What are the responsibilities and job description for the Research Associate - Ross Lab position at The Rector & Visitors of the University of Virginia?
The James Ross Lab in the Department of Neuroscience, the Center of Brain Immunology and Glia (BIG), and the University of Virginia Comprehensive Cancer Center is seeking to hire a highly motivated, detail-oriented, and ambitious Postdoc/Research Associate.
Position Summary
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 years1 and who will be involved in full-time research or scholarship at the University. Employment as a Postdoctoral Research Associate is viewed as training and is preparatory for a full-time academic or research career, is supervised by a senior scholar, and allows the appointee to publish the results of his/her research or scholarship during the training period.
Responsibilities
The postdoc will work on projects related to pediatric high-grade glioma in the Ross Lab. The candidate will have access to state-of the art technologies including flow cytometry, microscopy, and single-cell sequencing among others. The projects are focused on determining how tumor associated macrophages and microglia acquire alternatively activated states in pHGG and identifying novel therapeutic vulnerabilities to reinvigorate the anti-tumor immune response. An emphasis on clinical translation will be made, including utilizing patient tissue samples and sequencing data. More details about specific projects will be shared during the interview process.
Routine methods used in the lab are flow cytometry, immunohistochemistry, next generation sequencing, and primary cell cultures among others. The applicant will be responsible for managing their project, contributing to data analysis, performing molecular studies, and helping to train Graduate Students. The applicant must be able and willing to work with mice and human tissue samples. The applicant must also be willing to learn new techniques and analytical skills as required. The ideal candidate would be a highly motivated self-starter who has experience with performing immunological studies and experiments as well as working with mice. Additionally, neuroscience knowledge is a plus but not required. Last, a strong publication record is highly desirable. The candidate will work closely with the principal investigator on experimental methodology, data analysis, manuscript writing, and fellowship grant writing. A strong emphasis on mentorship and professional development will be made to facilitate the post-doctoral fellow's transition to the next step in their career. This includes support for conferences, networking opportunities, and fellowship writing among others.
Minimum Qualifications
Education: Doctoral degree
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.
Position Type & Work Location
This is an exempt-level, benefited position. Learn more about UVA benefits.
This is a restricted position, which is dependent on funding and is contingent upon funding availability.
This position is based in Charlottesville, VA, and must be performed fully on-site.
About UVA and the Community
To learn more about UVA and in the Charlottesville area, visit UVA Life and Embark CVA.
Application Timeline
Application review will begin after October 20, 2025.
Additional Requirements
Background checks and pre-employment health screenings will be conducted on all new hires prior to employment.
How to Apply
Please apply online, by searching for requisition number R0077155. Complete an application with the following documents:
Resume
Cover Letter
Upload all materials into the resume submission field. You can submit multiple documents into this one field or combine them into one PDF. Applications without all required documents will not receive full consideration.
Reference Check Process
Reference checks will be completed by UVA's third-party partner, SkillSurvey, during the final phase of the interview. Five references will be requested, with at least three responses required.
Contact
For questions about the position, please contact Dr. James Ross at james.ross@virginia.edu.
For questions about the application process, please contact Jon Freeman, jf2sw@virginia.edu.
The University of Virginia is an equal opportunity employer. All interested persons are encouraged to apply, including veterans and individuals with disabilities. Click here to read more about UVA's commitment to non-discrimination and equal opportunity employment.
The University of Virginia, including 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, pregnancy, sexual orientation, veteran or military status, and family medical or genetic information.