Research Scientist: Intracellular Pathogen Immunology Onsite

Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine; Richmond (VA); On-site; USD 75,000 - 78,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits

Tuition benefits

Career development

Job summary

Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) School of Medicine is seeking a Research Scientist to join the Microbiology and Immunology department on the MCV Campus in Richmond. The role supports NIH-funded projects studying obligate intracellular bacteria and host-pathogen interactions.

The successful candidate will maintain infected cultures, perform pathogenesis assays, mentor junior staff, and contribute to manuscripts and grants while working onsite in a collaborative lab environment.

Qualifications

• PhD or MD/PhD and at least four years of postdoctoral experience.
• Proven publication record in relevant fields.
• Experience with obligate intracellular bacterial pathogens.
• Strong background in cell biology, microscopy, biochemistry, molecular biology, and bacterial genetics.
• Motivated to pursue extramural funding (NIH R-awards) and work independently.

Responsibilities

• Maintenance of Orientia tsutsugamushi and Anaplasma phagocytophilum infected cultures.
• Assess molecular pathogenesis and perform infection assays.
• Study host cell interactions and signaling, and bacterial egress and survival roles.
• Mentor junior scientists and contribute to lab management.
• Write manuscripts and grant proposals; present at conferences.

Skills

Postdoctoral experience

Molecular biology

Cell biology

Microscopy

Bacterial genetics

Education

PhD or MD/PhD

Tools

Confocal microscopy

Genetic tools development

Job description

Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) School of Medicine is seeking a Research Scientist to join the Microbiology and Immunology department on the MCV Campus in Richmond. The role supports NIH-funded projects studying obligate intracellular bacteria and host-pathogen interactions.

The successful candidate will maintain infected cultures, perform pathogenesis assays, mentor junior staff, and contribute to manuscripts and grants while working onsite in a collaborative lab environment.