Available Positions

The Cai lab, part of the Health Technology and Engineering Institute (Tech4Health) at NYUGSOM (ranked # 2 in medical schools by ‘U.S. News & World Report​’), aims to build new paradigms of nanotechnology for biological and biomedical applications, including nanoengineered cell interfaces for mechanobiology, optical metasurfaces for imaging and sensing. Our research work has been published in Nature Materials, Nature Nanotechnology, Nature Protocols, Advanced Materials, ACS Nano, ACS Photonics, npj computational materials, etc.

The Tech4Health Institute serves as a hub for the development of new enabling technologies that will advance basic biomedical discovery and clinical care, with close collaboration with biologists and doctors at NYUGSOM, as well as scientists and engineers from worldwide institutions. Immersed in the unique vibrant and innovative environment of the New York City, and one of the foremost medical schools in the world, this is an ideal place for engineering researchers to design technologies to improve human health, a mission never more relevant than today (learn more). 

These positions will receive competitive stipend and benefits such as health insurance and university housing. They will remain open until filled. Interested individuals should send their curriculum vitae to Prof. Cai’s email haogang.cai@nyu.edu. Please indicate the position you apply for in the subject, include a detailed descriptions of research interests, CV with a full list of publications, and names of three references.

Position 1

A postdoctoral position to study nanophotonics and optical metasurfaces. We build optical metasurfaces for imaging and sensing, with biomedical applications for both basic research and health care. We also develop novel fabrication and integration methods with both top-down lithography and bottom-up self-assembly approaches. Candidates must have a PhD in engineering (electrical, mechanical, etc), optics, physics, materials science or other related fields, with experience in electromagnetic modeling, simulation and optical experiments. Research experience in one or more of the following fields is highly encouraged: optical metasurfaces (visible or IR) and metamaterials, micro-optics and miniaturized optical systems, metasurface-enhanced spectroscopy, metasurface resonance engineering, inverse design, etc.

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Position 2

A postdoctoral position to study cell mechanobiology and receptor signaling of important cellular functions (e.g., adhesion, differentiation, immune response). We build new paradigms of mechanobiology study by adopting advanced nanotechnologies such as nano-engineered cell interfaces and optical metasurfaces. Candidates should have PhD degrees in cell biology, biochemistry, biomedical engineering or other related fields, with experience in cell culture and assays, immunostaining, fluorescence microscopy. Research experience with cell signaling, mechanobiology, mechanotransduction, or advanced microscopy techniques (e.g., TIRF, confocal) is encouraged.

Qualification

We seek candidates who are strongly motivated, open-minded, and capable of both independent and collaborative research work. Demonstrated ingenuity, productivity, communication and writing skills, and an excellent record of publications is preferred.

Research Assistantship

Prospective and current graduate students in related programs at NYU, NYUGSOM, NYU Tandon School of Engineering, are all welcome to join the research group. We can recruit students in the NYUGSOM PhD programs, such as Biomedical Imaging & Technology and Cell Biology, as well as Biomedical Engineering and other departments at Tandon. Interested students are encouraged to contact Prof. Cai, and explore the opportunity of advising or co-advising.

Guided research

The Cai lab is also open to graduate and undergraduate students for guided research. Previous research experience in chemical/bio wet lab/cleanroom, dry lab data analysis, simulation and coding skills, are preferred but not required.