Research Associate

The Roberts Glyco-Diversity Lab within the Department of Biomedical Engineering and Mechanics is seeking a highly motivated research associate who will aid in lab-related tasks for two years. The Roberts Glyco-Diversity Lab is aiming to investigate the sugar outer coating on all eukaryotic cells known as the glycocalyx, which is important in cell-matrix and cell-cell interactions. Glycocalyx biopolymers are ubiquitous in the body and dysregulated in pathological states, such as cancer. We are particularly interested in its role in cancer and other pathologies within the central nervous system. We project to be a highly interdisciplinary team, with members and collaborators who are experts in areas including cancer, imaging, behavior, and clinical care. Thus, strong communication and organization skills are highly desired. The research associate will assist with building the lab, ordering, animal colony management, experimental design, and execution, training new lab members, maintaining IACUC/IRB protocols, as well as preparing manuscripts and proposals.

This position will help with tasks relevant to assisting with running the lab and conducting experiments, including the following:

● General
○ Purchasing/Fund management
○ Lab website maintenance
○ Onboarding and training of new lab members
○ Lab organization
○ Ordering/receiving and record management
○ Maintenance of safety protocols/training for lab members
○ Liaison with facilities and other personnel (i.e., EHS, ICTAS)

● Research
○ Design and conduct independent and team-based experiments, data analysis, and mentoring of more junior researchers
○ Animal Colony Management (wean, breed, cull mice; genotyping), IRB/IACUC protocol management,
○ Histological staining and sectioning
○ Cell culture

● Grant/Proposal Development
○ Proposal writing and submission
○ Preparing manuscripts, proposals, reports, and dissemination of research findings

- MS degree in a discipline related to the subject matter.
- Demonstrated ability to effectively work and communicate in a multi-disciplinary, collaborative team setting.
- Experience in lab management, mentoring, training, and biomedical sciences/engineering research.
- Proficiency with office software suite (work processing, spreadsheets, presentations) and advanced statistical programs (Graph Pad).
- Experience with animal colony management and genotyping.
- Record of publication in peer-reviewed journals and presenting at national scientific conferences.
- Strong communication and organization skills.

- Experience with cell culture and histological techniques,
- Experience with developing proposal applications for submissions and creating budgets.

Restricted

45,000

1/31/2023

Applicants must apply online at www.jobs.vt.edu (posting 522997) and provide a cover letter, resume/CV, research statement, contributions to advancing diversity and inclusion statement, and three professional references.

The successful candidate will be required to have a criminal conviction check.

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.