Position Description:

The Sun Laboratory at the University of Iowa College of Dentistry, Iowa Institute of Oral Health Research is seeking a full-time Postdoctoral Research Scholar to:

Responsibilities will include:

• Lead independent research projects in biomaterials, drug delivery, and craniofacial tissue regeneration.


• Design, conduct, and troubleshoot in vitro and in vivo experiments.


• Collect, analyze, interpret, and present research data.


• Prepare manuscripts, grant proposals, and research reports.


• Collaborate with laboratory members and external collaborators in a multidisciplinary research environment.


• Mentor dental, graduate, and undergraduate students and assist with research training.


• Support routine laboratory operations, regulatory compliance, and research coordination.


• Contribute to the development of innovative research directions and translational therapeutic strategies.

Our research group is dedicated to developing innovative biomimetic biomaterials and local drug delivery-based translational strategies for craniofacial tissue regeneration, particularly under challenging pathological conditions. We integrate principles from biomaterials science, nanotechnology, immunology, and regenerative medicine to create next-generation therapeutic approaches for tissue repair and regeneration. Current research projects focus on the development of:

• Metabolite-based functional polymers and 3D scaffolds for immunometabolic regulation and tissue regeneration;


• Injectable dynamic hydrogels and nanocomplexes for localized, sustained delivery of bioactive agents, including nucleic acids, small molecules, and proteins;


• Stem cell-derived nanovesicles and secretome-based therapeutics for targeted delivery and intercellular communication.

These biomaterial platforms are being investigated to modulate the immune and metabolic microenvironment and promote bone regeneration under conditions including, Chronic inflammation, Aging, Radiation-induced tissue damage, Hypoxia, and other pathological challenges that impair tissue healing. For more information and recent publications please visit, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/myncbi/hongli.sun.1/bibliography/public/ and https://honglisun.lab.uiowa.edu/.

Initial term of appointment is one year; may be extended if funding is available and satisfactory progress is made.  Postdoctoral Research Scholars (FP01) are temporary, at-will appointments at The University of Iowa. The postdoctoral experience at the University of Iowa will typically not extend beyond five years.

PLEASE NOTE:  If your H-1B petition is subject to the September 19, 2025, Presidential Proclamation, please note that the department will NOT cover the $100,000 payment associated with H-1B sponsorship, either at the time of hire or for international travel purposes. We encourage you to explore alternative pathways for work authorization.

• Ph.D. degree in Biomedical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Materials Science & Engineering, Materials Science, Engineering, Cell Biology, Immunology, Biomedical Sciences, or a closely related field.

• Strong record of scholarly achievement, including at least one first-author peer-reviewed publication in a relevant field in last two years.


• Expertise in one or more of the following areas:
  
  
  
  • Tissue engineering and bone or dental tissue regeneration,
  
  
  • osteoimmunology and/or immunometabolism/bone cellular and molecular biology, or
  
  
  • biomaterials development for drug delivery and tissue regeneration.
  
  
  
  


• Experience working independently while contributing effectively within a highly collaborative and interdisciplinary research environment.


• Excellent oral, written, and interpersonal communication skills.

HIGHLY Desirable Qualifications:

• Demonstrated expertise in one or more of the following areas:
  
  
  
  • Bone and craniofacial tissue engineering,
  
  
  • Molecular and cellular biology techniques,
  
  
  • Mammalian cell culture and stem cell biology,
  
  
  • Small-animal surgical models, including periodontitis, periodontal bone defects, irradiated bone defects, and other craniofacial disease models,
  
  
  • Nanoparticle- and biomaterial-based local drug delivery systems for the controlled delivery of small molecules, nucleic acids, proteins, and peptides,
  
  
  • Biomaterials and tissue engineering approaches for regenerative medicine, including hydrogel- and scaffold-based therapeutic platforms, or
  
  
  • Experience collaborating across disciplines.
  
  
  
  

Desirable Qualifications:

• Experience with:
  
  
  
  • Biodegradable polymer synthesis, modification, and characterization,
  
  
  • Surface functionalization and physicochemical characterization of biomaterials,
  
  
  • Advanced biomaterial characterization techniques, including SEM, TEM, AFM, FT-IR, UV/Vis, XPS, DLS, confocal microscopy, flow cytometry, HPLC, rheometry, and DSC,
  
  
  • Extracellular vesicles, cell-derived nanovesicles, or related therapeutic delivery systems,
  
  
  • Immunometabolism, osteoimmunology, and biomaterial-mediated immune modulation, and
  
  
  • Design of metabolite-based biomaterials and translational nanomedicine platforms.
  
  
  
  


• Experience applying critical thinking skills to solve complex scientific problems.


• Strong organizational skills.