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

Unit: School Of Medicine MBU

Department: Microbiology and Immunology

Department Summary: Located on the MCV Campus in downtown Richmond, the Department of Microbiology and Immunology is home to a vibrant community of researchers, educators and learners. With a strong history of research funding, our department strives to advance scientific knowledge in the biomedical sciences and inform medical advancements that improve patient outcomes. Our innovative studies span a broad spectrum of areas within the fields of microbiology 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, collegial learning environment for our students. Faculty and postdoctoral fellows serve as dedicated mentors, providing an individualized educational experience and shaping the next generation of successful scientists.

Position Summary:

A postdoctoral fellow position is available in the laboratory of Dr. Jason A. Carlyon in the Department of Microbiology and Immunology at Virginia Commonwealth University.  The successful candidate will participate in NIH-funded projects studying the arthropod vector-transmitted obligate intracellular bacterial pathogen, Anaplasma phagocytophilum. Projects include A. phagocytophilum-host cell interactions, A. phagocytophilum interactions with membrane trafficking pathways, lipid signaling, exosome biogenesis, and in vivo protection studies.  Highly motivated, hard-working, and technically skilled applicants with relevant experience are welcomed to apply.

Duties & Responsibilities:

1.)  Maintenance of Anaplasma phagocytophilum infected cultures

• Maintain uninfected and A. phagocytophilum infected myeloid, endothelial, and/or arthropod cell lines under sterile conditions on a bi-weekly basis

2.)  Assessment of A. phagocytophilum interactions with eukaryotic host cells and mammalian hosts

• Will include all or some of the following: assess A. phagocytophilum adhesin-receptor interactions and how this promote host cell signaling, effector delivery, cytoskeletal rearrangement, and bacterial entry; using yeast as a model organism to study Anaplasma-host cell protein-protein interactions; purify exosomes from uninfected and A. phagocytophilum infected cells; analyze exosome protein, nucleotide, and lipid profiles; assess A. phagocytophilum modulation of exosome content and effector function; assess A. phagocytophilum pathogenesis using the mouse model.

3.)  Lab maintenance (e.g., ordering, stock inventory, maintain cleanliness, autoclave biohazardous waste)

4.)  Maintaining proper records

• Diligently eep laboratory notebook of all experiments

5.)  Writing manuscripts, grants, abstracts

• Write and edit drafts of manuscripts for publication. Write/contribute data for extramural grant proposals. Write abstracts of research and present at scientific conferences

Qualifications:

Minimum Qualifications

(1) PhD or MD/PhD, (2) Experience in working with microbial pathogens, (3) strong background in cell biology, biochemistry, molecular biology, immunology, bacterial genetics, and/or yeast genetics. (4) Candidates are expected to be very motivated for career development, committed to driving federally funded high impact and high-quality research, and committed to aggressively pursuing postdoctoral grants. (5) Ability to work independently. (6) Excellent written and oral communication skills.

Preferred Qualifications

(1) Experience in working with/cultivating Anaplasma phagocytophilum or other obligate intracellular bacteria in eukaryotic tissue culture. (2) Infection assays using intracellular bacterial pathogens. (3) Working knowledge of membrane trafficking pathways. (4) Experience using the mouse model to study microbial pathogenesis. (5) Using yeast as a model organism.

Salary Range: $63,480-$64,380 commensurate with experience per NIH postdoc payscale

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 employee type.

FLSA Exemption Status: Exempt

Hours per Week: 40

ORP Eligible: Yes

Flexible Work Arrangement: Fully Onsite

University Job Title: Post-Doctoral Fellow

Contact Information:

Contact Email: SOMHR@vcuhealth.org