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The job details are as follows:

Who We Are

We are the first publicly-traded biotech or pharmaceutical company to take the form of a public benefit corporation. Our public benefit purpose is to provide a brighter future for patients through the development of novel pharmaceutical therapies; and technologies that expand the availability of transplantable organs.

United Therapeutics (Nasdaq: UTHR) seeks to travel down the corridors of indifference to develop treatments for rare, deadly diseases. We were founded in 1996 by a family seeking a cure for their daughter’s pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). Today, we have six FDA-approved therapies that treat PAH, pulmonary hypertension associated with interstitial lung disease (PH-ILD) and neuroblastoma, a rare pediatric cancer. Our near-term pipeline seeks to develop additional therapies for PAH and pulmonary fibrosis (PF).

The cure for end-stage life-threatening diseases like PAH, PH-ILD, PF, and many others is an organ transplant, but only a small percentage of donated organs are available to address the vast need. For this reason, we are working to create manufactured organs to address the shortage of kidneys, hearts, lungs, and livers available for transplant. We believe an unlimited supply of tolerable, transplantable organs will eliminate the transplant waiting list and cure end-stage organ diseases for which transplant is not currently an option.


How you’ll contribute

We are looking for our missing puzzle piece, an extracellular matrix (ECM) enthusiast who is looking to apply that expertise to a scale with impact that could change the world? This position will advance progress towards the generation of a functional engineered lung, with a specific focus on the role of the lung scaffold during cellular repopulation, including cell-matrix interactions, matrix changes during culture, and the impact of matrix properties on cellular repopulation. Interested? We can’t wait to meet you – let’s chat soon!

• Characterize the stability of matrix components, identify relevant degradation profiles, and mitigate degradation of key components, as appropriate
• Identify potential process changes or storage conditions to mitigate stability concerns, and contribute to the evaluation and implementation of changes to process or storage conditions
• Analyze recellularization outcomes to understand the role of the ECM scaffold in the biology of regeneration in engineered lung constructs
• Evaluate and optimize scaffold ECM stability from decellularization through recellularization and terminal pulmonary function assessments
• Determine the proper chemical conditions for ECM stability, ECM component supplementation and adsorption, and ECM-cell interactions
• Analyze matrix composition, turnover, and cell-derived matrix deposition in engineered tissues, interpret these findings, and provide insightful and actionable methods to improve or stabilize the function of the engineered tissues which may include supplementation with bioactive matrix or matrix-associated molecules
• Assess the mechanical function of the scaffold at the organ (pulmonary mechanics) and tissue (interstitial, alveolar, and microvascular integrity) levels and develop methods to promote the proper organization and function of the matrix molecules to achieve optimal regeneration of native organ function
• Evaluate the consistency of findings between in vitro assays and large-scale recellularization studies, adjusting or developing new assays as necessary
• Independently integrate analyses from experiments across multiple sub-teams to determine key factors which drive outcomes, as needed
• Develop new techniques, laboratory procedures, and/or protocols to support lung scaffold recellularization and characterization efforts, as needed
• Proficiently perform complex scientific tasks and independently make complex technical or scientific decisions
• Proficiently analyze data, potentially utilizing sophisticated or in-depth analyses, and through such analyses, identify novel data trends
• Evaluate new technologies or methods, applying scientific insights to the process. Coordinate tech transfer with academic & industrial collaborators.
• Develop and implement novel, impactful, and/or complex experimental plans. Generate insightful complex hypotheses and conclusions. Apply scientific knowledge and literature evidence to experimental planning.
• Prepare and present regular reports on research strategy and progress
• Independently contribute to focused research areas through maintenance and continued development of knowledge using past and current scientific literature as well as collaborative thinking
• Commit to supporting individual, group, and departmental goals to achieve key objectives
• Appropriately document performance and methods
• Help maintain smooth operations of the lab, including maintaining lab supplies, monitoring equipment and providing lab support
• Perform other duties as assigned

For this role you will need

Minimum Requirements

• Masters degree with 6+ years of related industry or academic faculty-level experience or a PhD with 2+ years of related industry or academic faculty-level experience
• 5+ years of experience and comfort developing, optimizing ,and performing analytical assays, evaluating and interpreting data, and optimizing and troubleshooting analytical assays
• Experience includes proficiency with at least 4 of the following analytical tools in support of research efforts: histology, immunohistochemistry, image analysis, SEM/TEM, biochemistry, ELISA, Western Blot, and/or proteomics/glycomics, mechanical testing
• Experience with statistical analysis utilizing JMP, GraphPad Prism, R or other comparable program
• Proficiency and experience developing, optimizing ,and performing analytical assays, evaluating and interpreting data, and optimizing and troubleshooting analytical assays
• Proficient in applying Design of Experiments (DOE) principles and advanced statistical methods for experimental planning and data interpretation
• Familiarity with material and device biocompatibility evaluation and associated regulatory requirements

Preferred Qualifications

• Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in protein/cell biology, biomaterials, biotechnology, biomedical engineering, biomechanics, or related field
• Performs and interprets results of uniaxial mechanical testing
• Experience with MatLab and/or Python
• Comparative Proteomic Quantitation/Comparative Analysis Program(s)
• Previous regenerative medicine or tissue engineering experience involving cellular and matrix or scaffold interactions
• Experience/knowledge in one or more of the following: - Mechanical characterization of biomaterials, Chemical modifications of extracellular matrix, - Immunological techniques (IHC, ELISA), - Accelerated degradation study of biomaterials, product or prototype characterization of proteins, and/or - Protein detection, western blot or ELISA especially as applied to ECM component or degradative products
• Contribution to regulatory filing(s) in support of clinical candidate development

Eligible employees may participate in the Company’s comprehensive benefits suite of programs, including medical / dental / vision / prescription coverage, employee wellness resources, savings plans (401k and ESPP), paid time off & paid parental leave benefits, disability benefits, and more. For additional information on Company benefits, please visit https://www.unither.com/careers/benefits-and-amenities

United Therapeutics Corporation is an Equal Opportunity Employer, including veterans and individuals with disabilities.