Post Doctoral Fellow - Biochemistry & Molecular Medicine

The Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Medicine at West Virginia University is currently accepting applications for a Post Doctoral Fellow.

We are seeking a postdoctoral researcher to join Dr. Rong Liu’s lab in the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine. This position focuses on investigating the roles and mechanisms of molecular motor proteins in human sensory processes. It offers an exciting opportunity to utilize cutting‑edge single‑molecule techniques and high‑resolution microscopy to understand the biophysics of sensory motors, their impact on cytoskeletal dynamics, and how defects in these motor proteins lead to human sensory diseases such as vision and hearing loss.

The research will involve a multidisciplinary approach integrating modern recombinant protein expression, quantitative imaging, and iPSC‑derived sensory neurons, with the goal of identifying new therapeutic targets for motor‑related vision and hearing diseases.

The successful candidate will conduct independent research, collaborate within the team and with other scientists in the field, and receive dedicated mentorship to support their transition to the next stage of their scientific career. The salary for this position is competitive and commensurate with experience.

• 37.5‑hour work week
• 13 paid holidays (staff holiday calendar)
• 24 annual leave (vacation) days per year (employee leave)
• 18 sick days per year (for when you’re ill, for when you need time to care for sick family, for your own, or your family's, regularly scheduled medical appointments. Who is family for the purpose of this leave? A lot of people in your life including immediate relatives and in‑laws as well as others considered to be members of your household living under the same roof)
• WVU offers a range of health insurance and other benefits
• 401(a) retirement savings with 6% employee contribution match, eligibility to continue health insurance, and other retiree perks. Looking for more retirement benefits information? Check out retirement health insurance benefits, retirement income, and FAQ’s.
• Wellness programs

• Conduct experimental research to characterize motor proteins in a reduced reconstituted system and in live cellular environments.
• Collaborate with team members to interpret data, generate hypotheses, and design follow‑up experiments.
• Summarize research findings and draft manuscripts for publication.
• Present research findings at conferences and seminars.
• Mentor students and junior trainees.

• PhD degree in life sciences or related field.
• A minimum of one (1) first‑author peer‑reviewed academic paper(s) are required.
• Research experience in working with purified proteins and modern fluorescent microscopy is highly desirable.
• All qualifications must be met by the time of employment.
• The successful candidate may be permitted to begin employment prior to degree confirmation with a letter certifying the trainee has completed all the requirements from their university.

• Strong background in molecular biology, protein biochemistry, iPSCs, or cellular mechanisms in vision and hearing processes.
• Experiences with microscopy and high‑throughput image quantification and data analysis.
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively in a multidisciplinary research environment.
• Excellent communication skills and a track record of scientific productivity (publications, conference presentations).

West Virginia University is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We invite all qualified applicants regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, or Veteran status.