Clinical Postdoctoral Associate

The Chronicle Of Higher Education, Inc.; Roanoke (VA); On-site; USD 57,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

Virginia Tech's Fralin Biomedical Research Institute in Roanoke seeks a Clinical Research Postdoctoral Associate to plan, coordinate, implement, and oversee studies on psychosis spectrum disorders. Under the PI, you will conduct independent and collaborative research, contributing to protocol development, data analysis, and dissemination of findings.

This role offers opportunities to develop research independence, publish work, present at conferences, and collaborate with multidisciplinary

Qualifications

• Ph.D. in biology, neuroscience, or related field; awarded within the last four years with at least one year remaining.
• Solid background in developmental biology, neurophysiology, or molecular biology.
• Evidence of independent experimental design and data analysis.
• Strong documentation and organizational skills.
• Ability to work independently and in a multi-project lab with good communication.

Responsibilities

• Plan, coordinate, implement and oversee clinical research studies per protocols and regulations.
• Design, analyze, and disseminate study results and engage with multidisciplinary teams.
• Develop research independence through publications, conferences, and grant development.

Skills

Independent design

Data analysis

Communication

Time management

Collaboration

Education

PhD in biology/neuroscience/related

Job description

Job Description

The Patient Research Center (PRC) at the Fralin Biomedical ResearchInstitute will conduct research to advance human health andidentify new ways of diagnosing and treating illnesses. Our firsteffort is focused on addressing the unmet needs in serious mentalillness. To that end, we will focus on psychosis spectrumdisorders, including schizophrenia, schizoaffective and bipolardisorders. We will establish a program for deeply characterizingthe biology and information processing changes of affectedindividuals and their response to different treatments. ResearchTechniques will include behavioral measurements, fMRI, EEG andorganoid ex-vivo modeling, and measurements will be collectedlongitudinally. Our goal is to create stratification that willmeaningfully inform the future of precision medicine for psychoticdisorders.

The Clinical Research Postdoctoral Associate plays a significantrole in the planning, coordination, implementation, and oversightof clinical research studies in accordance with study protocols,regulatory requirements, institutional policies, and applicablefederal guidelines. Working under the guidance of the PrincipalInvestigator (PI), the Postdoctoral Associate conducts independentand collaborative research activities focused on advancingscientific knowledge and improving clinical outcomes.

The successful candidate will contribute to the design,implementation, analysis, and dissemination of clinical researchstudies while gaining expertise in research methodologies, clinicalprotocols, regulatory processes, data analysis, and scientificcommunication. This position provides opportunities to developresearch independence through scholarly publications, conferencepresentations, grant development, and collaboration withmultidisciplinary research teams.

Position requires local travel between Roanoke and New River Valleylocations. Position requires pre-employment conviction, driving,and drug-panel screening.

Required Qualifications

• Ph.D. in biology, neuroscience, or related field. Ph.D. must beawarded no more than four years prior to the effective date ofappointment with a minimum of one year eligibility remaining.
• Possess a solid background in developmental biology,neurophysiology, or molecular biology.
• Evidence of independent experimental design, data analysis, andclear presentation of results.
• Strong documentation skills and organizational/time managementabilities.
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively in a fastpaced, multi project lab, with strong communication skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in one or more of the following research areas:neuroscience, biology, or genetics.
• Experience with basic laboratory protocols including properhandling of mice and their behavior, molecular biology, datacollection, and data management.
• Experience contributing to manuscripts or scientificpresentations; familiarity with grant relevant datapackaging.
• Familiarity with relevant biosafety and compliance processes(IBC/IACUC/EHS/DEA)
• Experience working in a clinical research setting.

Overtime Status

Exempt: Not eligible for overtime

Appointment Type

Restricted

Salary Information

Starting at $63,480; Commensurate with Experience

Hours per week

40+

Review Date

8/12/26

About Virginia Tech

Dedicated to its motto, Ut Prosim (That I May Serve),Virginia Tech pushes the boundaries of knowledge by taking ahands-on, transdisciplinary approach to preparing scholars to beleaders and problem-solvers. A comprehensive land-grant institutionthat enhances the quality of life in Virginia and throughout theworld, Virginia Tech is an inclusive community dedicated to knowledge, discovery, andcreativity. The university offers more than 280 majors to a diverseenrollment of more than 36,000 undergraduate, graduate, andprofessional students in eight undergraduate colleges, a school of medicine, a veterinary medicine college, Graduate School, and Honors College. The university has a significant presenceacross Virginia, including Blacksburg, the greater Washington, D.C.area, the Health Sciences and Technology Campus in Roanoke, sitesin Newport News and Richmond, and numerous Extension offices andresearch institutes. A leading global research institution,Virginia Tech conducts more than $650 million in researchannually. Virginia Tech endorses and encourages participation in professionaldevelopment opportunities and university shared governance. These valuablecontributions to university shared governance provide importantrepresentation and perspective, along with opportunities for uniqueand impactful professional development. Virginia Tech does not discriminate against employees, students, orapplicants on the basis of age, color, disability, sex (includingpregnancy), gender, gender identity, gender expression, geneticinformation, ethnicity or national origin, political affiliation,race, religion, sexual orientation, or military status, orotherwise discriminate against employees or applicants who inquireabout, discuss, or disclose their compensation or the compensationof other employees or applicants, or on any other basis protectedby law. If you are an individual with a disability and desire anaccommodation, please contact Brittany Shelton at [e-mail] during regular business hours at least 10business days prior to the event.