Open Positions

Post-Doctoral Research

We have an opening!

We have an immediate post-doctoral research opening for exceptional, well-trained PhD graduates in the field of micro- and nanoengineered hydrogels for tissue engineering and regeneration. The highly motivated post-doc researcher will focus on developing the next generation modular hydrogels for a variety of in vitro and in vivo applications. The applicants must have a profound background in at least 3 of the following skills: (a) Microfluidics (device design, cleanroom procedures, microfabrication, and micro-characterization)(b) Biomaterials (hydrogel design, synthesis, processing, and characterization)(c) In vitro techniques (2D and 3D cell culture models, cytotoxicity assays, imaging, immunohistochemistry, immunoimaging, and protein and gene expression analyses)(d) Bioprinting (microextrusion, inkjet, stereolithography, DMD, or other techniques)(e) In vivo models (small/large animal disease models, in vivo imaging, and tissue evaluation)
The successful applicant will join a highly multidisciplinary and diverse team of engineers and scientists with research interests and expertise in engineering soft materials for addressing some of the most pressing challenges of current century in biomedicine and the environment.
Our lab is located in the brand new Chemical and Biomedical Engineering building (http://chemebiomedbuilding.engr.psu.edu/) at the heart of Penn State University in downtown State College. The Department is strategically located in the walking distance to the Millennium Science Complex, a 275,600 square-foot science building housing two of the University’s premier research organizations: The Huck Institutes of the Life Sciences (https://www.huck.psu.edu/) and the Materials Research Institute (https://www.mri.psu.edu/) providing one of the nation’s most elite research infrastructures with exceptional core facilities. Applicants who hold a PhD in chemical engineering, biomedical engineering, materials science and engineering, biological engineering, chemistry, and other relevant fields are invited to apply for the position. The position is for one year with the possibility of renewal. Qualified applicants should direct their dossier, including a cover letter clearly stating their (i) research skills in categories (a) to (e), (ii) current research, and (iii) future research/career plans, cv, and the names of at least 3 references as a single PDF file to Dr. Amir Sheikhi via email.

PhD Research

We have two openings!

We have two immediate openings for highly motivated PhD students with interest in micro-/nanoengineering soft materials for addressing some of the bottlenecks in water/body fluid treatment as well as tissue engineering and organ bioprinting. Interested students are encouraged to apply to the McWhirter Graduate Program of Chemical Engineering at Penn State and forward their application package to Prof. Amir Sheikhi. Presubmission inquiries are welcome!
Apply online at: https://www.che.psu.edu/academics/graduate/how-to-apply.aspx

Master Research

We have openings!

MSc students interested in our research are encouraged to apply to the Master of Science in Chemical Engineering Program at Penn State and contact Prof. Amir Sheikhi directly. MSc students are required to meet all the admission requirements and secure their own funding.
Apply online at: https://www.che.psu.edu/academics/graduate/master-of-science-degree.aspx

Undergraduate Research

We ALWAYS have openings!

Undergraduate research is one of the main pillars of our lab!

Research in Sheikhi Lab focuses on micro- and nanoengineering a burgeoning class of materials called soft matter, including hydrogels and colloidal particles. Hydrogels (like Jell-O!) are crosslinked polymer networks that can hold a large amount of water inside them and mimic human tissues, and colloidal particles are microscopic objects often suspended in a fluid (like Boba!). We engineer these materials to devise accessible solutions for some of the unmet biomedical and environmental challenges of the 21^st century, such as tissue engineering via 3D bioprinting, drug testing/screening, blood purification, sustainable water treatment, and so forth.
Time commitment: We highly encourage undergraduate researcher to spend at least 10 hours per week in the lab to strengthen their research skills. Undergraduate students will be located in the student room (412 CBEB) right across the research lab (416 CBEB) on the 4^th floor of CBEB to enjoy a flexible lab schedule while doing their coursework.
Compensation: Many courses, such as CHE 294 and CHE 494 are available to credit the hard work of undergraduate researchers. Funding through the REU (Research Experiences for Undergraduates) may be available during the summer. Other sources of funding may be found in this link. We highly value the influence of undergrads in our research by providing support throughout their studies and future career.
Impact: Undergraduate students will develop advanced research skills while fostering their soft skills, such as time management, teamwork, leadership, effective communication, and ethics.

Visiting Scholars

We ALWAYS have openings!

Exceptional students, fellows, researchers, and professors from around the globe are welcome to direct their inquiries regarding a temporary visiting research position in the Bio-Soft Materials Laboratory (B-SMaL) to Prof. Sheikhi. The visiting scholars need to secure their external funding and meet all the requirements of Penn State.

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