Research Associate, Department of Pediatrics

The Department of Pediatrics at the University of Virginia’s (VA) School of Medicine is seeking applicants for a Post Doctoral Research Associate. This is a position primarily focused on planning and performing research tasks.

This position will support the research of Carrie Cowardin, PhD focusing on understanding the maternal and child gut microbiome in early life growth and immunity. Emerging evidence suggests signals generated within the gut influence immunity and metabolism in multiple organ systems with profound consequences for human health. The Cowardin lab works to understand how this critical process occurs during the first 1,000 days of a child’s life, a window of opportunity during development that sets the stage for later life immunity, cognitive function and metabolic health. The overarching goal of the lab is to determine how gut microbial communities influence both local and systemic inflammatory responses to improve maternal and child health. Details about the Cowardin lab and its work can be found at https://www.cowardinlab.com/home.

The UVA Department of Pediatrics and the UVA Children’s Hospital share a common goal to enhance the health and well-being of children and families through collaborative medical care, education of professionals dedicated to pediatric healthcare, breakthrough research that improves lives, leadership, and community service.

The successful candidate will be expected to:

• Demonstrate a passion for research improving the health of women and children.
  
• Have a strong sense of responsibility and ability to work independently.
  
• Promote a culture of diversity within the laboratory, building on the strengths of all lab member’s unique perspectives to generate ideas as a team.
  
• Possess expertise in troubleshooting problems and recommending solutions.
  
• Pay attention to detail and take pride in their work.
  
• Have strong organizational and timeline management skills.
  
• Work in a professional manner and have a willingness to learn and improve.
  
• Promote a culture of excellence by supporting others and providing guidance and mentorship to graduate and undergraduate trainees.
  
• Act as an ambassador for the lab’s research at local, regional, and national conferences.
  
• Independently and creatively analyze data to test or refine hypotheses.
  
• Visualize and report data findings creatively in a variety of visual formats to support research presentations, manuscripts, and media write-ups.
  
• Collaborate with faculty and staff across the University to advance research goals.
  

Minimum Qualifications:

Doctoral Degree

Preferred Qualifications:

Working knowledge of laboratory techniques, including RNA/DNA isolation and sequencing, histological techniques, bacterial isolation and culture, and experience working with laboratory animal models. A background in microbiology and/or immunology and experience with gnotobiotic animals are highly desirable.

This is a 12-month appointment with the possibility of renewal contingent upon satisfactory performance and the availability of funding. Salary is commensurate with education and experience. This is an Exempt level, benefited position. For more information on the benefits at UVA, visit hr.virginia.edu/benefits .

This positio n will s ponsor applicants for work visa who meet the qualifications.

This position will remain open until filled. The University will perform background checks on all new hires prior to employment. A completed pre-employment health screen is required for this position prior to employment.

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.

To Apply:

Please apply through UVA Career Page , and search for R00 57039 .

Internal applicants must apply through their UVA Workday profile by searching 'Find Jobs.'

Complete an application online with the following documents:

• CV
  
• Cover letter
  

Upload all materials into the resume submission field, multiple documents can be submitted into this one field. Alternatively, merge all documents into one PDF for submission. Applications that do not contain all required documents will not receive full consideration.

For questions about the application process, please contact Yelena Markazyan, Academic Recruiter at ym 3mm @virginia.edu

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 and affirmative action 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 (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, veteran status, and family medical or genetic information.