[Hiring] Senior Scientist - Human Physiology Systems @Columbus Technologies and Services Inc

Role Description

In this role, you will collaborate with the ARPA-H Program Manager and team to effectuate bold ARPA-H research initiatives, support the development, funding, and management of new and existing R&D programs to meet ARPA-H's mission to accelerate better health outcomes for everyone. This role will support the management of programs and projects in topics pertaining to human physiology systems.

The ideal candidate will have appropriate technical training in human physiology systems and will bring deep technical expertise in regenerative medicine and/or transplantation, along with the ability to assess emerging technologies in the context of clinical workflow, manufacturability, regulatory constraints, and real-world implementation. This role is best suited for an individual who is scientifically rigorous, comfortable operating across disciplines, and able to translate between basic science, engineering development, and clinical/transplant operational realities.

The successful candidate will help ARPA-H engage high-potential technical approaches at the intersection of bioengineering, transplantation, and advanced therapeutic manufacturing. This role requires someone who can bridge science, engineering, and implementation realities to support ambitious, high-impact programs.

These SETA duties include but are not limited to:

• Provide technical and strategic support across a portfolio of programs related to tissue and organoid manufacturing, tissue and organ preservation, ex vivo organ perfusion and diagnostics, and other translational technologies relevant to tissue and organ recovery, preservation, and transplantation.
• Evaluate technologies in the context of clinical and operational realities, including donor tissue and organ recovery, preservation logistics, perfusion-enabled assessment/intervention, and transplant-center workflow.
• Conduct landscape analyses and technical diligence on emerging capabilities, vendors, performers, and scientific trends and advise on the scientific plausibility, translational feasibility, manufacturability, and adoption potential of proposed approaches.
• Provide insight into how innovations may intersect with the broader transplant ecosystem, including organ procurement organizations, transplant centers, and applicable federal regulators and stakeholders.
• Maintain awareness of relevant scientific, clinical, regulatory, and market developments.
• Review and assess technical proposals, performer submissions, milestones, deliverables, and program risks. Provide feedback, organize reviewer comments, draft recommendations and project summaries, and presentation materials.
• Help identify subject-matter experts, potential performers, test/evaluation partners, and transition stakeholders across academia, industry, clinical practice, and government.
• Assist in program management functions, including preparing for technical meetings, conducting site visits, consolidating performer progress, identifying schedule risks, and creating briefing materials.
• Some CONUS travel is expected (10 to 20 percent) as needed to fully support the Program Manager and Program.

Qualifications

• Advanced degree in a relevant field, such as: PhD in physiology, systems biology, bioengineering, tissue engineering, regenerative medicine, or related discipline; or MD with significant experience in transplantation, organ preservation, transplant surgery, transplant medicine, or a closely related field.
• Experience synthesizing complex scientific information into concise written and visual products for decision support.
• Demonstrated subject-matter expertise in one or more of the following: organ preservation, ex vivo organ perfusion and diagnostics, transplant biology, regenerative medicine, translational bioengineering.
• Ability to critically evaluate technical data, experimental plans, and development pathways.
• Team-oriented with strong interpersonal skills and the ability to work across multidisciplinary teams.
• Experience supporting complex R&D efforts involving academic, clinical, and/or industrial stakeholders.
• Must be able to obtain a federal government Public Trust clearance.

Desired Skills

• Direct experience in transplantation, including clinical, translational, or operational work related to donor organ recovery, preservation, allocation, or implantation.
• Experience working in or with: HRSA, OPTN/UNOS, organ procurement organizations (OPOs), transplant centers, tissue banks or organ recovery networks or programs involving cross-sector coordination.
• Familiarity with the practical and policy dimensions of the U.S. transplant ecosystem.
• Experience with organ perfusion technologies for assessment, preservation, repair, or treatment of donor organs.
• Experience with translational and commercialization challenges, including manufacturability, quality systems, reimbursement context, regulatory considerations, and clinical adoption barriers.