About the Role
Sonkusale Research Labs at Tufts University (www.nanolab.info) is recruiting a Postdoctoral Researcher to join our efforts in developing living medicines, focusing on next-generation therapeutic platforms based on delivery of live microorganisms (e.g. probiotics) The successful candidate will contribute to the design, fabrication, and testing of systems that enable controlled delivery of live microorganisms to improve health outcomes. This work
bridges biomaterials engineering, microbiology, and translational medicine, with a strong focus
on real-world therapeutic applications.

Key Responsibilities
• Design and Development
o Develop and optimize delivery systems for live biotherapeutics, ensuring stability,
viability, and targeted release.
o Explore new biomaterial-based strategies to protect and control probiotic activity.
• Experimental Validation
o Assess probiotic survival, colonization, and therapeutic function using in vitro and
ex vivo models.
o Evaluate antimicrobial activity and host–microbe interactions.
• Microbiome Science
o Characterize the impact of probiotic delivery on microbial communities using
sequencing, metabolomics, and bioinformatics.
o Study functional outcomes such as microbiome modulation, metabolite
production, and immune response.
• Collaboration and Dissemination
o Work closely with a multidisciplinary team of engineers, microbiologists, and
clinicians.
o Publish findings in high-impact journals and present at leading conferences.

Qualifications
• Education: PhD in Microbiology, Biomedical Engineering, Biotechnology, Chemical
Engineering, Systems Biology, or related field.
• Required Expertise:
o Strong background in probiotics, microbiome research, or living therapeutics.
o Hands-on experience with biomaterials, encapsulation, or drug delivery systems.
o Competence in microbiological methods including anaerobic and aerobic culture,
CFU assays, and biofilm models.

• Preferred Expertise:
o Knowledge of sequencing approaches (16S rRNA, metagenomics) and data
analysis.
o Experience with metabolomics, proteomics, or systems-level microbiome
characterization.
o Familiarity with models of host–microbe interactions such as cell culture,
organoids, or explants.

• Skills:
o Strong problem-solving and experimental design skills.
o Excellent written and oral communication abilities.
o Capacity to thrive in a collaborative, interdisciplinary research environment.

Why Join Us?
• Be part of pioneering research in living medicines that integrates microbiology,
biomaterials, and biomedical engineering.
• Work in a collaborative environment with access to advanced facilities at Tufts and
partner institutions.
• Contribute to translational innovations with the potential to redefine the future of
healthcare.
• Work in a diverse and intellectually stimulating research environment in the greater
Boston area

• Several opportunities for personal and professional development under the mentorship of
the PI

Application Process
Interested candidates should submit to [email protected]
1. Curriculum Vitae (CV)
2. Cover Letter highlighting expertise in probiotics, microbiome, or living medicines
3. One page research proposal on any one idea related to living medicine with summary of
technical approach, innovation and impact
4. Contact information for three academic or professional references
Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled.

Application Materials:
• CV
• Cover letter highlighting relevant expertise
• One-page research proposal on a living medicine concept
• Contact information for three references
More information about this position can be found here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1udnFuIIXUhJkq5AD4Xp-OcfPRXGt3puH/view?usp=drive_link

Apply: https://forms.gle/6jbQgntArezU238S6