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 cooperative, 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

📌 Postdoctoral Researcher (Toronto)
🏢 Synth-Med Biotechnology
📍 Toronto