Department: Bioengineering

Web Announcement:

Synthetic Chemistry Research Assistant Professor

The George Mason University Department of Bioengineering, within the Volgenau School of Engineering, invites applications for a Research Assistant Professor to perform research in the area of Synthetic Chemistry. The Laboratory of Biomaterials and Nanomedicine in the Department of Bioengineering at the Institute for Advanced Biomedical Research (IABR) of George Mason University seeks a research scientist to work in a multidisciplinary team aiming to develop effective delivery systems for mRNA using lipids, synthetic chemistry, conjugates and microfluidic systems.

The IABR is located on the Science and Technology campus of George Mason University in Manassas, Virginia (https://scitechcampus.gmu.edu/) and is part of the greater Washington, DC area, with close proximity to several collaborative research facilities. George Mason University has a strong institutional commitment to the achievement of excellence and diversity among its faculty and staff, and strongly encourages candidates to apply who will enrich Mason's academic and culturally inclusive environment.

About the Department

The Department of Bioengineering (https://bioengineering.gmu.edu/) was established in 2010, and has rapidly grown to 13 full-time faculty and over 250 students in its BS, MS and PhD programs. The current research and educational focus areas are Biomedical Imaging and Devices, Computational Biomedical Engineering, Biomaterials and Nanomedicine, Neurotechnology and Computational Neuroscience. Newly constructed teaching and research facilities were opened in 2018.

Bioengineering faculty conduct research funded by a number of federal agencies, including the National Institutes of Health (NIH), National Science Foundation (NSF), Department of Defense (DoD), and the United States Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), with over $20 million in active research funding. Faculty in the Bioengineering department have active collaborations with local healthcare institutions including INOVA, Children's National Medical Center, and National Rehabilitation Hospital as well as federal agencies and laboratories such as the Food and Drug Administration, the Naval Research Laboratory, NIH Clinical Center, and the National Institute of Standards and Technology.

Bioengineering faculty also have several currently funded research projects in collaboration with other national and international institutions including the Mayo Clinic, Columbia University, the University of Pittsburgh, University of Pennsylvania, University of Illinois at Chicago, University of California at Irvine, Cold Spring Harbor Labs, Georgia State University, Helsinki University Medical Center, Virginia Tech, Virginia Commonwealth University and Brunel University, UK.

 
Responsibilities:

• Synthesis/purification of lipids for lipid nanoparticle nucleic acid delivery systems;
• Characterization of synthetic products by NMR and LC-MS;
• Plan and execute experiments and analyze data independently.
  
  

Required Qualifications:

• PhD degree in synthetic chemistry or related field and a minimum 2-year postdoctoral experience, obtained by the start date of the position;
• In depth knowledge of NMR and LC-MS methods including determination of protonation (pKa) by NMR;
• Working knowledge of analytical software such as ACDLabs and Molecular Operating Environment;
• Strong synthetic and analytical chemistry skills;
• Attention to detail, critical analysis of data and troubleshooting abilities.
  
  

Preferred Qualifications:

• Excellent communication and presentation skills.
  
  

Mason Engineering: The Future of Engineering is Here

The Volgenau School of Engineering at George Mason University is a fast-growing force for innovation in research and education, with approximately 250 full-time faculty. The school boasts more than 8,170 students in 36 undergraduate, master's, and doctoral degree programs, including several first-in-the-nation offerings. The total anticipated value of VSE's active research grants and contracts exceed $400M in a variety of emerging technologies, including big data, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, healthcare, sustainable infrastructure, advanced materials, and mobile communications.

George Mason University is the largest public research university in Virginia, classified at the Carnegie R1 highest research activity level, with an enrollment of over 38,000 students studying in over 200 degree programs. Mason is an innovative, entrepreneurial institution with national distinction in a range of academic fields. Mason, located in the City of Fairfax in Northern Virginia at the doorstep of Washington, D.C., has unmatched geographical access to a numerous federal agencies and national laboratories. Northern Virginia is also home to one of the largest concentrations of high-tech firms in the nation, providing excellent opportunities for interaction with industry. Fairfax is consistently rated as being among the best places to live in the country and has an outstanding local public school system.

In conjunction with Amazon's decision to establish a second headquarters in Northern Virginia, the Commonwealth of Virginia announced a multi-year plan to invest in the growth of degree programs in computing, and George Mason University has committed to accelerate plans to grow capacity in computing and high-tech fields. Among the exciting initiatives being undertaken by the university are the launch of the Institute for Digital InnovAtion, a university think tank and incubator to serve the digital economy, and the expansion of its Arlington Campus with a planned 400,000 square foot Digital InnovAtion Building. These initiatives reflect hundreds of millions of dollars in new investment by Mason that will rapidly elevate Mason's already leading national position in computing and related areas.

Salary: Commensurate with education and experience.

Location: Prince William, VA

Mason Ad Statement:

Great Careers Begin at Mason!

George Mason University is an innovative, entrepreneurial institution with national distinction in both academics and research. Mason holds a top U.S. News and World Report “Up and Coming” spot for national universities and is recognized for its global appeal and excellence in higher education.

Mason is currently the largest and most diverse university in Virginia with students and faculty from all 50 states and over 135 countries studying in over 200 degree programs at campuses in Arlington, Fairfax and Prince William, as well as at learning locations across the commonwealth. Rooted in Mason’s diversity is a campus culture that is both rewarding and exciting, work that is meaningful, and opportunities to both collaborate and create.

If you are interested in joining the Mason family take a look at our current opportunities and catch some Mason spirit at jobs.gmu.edu/!

George Mason University, Where Innovation is Tradition.

Special Instructions to Applicants:

For full consideration, applicants must complete the online application at https://jobs.gmu.edu/ for position F569AZ, and attach a cover letter, CV, a 1-2 page description of relevant research experience (to be attached as 'Other Doc'), and a list of three professional references with contact information. Review of applications will continue until the position is filled. Questions regarding the position should be directed to Professor Michael D. Buschmann, Chair, Department of Bioengineering, at mbuschma@gmu.edu.

Equity Statement:

George Mason University is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer, committed to promoting inclusion and equity in its community. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability or veteran status, or any characteristic protected by law.