Molecular Virology & Microbiology - Ling (Instructor)

Women In Science; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Baylor College of Medicine in Houston is seeking an Instructor to join the EEHV mRNA vaccine program, advancing second-generation EEHV vaccine candidates from preclinical development through field evaluation with AZA-accredited zoos and international partners.

The role involves grant development, mentorship of trainees, and dissemination of findings at national and international conferences, reporting to the Principal Investigator.

Qualifications

• Ph.D. in virology, immunology, microbiology, molecular biology, or a related biomedical field.
• Postdoctoral training in virology, immunology, and/or vaccine development in wildlife or zoological species.
• Experience with molecular biology, immunological assay development, and/or serology techniques related to elephants or wildlife.
• Record of scientific presentations and peer-reviewed publications.
• Experience mentoring or supervising trainees preferred.
• Experience with grant writing and/or extramural funding applications preferred.

Responsibilities

• Expand EEHV vaccine research to design and produce second-generation vaccine candidates.
• Conduct preclinical studies in mouse models to evaluate immunogenicity and performance.
• Collaborate with veterinarians and zoo staff to implement vaccines in elephants at institutions nationwide and abroad.
• Assist with grant development and submission; mentor postdocs and trainees; present findings at conferences.

Skills

Mentoring

Grant writing

Publications

Education

Ph.D. in virology, immunology, microbiology, molecular biology, or a related biomedical field

Job description

Baylor College of Medicine

Houston, TX

Summary

Job Description

The Department of Molecular Virology & Microbiology is seeking an Instructor to join its mRNA vaccine research program targeting elephant endotheliotropic herpesvirus (EEHV), the leading infectious cause of mortality in young Asian elephants worldwide. This position supports the laboratory's "Bench to Barn" initiative, which spans vaccine design, preclinical evaluation, and field implementation in partnership with AZA-accredited zoological institutions, veterinary collaborators, and international range-country partners. The Instructor will play a central role in advancing second-generation EEHV vaccine candidates from preclinical development through field-based evaluation, while contributing to grant development, mentorship of trainees, and dissemination of research findings. The Instructor will work in laboratory research setting within the Department of Molecular Virology & Microbiology at Baylor College of Medicine, with field-based components conducted in collaboration with AZA-accredited zoos and international range-country institutions. The Instructor will report to the Principal Investigator of the EEHV mRNA vaccine research program. Specific responsibilities include, expansion EEHV vaccine research to design and produce second-generation vaccine candidates, conduct preclinical studies in mouse models to evaluate the immunogenicity and performance of second-generation EEHV vaccines, collaborate with veterinarians and zoo staff to implement and evaluate EEHV vaccines in elephants at institutions across the United States and in EEHV range countries, collaborate with range-country partners to establish and apply serology assays for evaluating vaccine response and identifying EEHV-vulnerable elephants, and prepare and submit any relevant early-career grant applications to support independent and collaborative research directions. In addition the candidate will assist in the development and writing of research grant applications, assist with training and mentoring incoming postdoctoral fellows and other laboratory personnel, assist with supervision of summer students and other short-term trainees, assist with the production, organization, and tracking of vaccine batches and pre-/post-vaccination elephant samples, and present research findings at national and international scientific conferences.

Minimum Qualifications

• Ph.D. in virology, immunology, microbiology, molecular biology, or a related biomedical field.
• Postdoctoral research training/fellowship in virology, immunology, and/or vaccine development in wild-life and zoological animal species.
• Demonstrated experience in molecular biology, immunological assay development, and/or serology techniques related to elephants or other wild life.
• Record of scientific presentations and peer-reviewed publications.
• Experience mentoring or supervising trainees preferred.
• Experience with grant writing and/or extramural funding applications preferred.

Work Authorization Requirement

This position is not eligible for visa sponsorship. Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the United States at the time of application and throughout the duration of employment.

Baylor College of Medicine is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action/Equal Access Employer.

Baylor College of Medicine fosters diversity among its students, trainees, faculty and staff as a prerequisite to accomplishing our institutional mission, and setting standards for excellence in training healthcare providers and biomedical scientists, promoting scientific innovation, and providing patient-centered care.

- Diversity, respect, and inclusiveness create an environment that is conducive to academic excellence, and strengthens our institution by increasing talent, encouraging creativity, and ensuring a broader perspective.

- Diversity helps position Baylor to reduce disparities in health and healthcare access and to better address the needs of the community we serve.

- Baylor is committed to recruiting and retaining outstanding students, trainees, faculty and staff from diverse backgrounds by providing a welcoming, supportive learning environment for all members of the Baylor community.