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Position Summary:
This position will support the work of a funded research laboratory in the Department of Microbiology and Immunology. The successful applicant will be an integral senior member of a team seeking to develop vaccines and diagnostic assays for Ehrlichiosis, Anaplasmosis and Lyme disease. The applicant will develop, conduct, coordinate, and supervise research activities focused on tick-borne diseases. Besides expertise in microscopy, immunochemistry, immunoblotting, ELISA, bacterial cultivation (specifically of Anaplasma, Ehrlichia and Borreliella), and molecular biological (PCR, qPCR, cloning, gene synthesis) techniques, the applicant must have expertise in performing procedures with mice and rats. Demonstrated experience in protein purification (soluble and insoluble), and protein analysis (thermafluor assays, size exclusion chromatography, HPLC, FPLC, gene design, gene synthesis, circular and dichroism). The position requires creativity, high motivation, and solid record keeping and communication skills. The applicant must be able to work independently as well as part of a team resolving routine-to-complex issues.
Core Responsibilities:
- Design and perform experiments within the planned timeframe. Depending on the task, the applicant may work independently, as a member of a team, or direct members of the laboratory team to perform experiments
- Analyze and interpret data, draw conclusions, and be able to strategically plan the next step in coordination with the PI as appropriate
- Keep detailed and organized records of the work, the methodology, and the outcomes
- Use appropriate templates/software to record data, analyze (including statistical analyses) and interpret data
- Use appropriate software to generate and present findings in a variety of media, including scientific posters, platform presentations, and publications
- Write manuscript drafts or complete manuscripts and participate in authorship
- Participate as Key Personnel on Federal grant applications
- Work with lab members to ensure that the lab is clean and safe and that equipment is appropriately maintained and in working order
- Perform assigned maintenance tasks related to your work (e.g., periodic cleaning of cell culture incubators, defrosting freezers, recalibration of equipment)
- Adhere to federal and state regulations related to workplace safety and DEA compliance
- Work independently as appropriate and professionally and efficiently within a research group
Minimum Hiring Standards:
- Ph.D. in biomedical science
- Direct experience cultivating Anaplasma, Ehrlichia and Borreliella
- Spoken and written communication skills that facilitate interaction with PI and other lab members
- Demonstrated ability to advance their research to publication
- Extensive direct experience with mice and rats
- Demonstrated experience working in and fostering an environment of respect, professionalism and civility with a population of faculty, staff, and students from various backgrounds and experiences, or a commitment to do so as a Post-Doctoral Fellow at VCU
Preferred Qualifications:
- Must have experience in cultivating Anaplasma and Ehrlichia
- Must have experience working with rodents
- Direct experience with HPLC and FPLC and other protein purification approaches
The School of Medicine continuously strives for our workplace and learning environment to reflect the demographic and social milieu of the communities we serve. All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply.
This is a restricted position with no set end date and continued employment is dependent upon project need, availability of funding, and performance.
ORP Eligible: yes
VCU is committed to hiring veterans! VCU will include a veteran’s period(s) of military service in the calculation of their annual leave accrual rate. This may provide veterans with an increased leave accrual!
Salary Range: Commensurate with experience starting at $61,008
Position Details:
Department: Microbiology and Immunology
Employment Type: PD – Post Doc
Restricted Status: Yes
FTE: 100
Exemption Status: Exempt
Contact Information:
Contact Name: SOM HR
Contact Email:
Contact Phone: