Postdoctoral Research Associate

The Cliffe lab in the UVA School of Medicine is seeking a Postdoctoral Research Associate to work on the mechanisms of Herpes Simplex Virus latent infection in neurons. Specifically, the candidate will investigate the epigenetic regulation of HSV latency and reactivation. Multiple projects are available, based on strong preliminary data, and are funded by NIH grants. The projects will inform on how the virus establishes latent infection with the capacity to undergo reactivation, in addition to using the virus to inform on epigenetic processes in neurons.

More details about the Cliffe lab can be found here https://mic.med.virginia.edu/cliffe/

Recent example publications/preprints from the Cliffe lab are given below:

• Interferon Dependent Immune Memory during HSV-1 Neuronal Latency Results in Increased H3K9me3 and Restriction of Reactivation by ATRX
  

Abigail L. Whitford et al. bioRxiv 2025.01.28.633013; doi: https://doi.org/10.1101/2025.01.28.633013

• Co-option of mitochondrial nucleic acid-sensing pathways by HSV-1 UL12.5 for reactivation from latent infection. Krakowiak PA et al
  

Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2025 Jan 28;122(4):e2413965122.doi: 10.1073/pnas.2413965122 .

• Single-genome analysis reveals a heterogeneous association of the herpes simplex virus genome with H3K27me2 and the reader PHF20L1 following infection of human fibroblasts. Francois AK et al. mBio. 2024 Apr 10;15(4):e0327823.
  

doi: 10.1128/mbio.03278-23 .

• PML-NB-dependent type I interferon memory results in a restricted form of HSV latency. Suzich J et al. EMBO Rep. 2021 Sep 6;22(9):e52547.
  

doi: 10.15252/embr.202152547 .

The ideal candidates will have a PhD with experience in relevant areas of biology, first-author publication(s), and the ability to work well in a highly interactive, creative, and collaborative environment.

Postdoctoral employment is temporary and is normally limited to an individual who has been awarded a Ph.D. or equivalent doctorate within the previous five years and who will be involved in full-time research or scholarship at the University.

Please include a cover letter summarizing your past experience, research interests and career goals, in addition to your CV and contact details for at least three letters of recommendation.

Duties Include:

• Full-time research or scholarship at the University.
  
• Supervised by a senior scholar, and allows the appointee to publish the results of his/her research or scholarship
  

In addition to the above job responsibilities, other duties may be assigned.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

Education: Doctoral degree
Experience: None
Licensure: None

TO APPLY:

Application Instructions

Click Apply and complete an application online. Include the following documents:

• CV/resume
  
• Cover letter
  

All documents can be loaded into the resume submission field, multiple documents can be submitted into this one field. Internal applicants must apply through their UVA Workday profile. Incomplete applications will not be considered.

Before a formal offer of employment is extended, the selected candidate will undergo a background check per university policy. This position is restricted and contingent upon the continuation of funding. This position will remain open until filled.

For further information about the position, please contact Jon Stafford via email at js8sj@virginia.edu .

For questions regarding the application process, please contact Eric Allen, Academic Recruiter, at uth9qh@virginia.edu .

PHYSICAL DEMANDS
This is primarily a sedentary job involving extensive use of desktop computers. The job does occasionally require traveling some distance to attend meetings, and programs.

The University of Virginia, i ncluding the UVA Health System which represents the UVA Medical Center, Schools of Medicine and Nursing, UVA Physician’s Group and the Claude Moore Health Sciences Library, are fundamentally committed to the diversity of our faculty and staff. We believe diversity is excellence expressing itself through every person's perspectives and lived experiences. We are equal opportunity employers. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, color, disability, gender identity or expression, marital status, national or ethnic origin, political affiliation, race, religion, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, veteran or military status, and family medical or genetic information.