PostDoc Research Associate - Dept. of Anatomy and Neurobiology

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, affirmative action university providing access to education and employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, political affiliation, veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, or disability.

Position Summary:

Two Postdoc/Research Associate positions are available immediately in the laboratory of Dr. Wenhui Hu, in the Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology at VCU School of Medicine to explore the translational application of improved CRISPR/Cas genome editors and develop innovative target cell-specific gene delivery in vivo, focusing on T cells and microglia. The research projects are NIH funded to examine the efficacy of target cell-specific AAV, nanoparticle or lentivirus-like particle delivery of CRISPR/Cas genome editors to combat infectious diseases such as HIV/AIDS (NeuroHIV) and new emerging viruses. We have established advantageous novel animal models, human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSC)-derived microglia-containing cerebral organoids and CRISPR/Cas-mediated gene/cell therapy platform. Dr. Hu’s lab is also exploring the role of novel protein NIBP/TRAPPC9 as a host restriction factor to fight virus infection.

The major lab techniques involve molecular cloning, RNA interference, CRISPR/Cas genome editing, viral and non-viral gene delivery, library screening, neural stem cell culture, ES/iPSC and organoid culture, conditional transgenic or knockout mouse technologies, stereostatic microinjection, cell-based functional assays, in vitro transcription, mRNA stability, protein engineering, protein arrays, co-immunoprecipitation and Western blot, RT-PCR, HCR-fish, multi-labeled immunohistochemistry and confocal imaging analysis, whole genome sequencing, bulk and single cell RNA sequencing, and bioinformatics.

Core Responsibilities Include:

• Molecular cloning, gene editing and viral gene delivery
• Cell culture and cell-based functional assays
• Immunohistochemistry and confocal image analysis
• Animal handling and neurobehavioral test
• The writing of manuscripts and grants as well as the mentoring of undergraduate and graduate in PI’s lab

Required Qualifications:

PhD, and/or MD, in the field of biomedicine, molecular/cellular biology and neuroscience

Must have a demonstrated commitment to fostering diversity and inclusion in past experiences or a commitment to do so as a faculty member at VCU

Preferred Qualifications:

Experience in CRISPR/Cas gene editing, viral packaging and gene therapy

ORP Eligible: Yes

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

The School of Medicine continuously strives for our workplace and learning environment
to reflect the demographic and social milieu of the communities we serve. All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply.

VCU is committed to hiring veterans! VCU will include a veteran's period(s) of military service in the calculation of their annual leave accrual rate. This may provide veterans with an increased leave accrual!