Job opportunity
Postdoctoral Researcher
Synth-Med Biotechnology Inc.
Synth-Med Biotechnology Inc. is hiring a postdoctoral fellow to work in collaboration with Dr. Craig
Simmon’s lab on in vitro blood–brain barrier (BBB) models supporting Synth-Med’s CNS-directed
enzyme replacement therapy (ERT) and nanomedicine programs for lysosomal storage disorders.
The successful candidate you will be supporting our pre-clinical in-vitro testing of BBB crossing nano
carriers and help unveiling mechanistic processes of the technology.
This is a joint academic–industry role. You will be based in the Simmons Lab with access to its
microphysiological systems and stem cell infrastructure, and you will work closely with the Synth-Med
R&D team on program timelines and data packages.
What you'll do
Establish, validate, and maintain Transwell BBB models, including hiPSC-derived brain microvascular endothelial cells in mono- and co-culture with astrocytes, pericytes, and/or neurons
Run barrier integrity and permeability assays (TEER, paracellular tracer flux, immunostaining for junctional and transporter markers) and set acceptance criteria for study readouts
Design and execute transport studies on enzyme conjugates, shuttle-peptide and single-domain antibody constructs, and nanoparticle carriers
Develop quantitative readouts of transcytosis and intracellular trafficking, and distinguish transport from surface association
Adapt models to disease-relevant genotypes, including patient-derived or gene-edited iPSC lines
Analyze and present data to the Simmons Lab and to Synth-Med; contribute to internal reports, regulatory-facing documentation, grant applications, and publications
Mentor graduate and undergraduate students working on related projects
Required
PhD in biomedical engineering, cell biology, neuroscience, pharmacology, or a related field
Hands-on experience building and running Transwell BBB models, with demonstrated command of barrier integrity measurement and troubleshooting
Strong quantitative data analysis and a track record of peer-reviewed publication
Ability to work to project timelines in a collaborative, partly industry-facing setting
Preferred
Prior work on lysosomal storage disorders
Familiarity with nanoparticle or liposomal drug delivery and associated characterization methods
Experience with receptor-mediated transcytosis approaches
Microfluidic or organ-on-chip barrier models
Confocal and live-cell imaging, image quantification
Experience with electronic lab notebooks and structured documentation practices suitable for regulatory submissions
Experience with co-culture assays and the practical problems that come with them — media compatibility, seeding order, timing, and controls
What we offer
A project with a clear translational endpoint and a direct line to program decisions
Access to the Simmons Lab's microfabrication, imaging, and stem cell facilities, plus the wider Toronto research ecosystem
Mentorship from both an academic PI and an industry R&D team, with exposure to preclinical development and regulatory strategy
Support for conference travel and professional development
Publication rights on project outcomes, subject to standard IP review
#J-18808-Ljbffr
Apply on source site Simmon’s lab on in vitro blood–brain barrier (BBB) models supporting Synth-Med’s CNS-directed
enzyme replacement therapy (ERT) and nanomedicine programs for lysosomal storage disorders.
The successful candidate you will be supporting our pre-clinical in-vitro testing of BBB crossing nano
carriers and help unveiling mechanistic processes of the technology.
This is a joint academic–industry role. You will be based in the Simmons Lab with access to its
microphysiological systems and stem cell infrastructure, and you will work closely with the Synth-Med
R&D team on program timelines and data packages.
What you'll do
Establish, validate, and maintain Transwell BBB models, including hiPSC-derived brain microvascular endothelial cells in mono- and co-culture with astrocytes, pericytes, and/or neurons
Run barrier integrity and permeability assays (TEER, paracellular tracer flux, immunostaining for junctional and transporter markers) and set acceptance criteria for study readouts
Design and execute transport studies on enzyme conjugates, shuttle-peptide and single-domain antibody constructs, and nanoparticle carriers
Develop quantitative readouts of transcytosis and intracellular trafficking, and distinguish transport from surface association
Adapt models to disease-relevant genotypes, including patient-derived or gene-edited iPSC lines
Analyze and present data to the Simmons Lab and to Synth-Med; contribute to internal reports, regulatory-facing documentation, grant applications, and publications
Mentor graduate and undergraduate students working on related projects
Required
PhD in biomedical engineering, cell biology, neuroscience, pharmacology, or a related field
Hands-on experience building and running Transwell BBB models, with demonstrated command of barrier integrity measurement and troubleshooting
Strong quantitative data analysis and a track record of peer-reviewed publication
Ability to work to project timelines in a collaborative, partly industry-facing setting
Preferred
Prior work on lysosomal storage disorders
Familiarity with nanoparticle or liposomal drug delivery and associated characterization methods
Experience with receptor-mediated transcytosis approaches
Microfluidic or organ-on-chip barrier models
Confocal and live-cell imaging, image quantification
Experience with electronic lab notebooks and structured documentation practices suitable for regulatory submissions
Experience with co-culture assays and the practical problems that come with them — media compatibility, seeding order, timing, and controls
What we offer
A project with a clear translational endpoint and a direct line to program decisions
Access to the Simmons Lab's microfabrication, imaging, and stem cell facilities, plus the wider Toronto research ecosystem
Mentorship from both an academic PI and an industry R&D team, with exposure to preclinical development and regulatory strategy
Support for conference travel and professional development
Publication rights on project outcomes, subject to standard IP review
#J-18808-Ljbffr