Post-Doctoral Fellow - Microbiology and Immunology

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Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) School of Medicine is a premier academic medical center located in the heart of Richmond. Accounting for almost half of VCU’s sponsored research, the School of Medicine is internationally recognized for patient care and education. Virginia Commonwealth University is an equal opportunity employer.

School Of Medicine MBU

Microbiology and Immunology

Located on the MCV Campus in downtown Richmond, the Department of Microbiology and Immunology is home to a vibrant community of researchers, educators and learners. With a strong history of research funding, our department strives to advance scientific knowledge in the biomedical sciences and inform medical advancements that improve patient outcomes. Our innovative studies span a broad spectrum of areas within the fields of microbiology and immunology:
Allergy and autoimmunity
Host-pathogen interactions and molecular pathogenesis
Human microbiome science and microbial genomics
Reproductive immunology
T-cell therapy and vaccine development
Tumor biology, cell signaling and epigenetics

The Postdoctoral Associate will conduct research in the laboratory of Dr. José Fachi in the Department of Microbiology and Immunology at Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine. The laboratory investigates the cellular and molecular mechanisms that regulate intestinal immunity, host-microbiota interactions, and mucosal inflammation. Research projects combine immunology, microbiology, metabolism, and genetically engineered mouse models to understand how immune cells communicate with the intestinal environment during homeostasis and disease.

The successful candidate should have a Ph.D. in Immunology, Microbiology, Biomedical Sciences, or a related field and a strong background in experimental biomedical research. Preference will be given to candidates with experience in immunology, flow cytometric analysis (FACS) of complex immune populations, genetically engineered mouse models, preparation and analysis of lymphoid and intestinal tissues, cell culture, and molecular biology techniques.

The Postdoctoral Associate will be expected to conduct research with increasing independence, including experimental design and execution, data analysis and interpretation, and development of research projects in collaboration with the Principal Investigator. The candidate will also contribute to manuscript preparation, scientific presentations, grant-related research activities, and mentoring and training of junior laboratory members.

• Design, perform, and analyze experiments investigating the cellular and molecular mechanisms regulating intestinal immunity and host-microbiota interactions
• Isolate and characterize immune cells from intestinal and lymphoid tissues using multicolor and spectral flow cytometry
• Perform functional analyses of innate and adaptive immune cell populations
• Conduct experiments using genetically engineered mouse models and models of intestinal inflammation and infection
• Perform immunological, molecular, microbiological, and cellular analyses
• Develop and optimise experimental approaches to address research questions
• Analyze and interpret experimental results and troubleshoot experiments as needed

• Develop research hypotheses and experimental strategies in collaboration with the Principal Investigator
• Review and critically evaluate relevant scientific literature
• Analyze experimental data and prepare publication-quality figures
• Contribute to the preparation of manuscripts for publication in peer-reviewed scientific journals
• Present research findings at laboratory meetings, departmental seminars, and scientific conferences
• Contribute scientific data and writing to grant applications and research proposals
• Participate in collaborative research projects within and outside the laboratory

• Maintain accurate and detailed laboratory notebooks and experimental records
• Organise, analyse, and…