Research Associate, Orthopaedic Surgery

Role overview

The Department of Orthopaedic Surgery within the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania is hiring a Research Associate as part of its Academic Support Staff. This is a one-year appointment to start, and any continuation or renewal during that period will depend on satisfactory performance and the availability of funding, with the total appointment limited to three years.

Research focus

The position calls for deep expertise in tissue engineering, biomaterials, mechanical testing, cartilage and meniscus research, large-animal model work, and biomaterials synthesis. The ideal candidate should also have strong interest in musculoskeletal tissue engineering and translational animal models, especially with a focus on cartilage and/or meniscus.

Qualifications

Applicants need a Ph.D. in Biomedical Engineering or an equivalent field, along with postdoctoral experience in areas connected to regenerative medicine, tissue engineering, and/or translational animal models. Excellent written and verbal communication skills are required, including a proven record of publishing research findings in peer-reviewed journals.

Key duties

The role includes conducting scientific research using in vitro and in vivo models for cartilage and meniscus tissue engineering, as well as broader musculoskeletal applications. The researcher will also contribute to grant proposals and journal manuscripts, take part in departmental educational activities as assigned, and support the mentoring and teaching of junior laboratory members.

Work environment

The successful candidate will join an interdisciplinary team with expertise spanning engineering, biology, and medicine.

Location and dates

This position is based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The posting opened on October 2, 2025 and the application deadline is October 2, 2027 at 11:59 PM Eastern Time.

Additional information

This appointment begins as a one-year role and may be renewed based on performance and funding availability, up to a maximum of three years.