Molecular Virology & Microbiology - Ling (Instructor)

Baylor College of Medicine; Town of Texas (WI); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

The Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, TX invites applications for an Instructor in the Department of Molecular Virology & Microbiology to join a translational EEHV mRNA vaccine program. The role integrates lab-based design and preclinical work with field collaborations at zoos and international partners.

The successful candidate will lead vaccine research expansion, perform preclinical studies, contribute to grant writing, mentoring, and disseminate findings at conferences, reporting to the

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 wildlife and zoological species.
• Experience with grant writing and/or extramural funding applications preferred.
• Demonstrated experience in molecular biology, immunological assay development, and/or serology techniques related to elephants or wildlife.
• Record of scientific presentations and peer-reviewed publications.

Responsibilities

• Expand EEHV vaccine research to design and produce second-generation vaccine candidates.
• Conduct preclinical studies in mouse models to evaluate immunogenicity and performance of EEHV vaccines.
• Collaborate with veterinarians and zoo staff to implement and evaluate EEHV vaccines in elephants in the US and range countries.
• Collaborate with range-country partners to establish serology assays for evaluating vaccine response.
• Prepare and submit early-career grant applications to support independent and collaborative research directions.
• Assist in development and writing of research grant applications.
• Mentor incoming postdocs and lab personnel; supervise summer students and trainees.
• Oversee production, organization, and tracking of vaccine batches and elephant samples.
• Present research findings at national and international conferences.

Skills

Mentoring or supervising trainees

Grant writing

Scientific presentations

Education

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

Job description

Molecular Virology - Ling (Instructor)

Division: Molecular Virology and Microbiology

Location: Houston, TX

Salary Range:

FLSA Status: Exempt

Work Arrangement:

Work Schedule:

Summary

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.

Responsibilities

• 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
• Prepare and submit any relevant early-career grant applications to support independent and collaborative research directions
• 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
• 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.

Diversity and Inclusion Statement

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