Post-Doctoral Fellow - Cellular, Molecular and Genetic Medicine

Virginia Commonwealth University; Virginia (MN); On-site; USD 57,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) School of Medicine, Richmond, VA, invites applications for a Post-Doctoral Fellow in the Cellular, Molecular and Genetic Medicine program. The role focuses on studying calcium release channels in skeletal and cardiac muscles using biochemistry, cell biology, and cryo-EM structural approaches.

The successful candidate will design experiments, analyze data, and contribute to manuscripts while collaborating with the lab team and mentor junior researchers.

Qualifications

• PhD required in a relevant field with strong scholarly record.
• Experience designing and executing biochemical/biophysical experiments.
• Familiarity with cryo-EM or structural biology is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Design and execute experiments, analyze data, and independently interpret results.
• Communicate progress with the Principal Investigator.
• Follow SOPs and maintain detailed lab records.

Skills

Experimental design

Data analysis

Manuscript writing

Mentoring

Independent work

Education

PhD in Biochemistry, Chemistry, or related field

Tools

Cryo-EM

Structural biology

Job description

Advertising Summary:

Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) School of Medicine is a premier academic medical center located in the heart of Richmond. Accounting for almost half of VCU's sponsored research, the School of Medicine is internationally recognized for patient care and education. Virginia Commonwealth University is an equal opportunity employer.

Unit:

School Of Medicine MBU

Department:

Cellular, Molecular and Genetic Medicine

Department Summary:

The Department of Cellular, Molecular and Genetic Medicine is dedicated to unraveling the fundamental biology that supports health and drives disease. Our faculty, trainees and students tackle some of the most pressing challenges in biomedical science, from the molecular and genetic roots of disease to the complexities of whole-body physiology.
Our foundational studies are driving the frontiers of scientific discovery, pushing the boundaries of what we understand about biology, disease and the human body. From our labs in downtown Richmond to research collaborations around the world, our work is generating new knowledge, influencing the direction of biological science and redefining what is possible in biomedical research.
We are proud to be a community of passionate educators and mentors, deeply committed to empowering the next generation of scientists and leaders. With alumni enjoying successful careers across a broad spectrum of industries, our rigorous training programs offer students a transformative education that drives innovation today and creates lasting impact for tomorrow.

Position Summary:

A Postdoctoral position is available immediately in the Samso Lab to study structural and functional aspects of a calcium release channel in the context of skeletal and cardiac muscles using biochemistry, cell biology, and 3D structural determination using cryo-electron microscopy. The goal of the project is to gain mechanistic insight into the factors affecting intracellular calcium and cell excitability.

Please see https://medschool.vcu.edu/about/portfolio/details/msamso/ for further details.

Duties & Responsibilities:

• Ability to design project(s), carry out experiments, analyze data, and interpret results independently
• Communicate periodically with the Principal Investigator
• Follow standard operating procedures established in the laboratory
• Maintain clear and detailed documentation through electronic and hand-written means
• Write scientific manuscripts
• Present results and national and international meetings
• Ability to collaborate with lab members
• Mentor junior members of the lab

Qualifications:

Minimum Qualifications

• The candidate must have a PhD degree in Biochemistry, Chemistry, or a related field
• Record of scholarly achievement

Preferred Qualifications

• Prior experience in cryo-EM or structural biology

Salary Range:

Commensurate starting at $63,480

Benefits

All VCU employee types are eligible for a wide array of benefits to support you during your employment at VCU. Consult the benefits website for information on benefits eligibility according to employee type.

FLSA Exemption Status:

Exempt

Hours per Week:

40

ORP Eligible:

Yes

Flexible Work Arrangement:

No

Restricted Position:

Yes

Sensitive Position:

No

University Job Title:

Post-Doctoral Fellow

Contact Information:

Contact Email: [e-mail]