Post-Doctoral Fellow - Microbiology and Immunology

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:

The Post-Doctoral Fellow will assist the Principal Investigator with funded research projects investigating interactions among sensory neurons, immune cells, and epithelial cells in the skin. The goals of the research projects will be:

1. To define how sensory neurons and their mediators modulate T cells in the context of psoriasis.
2. To study how sensory neurons and immune cells promote protection against skin-invading parasites.
3. To determine the actions of parasitic helminths on neurons that evoke itch and pain.

The Post-Doctoral Fellow will also assist with scientific manuscript preparation, protocol standardization, mouse colony management, and training of graduate students and laboratory technicians. Grant-writing opportunities will be provided upon request. For this research, the successful candidate must hold a Ph.D. degree in immunology or neurobiology. Priority will be given to those with experience in multiparametric flow cytometric analysis (FACS), mouse models of parasitic and barrier immunity; expertise with the preparation of mouse tissues such as the lungs and skin, lymph nodes, dorsal root ganglia (DRG), and spinal cord (SC); mammalian tissue culture; cryosectioning, and immunohistochemistry (IHC). Basic molecular biology and general lab skills, including equipment maintenance, are also required.

Duties & Responsibilities:

1.) Under the direction of the PI, design and carry out mouse-based immunology and neurobiology experiments. 

• Analysis of immune cell populations and cytokine levels in the skin, lymph nodes, and lungs by FACS, ELISA, and IHC
• Purification of tissue-resident cells by FACS and preparation for scRNA-seq analysis
• Skin and lung tissue preparation for spatial transcriptomics
• Evaluation of helminth larvae, adults, and eggs (Schistosoma mansoni and Nippostrongylus brasiliensis) in the skin, lungs, intestine, liver, and portal vein
• Functional analysis of T cells (proliferation, cytokine secretion, surface markers, cytotoxicity).
• Evaluation of neuron populations in DRG, SC, and skin
• Monitoring mouse itch and pain behavior

2.) Laboratory maintenance

• Help with maintenance of the lab’s mouse colony and genotyping through PCR
• Learning and training new lab members in mouse dissection and other basic skills
• Be responsible for monitoring and reporting lab safety issues
• Help maintain lab cleanliness and ordering of reagents and supplies as needed

3.) Maintaining proper records

• Diligently keep a laboratory notebook of all experiments
• Management and record of data sets
• Track use of key reagents

Qualifications:

Minimum Qualifications

• Doctoral degree in biomedical sciences, preferably with experience in immunology, parasitology, or neuroscience.
• Familiarity with FACS, IHC, ELISA, RT-qPCR, and transcriptomic analysis.
• Basic lab skills such as pipetting, making solutions, lab safety.
• Computer skills including data management, word processing, Excel, etc.
• A demonstrated proficiency in keeping detailed notes, files, and records organized
• Attention to detail and ability to effectively multitask 
• A strong, diligent work ethic and excellent communication skills
• Demonstrated ability to work in and foster an environment of respect, professionalism and civility with a population of faculty, staff, and students from all backgrounds and experiences, or a commitment to do so as a Post-Doctoral Fellow at VCU

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with Spectral flow cytometry such as Cytek Aurora and FACS analysis programs such as FlowJo or OMIQ
• Experience with cryosection, fluorescence, and confocal microscopy
• Experience in mouse models of helminth parasite infection
• Experience with analysis of transcriptomics data (RNAseq, scRNAseq, and spatial transcriptomics)
• Experience with molecular biology (e.g., plasmid preparation, Western blot, PCR, qPCR)
• Experience in working with mice, maintaining a mouse colony, breeding, and tissue collection

Salary Range: $63,480-$65,000

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

This is a restricted position with no set end date; continued employment is dependent upon project need, availability of funding, and performance. 

Contact Information:

Contact Email: SOMHR@vcuhealth.org