Postdoctoral Fellow — Brain Immunology & Synapse Loss

Virginia Tech; Blacksburg (VA); Hybrid; USD 55,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

The Blader Laboratory at Virginia Tech is seeking a postdoctoral fellow to continue groundbreaking work on how brain infections cause neuronal complications, including seizures. The project focuses on why inhibitory synapses are eliminated during infection and which cells and proteins mediate this process.

Applicants should hold a Ph.D. in microbiology, neuroscience, immunology, or a related field and have strong potential for independent, publishable research.

Qualifications

• Ph.D. must be awarded no more than four years prior to appointment, with at least one year remaining.
• Experience with rodent models of infection and neurological techniques is preferred.
• Publication record in peer-reviewed journals is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Continue research on how infections eliminate inhibitory synapses and identify the cells and proteins mediating this process.
• Determine why inhibitory synapses are eliminated and publish findings.

Skills

Rodent models experience

Publication record

Education

Ph.D. in microbiology, neuroscience, immunology, or related field

Job description

Job Description

The Blader Laboratory studies how infections in the brain cause neuronal complications such as seizures. We reported that when mice are infected with the protozoan parasite that the majority of their inhibitory synapses are eliminated through phagocytosis. A postdoctoral fellow is being recruit to continue our studies and discover why inhibitory synapses are specifically eliminated and what are the neuronal and/or immunological cells and proteins that mediate inhibitory synapses elimination.

Required Qualifications

- Ph.D. in microbiology, neuroscience, immunology, or a related field. Ph.D. must be awarded no more than four years prior to the effective date of appointment, with a minimum of one year eligibility remaining.

Preferred Qualifications

- Experience with rodent models of infection and/or neurological techniques.
- Publication record in peer-reviewed journals.

Pay Band

Faculty; Salary

Overtime Status

Exempt: Not eligible for overtime

Appointment Type

Restricted

Salary Information

Commensurate with experience

Hours per week

40+

Review Date

March 18, 2026

Additional Information

The successful candidate will be required to have a criminal conviction check.

About Virginia Tech

Dedicated to its motto,Ut Prosim(That I May Serve), Virginia Tech pushes the boundaries of knowledge by taking a hands-on, transdisciplinary approach to preparing scholars to be leaders and problem-solvers. A comprehensive land-grant institution that enhances the quality of life in Virginia and throughout the world, Virginia Tech is aninclusive communitydedicated to knowledge, discovery, and creativity. The university offers more than 280 majors to a diverse enrollment of more than 36,000 undergraduate, graduate, and professional students in eightundergraduate colleges, aschool of medicine, aveterinary medicinecollege,Graduate School, andHonors College.The university has a significant presence across Virginia, including Blacksburg, the greater Washington, D.C. area, the Health Sciences and Technology Campus in Roanoke, sites in Newport News and Richmond, and numerousExtension officesandresearch institutes.A leading global research institution, Virginia Tech conducts more than $650 million in research annually.

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