC-derived liver platforms.
2. Own execution of key experimental workflows, deliverables, and milestone-driven research activities.
3. Perform and oversee assays including qPCR, Western blotting, flow cytometry, immunostaining, ELISA-based assays, albumin secretion, urea production, and CYP450 activity.
4. Troubleshoot complex biological and process-related challenges related to iPSC expansion, differentiation efficiency, maturation, and functional performance.
5. Maintain detailed experimental documentation consistent with translational research and program reporting standards.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

1. Work closely with biomaterials, biofabrication, perfusion, organoid, and in vivo research teams to integrate iPSC-derived liver cells into engineered tissue systems.
2. Collaborate with internal and external partners to support translational development, preclinical validation, and platform advancement.
3. Contribute technical expertise to program planning, experimental design, milestone reviews, internal reports, and collaborative discussions.

Mentorship & Capability Building

1. Mentor junior scientists, research associates, and trainees in iPSC culture, differentiation, and characterization workflows.
2. Help establish internal expertise in iPSC-derived liver cell engineering and functional validation.
3. Contribute to SOP development, training materials, and laboratory infrastructure needed to support scalable cell engineering programs.
4. Support preparation of manuscripts, presentations, technical reports, and program deliverables.

QUALIFICATIONS

Required Qualifications

1. PhD in Stem Cell Biology, Biomedical Engineering, Developmental Biology, Regenerative Medicine, Cell Biology, or a related field.
2. Significant hands-on experience with human iPSC culture, maintenance, expansion, and differentiation.
3. Demonstrated expertise in directed differentiation toward hepatocyte-like cells, definitive endodermal lineages, or related cell types.
4. Strong background in molecular and cellular biology techniques, including qPCR, flow cytometry, immunostaining, Western blotting, and cell-based assays.
5. Experience with functional liver assays, such as albumin secretion, urea production, CYP450 activity, metabolic assays, or ELISA-based readouts.
6. Strong publication record and demonstrated ability to execute complex experimental projects.
7. Ability to work independently while contributing effectively to a multidisciplinary, team-based research environment.
8. Excellent organizational, documentation, communication, and troubleshooting skills.

Preferred Qualifications

1. Postdoctoral training or equivalent experience in iPSC biology, liver differentiation, organoid systems, cell therapy, or regenerative medicine.
2. Experience with 3D culture systems, organoids, engineered tissues, or biomaterial-based cell culture platforms.
3. Familiarity with cell banking, quality control assays, translational workflow development, or GMP-adjacent research practices.
4. Experience with bioreactor-based iPSC expansion, aggregate culture, or scale-up of differentiation workflows.
5. Prior experience in translational research, preclinical programs, industry, or milestone-driven collaborative projects.
6. Interest in regenerative medicine, liver disease modeling, organ replacement, and clinical translation.

POSITION CHARACTERISTICS

1. Senior individual contributor role with high technical ownership.
2. Non-faculty scientific staff position.
3. Focused on technical leadership, platform development, and execution of translational research programs.
4. No independent grant-writing requirement.
5. Expected to mentor junior team members and help build institute-level capabilities in iPSC-derived liver cell engineering.
6. Critical role in advancing scalable, reproducible, and clinically relevant iPSC-derived liver platforms.

APPLICATION MATERIALS

Applicants should submit:

1. Curriculum Vitae
2. Brief research statement or technical expertise summary, 1-2 pages
3. Contact information for three professional references