Postdoctoral Associate

The Lessard Laboratory is seeking an enthusiastic and motivated postdoctoral fellow to work on laboratory studies related to exercise physiology, nutrition, metabolism, and diabetes. The lab is located within the Center for Exercise Medicine Research (CEMR) in the Fralin Biomedical Research Institute (FBRI). The successful candidate will work on NIH-funded research projects to determine how exercise training, in combination with dietary and pharmacological therapies, influence health and metabolism. More information on current studies can be found at https://fbri.vtc.vt.edu/research/labs/lessard.html.

The postdoctoral associate will have the opportunity to work in state-of-the-art laboratory facilities at FBRI, located in the picturesque and vibrant city of Roanoke, VA. The Lessard lab and CEMR offer high-level training in exercise medicine, metabolic disease mechanisms, and biochemistry/molecular biology. Postdoctoral fellows will benefit from the inclusive, collaborative, and supportive environment offered at FBRI and CEMR. This position will focus on determining key mechanisms that underlie exercise as a treatment for metabolic disease through use of rodent models, tissue culture systems, and analysis of tissues from human participants. Postdoctoral associates will gain experience and training on specialized laboratory techniques and theory, manuscript writing, preparing funding proposals, and scientific communication skills.

The postdoctoral associate will be responsible for:
• Performing large-scale research studies involving dietary, pharmacological, and exercise interventions in rodent models
• Processing and analysis (molecular, biochemical, and statistical) of human and rodent skeletal muscle and other tissue samples
• Performing acute exercise and exercise training studies and physiological measurements
• Grant and manuscript writing and submission

• PhD in Exercise Physiology, Biology, Biochemistry, Bioengineering, or related. PhD must be awarded no more than three years prior to the effective date of appointment with a minimum of two years eligibility remaining.
• Track-record in scientific publications and presentations
• Experience in teaching and/or mentorship of students or colleagues
• Experience with wet laboratory assays, molecular biology, and biochemistry techniques
• Willingness to handle live mice and work with mouse and human tissue samples
• Ability to work independently and as part of a collaborative team
• Experience and training with basic statistical methodology
• Commitment to diversity, inclusion and equity.

• Proficiency in molecular biology techniques including Western blotting, PCR, and immunofluorescence
• Training and experience in advanced statistical methodology (e.g., bioinformatics)
• Proficiency using tissue culture models
• Experience in gene or RNA modification systems (e.g., CRISPR-Cas9, siRNA)
• Experience with mouse metabolic testing, including glucose tolerance testing, indirect calorimetry, body composition measurement, and exercise testing
• Knowledge and/or experience in exercise physiology, metabolism, skeletal muscle physiology, or diabetes research

Restricted

Commensurate with experience, starting at $61,008

1/2/2025

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, and Honors College. The university has a significant presence across Virginia, including the Innovation Campus in Northern Virginia; the Health Sciences and Technology Campus in Roanoke; sites in Newport News and Richmond; and numerous Extension offices and research centers. A leading global research institution, Virginia Tech conducts more than $500 million in research annually.

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