Postdoctoral Research Associate, Charlton Lab - Pediatrics

The Rector & Visitors of the University of Virginia; Charlottesville (VA); On-site; USD 57,000 - 70,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Full benefits

Job summary

The University of Virginia in Charlottesville invites applications for a Postdoctoral Research Associate in the Charlton Laboratory. The role focuses on kidney development, neonatal kidney disease, and long-term outcomes of early-life kidney injury, with emphasis on animal models, histology, and molecular biology.

Collaboration with human biospecimen work and mentoring of trainees is encouraged. The position is full-time, on-site, with starting compensation at $63,480 and a benefits package.

Qualifications

• PhD with a research emphasis is required at time of hire.
• Experience with laboratory animals, including handling mice and basic experimental procedures.
• Strong interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills.
• Ability to work effectively as part of a team.
• Interest in teaching, mentoring, and working with undergraduate students, graduate students, medical trainees, or other learners.

Responsibilities

• Perform animal research procedures, including animal handling, monitoring, breeding, genotyping, tissue collection, and maintenance of accurate study records.
• Conduct histologic studies, including tissue fixation, processing, embedding, sectioning, staining, immunohistochemistry, immunofluorescence, microscopy, and quantitative image analysis.
• Perform molecular and cellular laboratory techniques, which may include DNA/RNA extraction, PCR and quantitative PCR, protein isolation, Western blotting, ELISA, and preparation of samples for sequencing or other assays.
• Process, catalog, store, and analyze human biospecimens in accordance with approved protocols and institutional safety and regulatory requirements.
• Maintain accurate laboratory notebooks, electronic databases, specimen inventories, and animal records.
• Assist with experimental design, protocol development, troubleshooting, data collection, analysis, and presentation.
• Maintain laboratory equipment, monitor supply inventories, prepare reagents, and coordinate ordering.
• Support compliance with animal care, biosafety, human-subjects research, and other institutional requirements.
• Train and supervise students and other laboratory members in research techniques, laboratory safety, recordkeeping, and responsible conduct of research.
• Work closely with the principal investigator, research staff, students, clinical collaborators, and other laboratories to advance shared research goals.
• Contribute to abstracts, presentations, manuscripts, and grant-related materials as appropriate.

Skills

Animal models

Histology

Molecular biology

Human biospecimens

Experiment design

Data collection

Data analysis

Mentoring trainees

Education

PhD in a relevant field

Tools

PCR

qPCR

Western blotting

ELISA

Job description

The University of Virginia's Department of Pediatrics is seeking a Postdoctoral Research Associate. The Charlton Laboratory seeks a highly motivated, collaborative Postdoc to support laboratory research focused on kidney development, neonatal kidney disease, and the long-term consequences of early-life kidney injury. The successful candidate will have experience with animal models, histology, and molecular biology and be willing to learn or has experience working with human biospecimens. This position requires excellent organizational and communication skills, careful attention to detail, and a strong commitment to teamwork and mentoring trainees.

Postdoctoral employment is temporary and is normally limited to an individual who has been awarded a Ph.D. or equivalent doctorate within the previous five years and who will be involved in full-time research or scholarship at the University. Employment as a Postdoctoral Research Associate is viewed as training and is preparatory for a full-time academic or research career, is supervised by a senior scholar, and allows the appointee to publish the results of his/her research or scholarship during the training period.

Key Responsibilities:

• Perform animal research procedures, including animal handling, monitoring, breeding, genotyping, tissue collection, and maintenance of accurate study records.
• Conduct histologic studies, including tissue fixation, processing, embedding, sectioning, staining, immunohistochemistry, immunofluorescence, microscopy, and quantitative image analysis.
• Perform molecular and cellular laboratory techniques, which may include DNA/RNA extraction, PCR and quantitative PCR, protein isolation, Western blotting, ELISA, and preparation of samples for sequencing or other assays.
• Process, catalog, store, and analyze human biospecimens in accordance with approved protocols and institutional safety and regulatory requirements.
• Maintain accurate laboratory notebooks, electronic databases, specimen inventories, and animal records.
• Assist with experimental design, protocol development, troubleshooting, data collection, analysis, and presentation.
• Maintain laboratory equipment, monitor supply inventories, prepare reagents, and coordinate ordering.
• Support compliance with animal care, biosafety, human-subjects research, and other institutional requirements.
• Train and supervise students and other laboratory members in research techniques, laboratory safety, recordkeeping, and responsible conduct of research.
• Work closely with the principal investigator, research staff, students, clinical collaborators, and other laboratories to advance shared research goals.
• Contribute to abstracts, presentations, manuscripts, and grant-related materials as appropriate.

Role Characteristics:

• An enthusiastic and dependable team player who contributes to a respectful, supportive, and collaborative laboratory environment.
• A patient and effective teacher who enjoys working with students at different levels of experience.
• Willing and able to work with both animal models and human biological samples.
• Highly organized, detail-oriented, and committed to scientific rigor and reproducibility.
• Able to manage multiple projects, prioritize responsibilities, and meet deadlines.
• Comfortable working independently while communicating regularly with the research team.
• Willing to learn new techniques, troubleshoot experiments, and adapt to changing project needs.
• Demonstrates professionalism, integrity, reliability, and respect for colleagues and research participants.

Minimum Qualifications:

PhD with a research emphasis is required at time of hire.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience with laboratory animals, including handling mice and basic experimental procedures.
• Strong interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills.
• Ability to work effectively as part of a team.
• Interest in teaching, mentoring, and working with undergraduate students, graduate students, medical trainees, or other learners.

Anticipated Compensation:

Starting at $63,480, commensurate with education and experience.

Physical Demands

This position can spend extensive periods of time standing and squatting while conducting experiments or caring for animals. Also requires keyboarding and other bench work and animal procedures requiring finer finger manipulation.

Position Type & Work Location:

• This is a full-time, benefited position. Learn more about UVA benefits.
• This is a restricted position, which is dependent on continuation of available funding.
• This position is based in Charlottesville, VA, and must be performed fully on-site.

To learn more about UVA and in the Charlottesville area, visit UVA Life and Embark CVA.

Additional Requirements:

• Background checks and health screenings will be conducted on all new hires.
• This position will consider candidates who require immigration sponsorship now or in the future.

The University of Virginia is an equal opportunity employer. All interested persons are encouraged to apply, including veterans and individuals with disabilities. Learn more about UVA's commitment to non-discrimination and equal opportunity employment.