Post-Doctoral Fellow - Microbiology and Immunology

The Chronicle Of Higher Education, Inc.; Richmond (VA); On-site; USD 63,480 - 65,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Fully onsite

Exempt status (FLSA)

40 hours per week

Job summary

Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine is seeking a Postdoctoral Associate in Microbiology and Immunology. The role focuses on intestinal immunity, host-microbiota interactions, and mucosal inflammation using immunology, microbiology, metabolism, and genetically engineered mouse models.

The candidate should hold a Ph.D. in Immunology, Microbiology, Biomedical Sciences, or related field, with experience in flow cytometry, tissue analysis, and molecular biology techniques.

Qualifications

• Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree in Immunology, Microbiology, Biomedical Sciences, Molecular Biology, Cell Biology, or another related life science discipline
• Demonstrated experience conducting biomedical research
• Experience with experimental design, execution, data analysis, and interpretation
• Strong laboratory and analytical skills
• Ability to maintain accurate scientific records and organize research data
• Ability to work independently and as part of a collaborative research team
• Strong written and oral communication skills
• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail
• Demonstrated ability to foster an environment of respect and professionalism at VCU

Responsibilities

• Conduct research in intestinal and mucosal immunology and related areas
• Design, perform, and analyze experiments investigating immune mechanisms
• Isolate and characterize immune cells from tissues using flow cytometry
• Develop and optimize experimental approaches to address research questions
• Contribute to manuscript preparation and scientific presentations
• Mentor junior laboratory members and participate in grant-related activities
• Maintain accurate laboratory notebooks and ensure data reproducibility
• Collaborate with team members and other laboratories on projects

Skills

Research planning

Independence

Collaboration

Scientific communication

Analytical skills

Documentation

Education

PhD in Immunology or Microbiology

Tools

Flow cytometry

PCR/qPCR

Western blotting

Genetically engineered mouse models

Job description

Advertising Summary: Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU)School of Medicine is a premier academic medical center located inthe heart of Richmond. Accounting for almost half of VCU’ssponsored research, the School of Medicine is internationallyrecognized for patient care and education. Virginia CommonwealthUniversity is an equal opportunity employer.

Unit: School Of Medicine MBU

Department: Microbiology and Immunology

Department Summary: Located on the MCV Campus in downtownRichmond, the Department of Microbiology and Immunology is home toa vibrant community of researchers, educators and learners. With astrong history of research funding, our department strives toadvance scientific knowledge in the biomedical sciences and informmedical advancements that improve patient outcomes. Our innovativestudies span a broad spectrum of areas within the fields ofmicrobiology and immunology:

• Allergy and autoimmunity
• Host-pathogen interactions and molecular pathogenesis
• Human microbiome science and microbial genomics
• Reproductive immunology
• T-cell therapy and vaccine development
• Tumor biology, cell signaling and epigenetics

As educators, we are proud to provide a collaborative, collegiallearning environment for our students. Faculty and postdoctoralfellows serve as dedicated mentors, providing an individualizededucational experience and shaping the next generation ofsuccessful scientists.

Position Summary

The Postdoctoral Associate will conduct research in the laboratoryof Dr. José Fachi in the Department of Microbiology and Immunologyat Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine. Thelaboratory investigates the cellular and molecular mechanisms thatregulate intestinal immunity, host-microbiota interactions, andmucosal inflammation. Research projects combine immunology,microbiology, metabolism, and genetically engineered mouse modelsto understand how immune cells communicate with the intestinalenvironment during homeostasis and disease.

The successful candidate should have a Ph.D. in Immunology,Microbiology, Biomedical Sciences, or a related field and a strongbackground in experimental biomedical research. Preference will begiven to candidates with experience in immunology, flow cytometricanalysis (FACS) of complex immune populations, geneticallyengineered mouse models, preparation and analysis of lymphoid andintestinal tissues, cell culture, and molecular biologytechniques.

The Postdoctoral Associate will be expected to conduct research with increasing independence, including experimental design andexecution, data analysis and interpretation, and development ofresearch projects in collaboration with the Principal Investigator.The candidate will also contribute to manuscript preparation,scientific presentations, grant-related research activities, andmentoring and training of junior laboratory members.

