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Position Summary:

A Post-Doctoral Fellow position is available in the laboratory of Dr. Jason A.Carlyon in the Department of Microbiology and Immunology at VirginiaCommonwealth University. The successfulcandidate will participate in NIH-funded projects studying the obligateintracellular bacterial pathogen, Orientia tsutsugamushi. Projects include O. tsutsugamushi modulation of multiple host cell processesincluding immunity, metabolism, membrane trafficking pathways, cell cycle,apopotosis, lipid signaling, epigenetic gene regulation, and theubiquitin-proteasome system; development of genetic tools for O. tsutsugamushi. Highly motivated, hard-working, andtechnically skilled applicants with relevant experience are welcomed to apply.

Core Responsibilities:

1.) Maintenanceof Orientia tsutsugamushi infected cultures

• Maintainuninfected and O. tsutsugamushi infected HeLa, endothelial, and/or other celllines under sterile conditions on a bi-weekly basis 

2.) Assessmentof O. tsutsugamushi molecular pathogenesis

• Involvespurifying O. tsutsugamushi bacteria from infected cells, performinginfection assays under various conditions, and assessing infectivity in naïvecells

3.) Assessmentof O. tsutsugamushi interactions with eukaryotic host cells andmammalian hosts

• O. tsutsugamushi modulation of multiple host cell processesincluding immunity, metabolism, membrane trafficking pathways, cell cycle,apopotosis, lipid signaling, epigenetic gene regulation, and theubiquitin-proteasome system
• AssessO. tsutsugamushi pathogenesis using the mouse model
• Developmentof genetic tools for O. tsutsugamushi
• Functionallycharacterize O. tsutsugamushi effector proteins by ectopically expressing themin mammalian cells and yeast

4.) Maintainingproper records

• Diligentlykeep laboratory notebook of all experiments

5.) Writingmanuscripts, grants, abstracts

• Writeand edit drafts of manuscripts for publication
• Write/contributedata for extramural grant proposals
• Writeabstracts of research and present at scientific conferences

Minimum Hiring Standards:

• PhD or MD/PhD
• Experience in working with microbial pathogens
• Strongbackground in cell biology, biochemistry, molecular biology, immunology, bacterialgenetics, and/or yeast genetics
• Candidates are expected to be very motivated forcareer development, committed to driving federally funded high impact andhigh-quality research, and committed to aggressively pursuing postdoctoralgrants
• Ability to work independently
• Excellent written and oral communication skills
• Must have a demonstrated commitment to fostering diversity and inclusion in past experiences or a commitment to do so as a Post-Doctoral Fellow at VCU

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experiencein working with/cultivating obligate intracellular bacteria in eukaryotictissue culture
• Infectionassays using intracellular bacterial pathogens
• Experienceusing the mouse model to study microbial pathogenesis
• Usingyeast as a model organism, preferably the toxicity-suppressor assay
• Transfection,siRNA, CRISPR
• Bacterialgenetics, genetic manipulation of obligate intracellular bacteria

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.

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

ORP Eligible: Yes

Salary Range: $56,484-$61,000

Position Details:

Department: Microbiology and Immunology
Employment Type: PD - Post Doc
Restricted Status: Yes
FTE: 100
Exemption Status: Exempt

Contact Information:

Contact Name: Noah Craig