Scientist II, Developmental Biologist

The Scientist II, Developmental Biologist serves as a leading scientist within the Exogenous Development (ExoDev) team providing comprehensive knowledge of embryonic and fetal development, placental biology, and uterine physiology to support the development of artificial womb technology. This position reports to the Vice President, Artificial Womb Technology. Based on demonstrated candidate aptitude, leadership abilities, and Team progress, the employee may be transitioned to a management role leading fetal development and neonatal support efforts.

**This position will be based out of Dallas, Texas. Relocation assistance is available. Travel to scientific conferences and to engage with partner institutions will be required, but overall travel is expected to be 20% or less per quarter.**  

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Researches, develops, and implements experimental programs to support development of artificial womb technology including embryonic development, embryonic maturation, implantation, placental development, replication and characterization of critical maternal and uterine signals, nutritional requirements to support maternal and fetal metabolism.
• Provides scientific leadership to the ExoDev team
• Conducts reviews of experimental design, experimental planning, experimental endpoints, and proposed analysis and quantification methods
• Maintains knowledge of relevant research in the field, including attending key conferences and sharing critical manuscripts with the ExoDev team
• Drafts experimental protocols, experimental reports, IACUC protocols, and requested presentation materials for internal and external audiences.
• Identify and collaborate with external institutions to advance team objectives.  Assist in managing contracts with external partners.

Required Skills and Abilities:

• Must have prior research experience regarding maternal and fetal contributions to pregnancy and gestation including:
• Maternal/fetal tissue and cell anatomy, morphology, biochemistry, including changes during gestation   
• Maternal and fetal protein expression and secretion
• Chemotactic factors
• Maternal and fetal hormonal modulation based on anatomic location and temporal variance
• Nutrients/supplementation required to support fetal development and pregnancy
• Characterization of fetal organogenesis, organ development, and organ function.
• Postpartum small and large animal behavioral and neural assessments
• Extensive expertise in placental biology and development in multiple species
• Uterine physiology and changes during pregnancy
• Experience with Animal Models and Research
• Skilled in histology, pathophysiology, imaging, and molecular biology
• Data Analysis & Software expertise
• Tissue & Cell Harvesting, Isolation, and Culturing 
• Strong written and oral communication skills, both for scientific communications (manuscripts, conference presentations, etc.) and for lay audiences (investors, tour attendees, general public)
• Practiced critical thinking, analytical, and problem solving skills.

Education and Experience:

• A doctoral degree, Ph.D. D.V.M. or M.D., with a research focus on fetal and maternal medicine, Reproduction Physiology, Embryonic, Fetal, and/or Neonatal Physiology, Uterine and Fetal Biochemistry, or Embryonic Cell and Molecular Biology is required.
• At least 3 years of post-graduate research experience related to pregnancy, fetal development, or placental biology strongly preferred.
• 3+ years of experience in conducting research with large and small animal models
• Candidates should have multiple peer-reviewed publications related to pregnancy, fetal development, and/or placental biology and development or other publicly available evidence demonstrating a track-record of successfully completing challenging research projects in these fields.