Duties & Responsibilities:

1.) Conduct research in intestinal and mucosal immunology

• Design, perform, and analyze experiments investigating thecellular and molecular mechanisms regulating intestinal immunityand host-microbiota interactions
• Isolate and characterize immune cells from intestinal andlymphoid tissues using multicolor and spectral flow cytometry
• Perform functional analyses of innate and adaptive immune cellpopulations
• Conduct experiments using genetically engineered mouse modelsand models of intestinal inflammation and infection
• Perform immunological, molecular, microbiological, and cellularanalyses
• Develop and optimize experimental approaches to addressresearch questions
• Analyze and interpret experimental results and troubleshootexperiments as needed

2.) Research development and scientific communication

• Develop research hypotheses and experimental strategies incollaboration with the Principal Investigator
• Review and critically evaluate relevant scientificliterature
• Analyze experimental data and prepare publication-qualityfigures
• Contribute to the preparation of manuscripts for publication inpeer-reviewed scientific journals
• Present research findings at laboratory meetings, departmentalseminars, and scientific conferences
• Contribute scientific data and writing to grant applicationsand research proposals
• Participate in collaborative research projects within andoutside the laboratory

3.) Maintaining proper research records and scientificrigor

• Maintain accurate and detailed laboratory notebooks andexperimental records
• Organize, analyze, and appropriately maintain researchdataEnsure reproducibility and appropriate documentation ofexperimental procedures and results
• Follow institutional requirements related to researchintegrity, laboratory safety, biosafety, and animal research
• Assist with the development and maintenance of experimentalprotocols and standard operating procedures

4.) Contribute to laboratory research and training

• Collaborate with other laboratory members on ongoing researchprojects
• Assist with training and mentoring students, technicians, andother junior laboratory personnel in experimental techniques andresearch practices
• Share expertise in relevant laboratory techniques, includingflow cytometry, mouse experimentation, tissue processing, andmolecular and cellular approaches
• Participate actively in laboratory meetings, journal clubs,seminars, and other departmental research activities
• Contribute to a collaborative and productive laboratoryenvironment

Qualifications:

Minimum Qualifications

• Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree in Immunology,Microbiology, Biomedical Sciences, Molecular Biology, Cell Biology,or another related life science discipline
• Demonstrated experience conducting biomedical research
• Experience with experimental design, execution, data analysis,and interpretation
• Strong laboratory and analytical skills
• Ability to maintain accurate scientific records and organizeresearch data
• Ability to work independently and as part of a collaborativeresearch team
• Strong written and oral communication skills
• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail
• Demonstrated ability to work in and foster an environment ofrespect, professionalism and civility with a population of faculty,staff, and students from all backgrounds and experiences, or acommitment to do so as a Post-Doctoral Fellow at VCU

Preferred Qualifications

• Research experience in immunology, microbiology, mucosalimmunology, or host-microbiota interactions
• Experience with FlowJo or other flow cytometry analysissoftware
• Experience with multicolor and/or spectral flow cytometry
• Experience working with genetically engineered mousemodels
• Experience isolating immune cells from lymphoid and/orintestinal tissues
• Experience with mouse models of intestinal inflammation and/orinfection
• Experience with tissue culture techniques
• Experience with PCR, qPCR, Western blotting, or other molecularbiology techniques
• Experience with data analysis and scientific figurepreparation
• Evidence of scientific productivity, including peer-reviewedpublications and/or presentations at scientific meetings
• Experience mentoring or training junior researchers

Salary Range: Starting at NIH minimum of $63,480 –$65,000

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 employeetype.

• FLSA Exemption Status: Exempt
• Hours per Week: 40
• ORP Eligible: Yes
• This is a restricted position with no set end date; continued employment is dependent upon project need, availability of funding,and performance.
• Flexible Work Arrangement: Fully Onsite
• University Job Title: Post-Doctoral Fellow

Contact Information:

Contact Email: [e-mail]