Postdoctoral Associate

Job Description

Looking for an enthusiastic and dedicated postdoctoral associate to join the Kehn-Hall Lab! The Kehn-Hall lab performs research on emerging viruses, including Rift Valley fever virus (RVFV), Venezuelan equine encephalitic virus (VEEV), and eastern equine encephalitis virus (EEEV). The candidate will be responsible for performing cutting edge research to identify FDA approved drugs that can be repurposed for viruses with pandemic potential. This includes working closely with computer scientists to utilize published "omics" datasets and machine learning approaches to identify FDA approved drugs that target key dysregulated pathways/proteins in virally infected cells. The candidate will also assist with the development of liver and/or brain organoid cultures including iPSC-based organoids. Candidate FDA approved drugs will be tested using organoid systems and animal models of infection. The initial focus will be on RVFV, but may be extended to other emerging viruses. The research project is highly collaborative and multidisciplinary involving virologists, computer scientists, and chemical engineers. The candidate, one of six new postdoctoral fellows to be hired within the newly NSF-funded COMPASS Center, will have the opportunity to collaborate with other scientists within the center to tackle complex cross-disciplinary problems in the prevention and control of emerging viruses with pandemic and epidemic potentials.

Required Qualifications

• PhD in Microbiology, Molecular Biology, or a closely related field. PhD must be awarded no more than four years prior to the effective date of appointment with a minimum of one year eligibility remaining.
• Experience working with RNA viruses
• Proficient in cell culture and in vitro viral techniques (infections, plaque assays, generation of virus through reverses genetics systems)
• Possess molecular and/or protein biology skills, including experience with RT-qPCR, western blotting, immunoprecipitations, DNA/RNA extractions, plasmid prep, molecular cloning, and transfections.
• Capable of receiving Security Risk Assessment (SRA) approval
• Experience independently organizing and conducting complex procedures and experiments with minimal supervision
• Should be enthusiastic and dedicated, have the ability and interest in learning new techniques; must be able to follow verbal and written instructions; be observant, attentive to detail, organized, efficient, and work well with others

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with organoid systems
• Experience working with select agents in Biosafety Level 3 (BSL-3)
• Proficient in antiviral activity testing including CC50 and EC50 determinations
• Experience with immunohistochemical staining and confocal fluorescent microscopy
• Experience working with infectious disease rodent models, including performing inoculations, blood collection, drug treatments, clinical symptom monitoring, euthanasia, gross necropsies, and viral titers analysis of organs.
• Knowledge of the regulations, policies, guidelines, and issues surrounding animal technical procedures

Appointment Type

Restricted

Salary Information

Commensurate with experience

Review Date

1/15/25

Additional Information

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

About Virginia Tech

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.

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