Next-Generation Clinically Relevant Models of Fibrosis and Wound Healing

What we are looking for

The BioMed X Institute is establishing a new, fully funded research group at its new XSeed Labs incubator on the research campus of Boehringer Ingelheim in Ridgefield, Connecticut, USA, in the following field:

Next-Generation Clinically Relevant Models of Fibrosis and Wound Healing

If you hold a PhD or master’s degree with an outstanding track record or strong interest in this field and are interested in leading and collaborating in a cross-functional team composed of, but not limited to, bioengineers, molecular biologists, specialists in molecular and transport modeling, data and computer scientists, we invite you to apply with a project proposal for a position in our new research group (1 group leader, 2 postdoctoral researchers, 2 research assistants).

Each BioMed X project team is sponsored by an industry partner. The sponsor of this call for application is Boehringer Ingelheim.

Chronic fibroinflammatory diseases (NASH, PF-ILDs, scleroderma, Crohn’s disease, and others) are characterized by aberrant tissue repair and are driven in part by pathological matrix production, macrophage and fibroblast activation, and metabolic reprogramming. Similar processes impact the solid tumor microenvironment contributing to tumorigenesis, immune suppression, and drug resistance.

In close collaboration with our pharma partner Boehringer Ingelheim, the task of the new research group is to develop new physiologically relevant fibrotic disease models that can help us better understand pathological fibrosis as compared to normal wound healing processes. This will increase the chances of developing effective therapies that can maximally reduce fibrosis progression without interfering with the natural wound healing processes.

Project proposals should focus on the following key challenges:

• Elaborate on new single-cell expression datasets as well as other sources to inform the design and engineering of improved in vitro and in vivo models at various pathological stages relevant to the human wound healing process;
• Develop relevant in vitro models that integrate key microenvironmental features that closely recapitulate physiological tissue and the associated challenges to therapeutic delivery;
• Develop an in silico model to quantitatively predict critical microenvironmental parameters that may hinder or benefit efficacious distribution and delivery to the fibrotic microenvironment;
• Assess the delivery of key therapeutic molecules to validate and predict the inclusion of key microenvironmental features in the in vitro and in silico models.

Original ideas reaching far beyond the current state-of-the-art are particularly encouraged.

Group leader positions are intended to suit candidates with a PhD (or equivalent) in bioengineering, immunology, or in a related area who would like to develop themselves towards a leadership career path either in academia or industry and typically have between four and eight years of relevant postdoctoral research experience. Candidates for postdoctoral positions are expected to have completed a PhD or equivalent within the last four years and a certain degree of specialization in one or more relevant cutting-edge technologies.

What we offer

• A position in a fully funded research group with an annual budget of 890,000 USD. The funding package covers salaries, consumables, services, travel costs, overhead, as well as full access to the core facilities on the research campus of Boehringer Ingelheim.
• Visa sponsorship as required
• An initial term of three years, with the possibility of prolongation for up to two additional years.
• An exciting research opportunity on a multidisciplinary and international pharma research campus with a collegial and flexible working environment.
• Employee benefits plan
• Participation in the BioMed X Boot Camp: learn how to build a compelling pitch presentation in only 5 days

There is flexibility over starting dates, but successful applicants are welcome to take up post starting November 2023 – February 2024.

Application & Selection Process

• Please apply online at https://career.bio.mx/call/2023-RDG-C01
• As part of the online application procedure, you will be asked to submit: (i) A competitive project proposal that gives us an idea of your scientific expertise and creative potential (3-5 pages describing your unique experimental approach); (ii) Your curriculum vitae including your publication record.
• Deadline for applications: July 5, 2023
• After a first selection round, candidates will be invited to a five-day innovation boot camp in Ridgefield from August 21 to 25, 2023. With the guidance of experienced mentors, candidates will jointly work on their project proposals and present them in front of a jury on the final day. Successful candidates will be offered a position at the new XSeed Labs incubator in Ridgefield.

About BioMed X & XSeed Labs

BioMed X is an independent research institute located on the campus of the University of Heidelberg in Germany, with a world-wide network of partner locations. Together with our partners, we identify big biomedical research challenges and provide creative solutions by combining global crowdsourcing with local incubation of the world’s brightest early-career research talents. Each of the highly diverse research teams at BioMed X has access to state-of-the-art research infrastructure and is continuously guided by experienced mentors from academia and industry. At BioMed X, we combine the best of two worlds – academia and industry – and enable breakthrough innovation by making biomedical research more efficient, more agile, and more fun.