Post Doctoral Fellow - Dr. Xiaohua Liu's Laboratory

Prof. Xiaohua Liu's Lab, NextGen Precision Health Center, University of Missouri (MU), Columbia.

A NIH-funded postdoctoral position is available immediately in Prof. Xiaohua Liu's Lab at the University of Missouri (MU), Columbia. The research focuses on the development of biomimetic 3D biomaterials designed to regulate cell-material interactions and promote the regeneration of functional dental and craniofacial tissues for disease treatment.

Responsibilities will include designing, synthesizing, and characterizing new biomaterials; performing in vitro cell culture studies on scaffolds and in vivo testing in disease models; maintaining accurate and organized experimental records; presenting findings at national and international conferences; preparing manuscripts for publication; and assisting in the training of graduate students and new lab members.

Work Hours: 8 a.m. to 5 pm.,, occasional evenings and weekends

Minimum qualifications
* PhD in biomedical engineering, biomaterials, DDS/MD, biology, or other doctoral level degrees from an accredited college or university.

Candidates will be evaluated on:
* Experience in biomaterial/scaffold synthesis and characterization.
* Experience in cell culture.
* A knowledge and laboratory experience in laser microdissection, confocal microscope, and microelectron microscopes (SEM and TEM).
* Experience in molecular biology techniques such as RT-PCR, seq-RNA, IHC, and FACS.
* Experience of RNA-sequencing and data analysis.
* Experience of working in dental pulp and mineralized tissues (tooth and bone).
* Good oral and written communication skills.
* Passion for multidisciplinary research.

Please provide Cover Letter, CV and References

About Liu Lab

The research conducted in Prof. Xiaohua Liu's group focuses on cell-material interactions, biomimetic materials for dental and craniofacial tissue regeneration, and controlled drug delivery. Dr. Xiaohua Liu is a full professor in the Chemical and Biomedical Engineering Department at the University of Missouri (MU). He was recently recruited from Texas A&M School of Dentistry (Dallas) to MU through the MizzouForward Program, an initiative that has invested hundreds of millions of dollars to attract world-class faculty dedicated to tackling grand challenges in health and advancing scientific innovation in priority areas. To date, his group has published approximately 90 peer-reviewed papers in prestigious journals, including Nature Materials, Progress in Polymer Science, Advanced Science, Small, Biomaterials, and the Journal of Dental Research. His research has been continuously funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) since 2013.

Dr. Liu's research contributions have been widely recognized through numerous national and international awards. Recent honors include the International Association for Dental Research (IADR) JDR Cover of the Year Award (2021), the Annals of Biomedical Engineering Most Cited Paper Award over 50 Years (2022), recognition on Stanford University's World's Top 2% Scientists list (2022-present), the IADR William J. Gies Award (2023), election as a Fellow of the American Institute for Medical and Biological Engineering (AIMBE) in 2024, and as a Fellow of the American Association for Dental, Oral, and Craniofacial Research (AADOCR) in 2025

Columbia offers small-town friendliness with big city features and a high quality of life for people of all ages and interests. Founded on education and known as an ideal college town, its location also makes it an attractive spot for businesses and travelers. Located on Interstate 70 and U.S. Highway 63, Columbia is right in the middle of the state and the nation. Just a couple hours' drive from St. Louis and Kansas City, Columbia is Boone County's largest population center offering big-city culture, activities, and resources with a low cost of living. Columbia is home to a variety of restaurants and entertainment venues and hosts more than a dozen festivals each year. If you want to grow your career, continue your education, raise a family, and retire, Columbia is a good place to be!

This position is eligible for University benefits. As part of your total compensation, the University offers a comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental and vision plans, retirement, and educational fee discounts for all four UM System campuses. For additional information on University benefits, please visit the Faculty & Staff Benefits website at https://www.umsystem.edu/totalrewards/benefits.

Equal Employment Opportunity

The University of Missouri is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

To request ADA accommodations, please call the Director of Accessibility and ADA at 573-884-7278.