Postdoctoral Researcher

The position

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

• Independent hiPSC culture experience.

• 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

How to apply

For your application:

please complete this form:

https://forms.office.com/r/YeY66vA3BE

and upload a cover letter and CV here:

https://synthmed.sharepoint.com/:f:/s/Hiring/IgDZWinpfd1vQ5ojXU6VO2t_AaXXf_W9wKPc0qEXZsLYwcU