Research Assistant

Virginia Tech; Blacksburg (VA); Hybrid; USD 27,000 - 35,000; Full time

Job summary

Virginia Tech's Gilbertie Lab in the Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine seeks a Research Assistant to manage general laboratory operations and support graduate students on antimicrobial peptide projects.

The role includes maintaining equipment and facilities, organizing supplies, and assisting experiments in a fast-paced academic environment. A BS in a life science and microbiology experience are required.

Qualifications

• Must be flexible and enjoy fast-paced research environment.
• Must be an effective communicator and understand English as a primary language.
• Must have U.S. citizenship (cannot support or sponsor working visas).
• Must have experience working in a microbiology laboratory and with BSL-2 pathogens.
• Must have experience with protein/peptide separation.
• Must have experience in drug discovery.
• BS in Biology, Biochemistry, Chemistry or a related field.

Responsibilities

• Complete general laboratory operations and aid in graduate students’ projects.
• Maintain the laboratory and instrumentation for these projects.
• Provide graduate student experimental support.
• Be in charge of laboratory organization and cleanliness.
• Be in charge of ordering laboratory supplies.

Skills

Communication

Microbiology lab experience

BSL-2 handling

Protein/peptide separation

Drug discovery

Fast-paced environment adaptability

Education

BS in Biology/Biochemistry/Chemistry

Job description

Job Description

The Gilbertie Lab at the Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine is seeking a Research Assistant to complete general laboratory operations and aid in graduate students’ projects. Our lab focuses on the development of antimicrobial peptides from benchtop experiments to clinical research. This position will be in charge of maintaining the laboratory and instrumentation for these projects. In addition, this position will provide graduate student experimental support, be in charge of laboratory organization and cleanliness, and be in charge of ordering laboratory supplies.

Required Qualifications

• Must be flexible and enjoy fast-paced research environment
• Must be an effective communicator and understand English as a primary language
• Must have U.S. citizenship (cannot support or sponsor working visas)
• Must have experience working in a microbiology laboratory and with BSL-2 pathogens
• Must have experience with protein/peptide separationMust have experience in drug discovery
• BS in Biology, Biochemistry, Chemistry or a related field

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with microfiltration, depth filtration, and ultrafiltration using tangential flow filtration equipment
• Experience with chromatography (both HPLC and FPLC)
• Experience with prepping samples for mass spectrometry and analyzing proteomics experiments
• Experience with lyophilization of peptides
• Correct lab notebook and record keeping
• Adaptability managing multiple projects at the same time
• Handling veterinary species such as dogs, cats, horses, cattle and pigs
• Experience with large animal infectious disease models (no rodent only experience)
• MS in Biology, Biochemistry, Chemistry, or a related field

Pay Band

3; Wage

Overtime Status

Non-Exempt: Eligible for overtime

Appointment Type

Restricted

Salary Information

Wage: starting at $18.00 an hour

Hours per week

Average 29, or as needed

Review Date

3/15/2026

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 an inclusive community dedicated 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 eight undergraduate colleges, a school of medicine, a veterinary medicine college,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.

Virginia Tech does not discriminate against employees, students, or applicants on the basis of age, color, disability, sex (including pregnancy), gender, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, ethnicity or national origin, political affiliation, race, religion, sexual orientation, or military status, or otherwise discriminate against employees or applicants who inquire about, discuss, or disclose their compensation or the compensation of other employees or applicants, or on any other basis protected by law.

If you are an individual with a disability and desire an accommodation, please contact Dr. Jessica Gilbertieat [e-mail] regular business hours at least 10 business days prior to the event.