Research Scientist - School of Medicine, Neurology

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.

All full-time university staff are eligible for VCU’s robust benefits package that includes comprehensive health benefits, paid annual and holiday leave granted up front, generous tuition benefits, retirement planning and savings options, tax-deferred annuity and cash match programs, employee discounts, well-being resources, abundant opportunities for career development and advancement, and more.

The Department of Neurology has a talented, robust team spanning nine divisions includes representatives from every neurology subspecialty in adult and child neurology, plus award-winning educators, clinical and translational neuroscientists and master clinicians.

The Department of Neurology’s vision is to provide the best patient-centered neurological care while fostering the career development, education and training of our team members. We endeavor to realize this vision by fulfilling the following three missions:

The Department of Neurology is seeking a full-time Research Scientist to join the Deshpande Lab located at Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond, VA. The Research Scientist will join an active research laboratory in Neurology and to participate in and manage an epilepsy research program, with a particular focus on organophosphate toxicity. This position will assist with the overall function of the neurotoxicology facility and help achieve the research milestones of current projects, advancing research capabilities to attain new research goals.

• Lead preparation for Pilocarpine and Organophosphate model of status epilepticus (30%)
• Lead preparation for immunohistochemistry and molecular biology experiments (30%)
• Lead preparation for rodent survival surgery for EEG placement (10%)
• Lead preparation for the video-EEG monitoring of acquired epilepsy (10%)
• Lead preparation for a battery of behavioral tests on rodents developing epilepsy (5%)
• Assist in the preparation of publications and grant submissions (10%)
• Supervise and assist technical staff and students in laboratory research
• General laboratory care duties including ordering, inventory management, and maintaining compliance with institutional biosafety and animal use protocol (5%)

Minimum Qualifications

• PhD in Pharmacology and Toxicology, and at least three years of relevant postdoctoral experience
• Familiarity with Lab Chart, Metafluor, and Ethovision software is required
• Experience with rodent survival surgery and rodent behavioral analysis methods, including animal models of seizures, video-EEG analyses, and rat models of depression, anxiety, and memory testing
• Prior experience in handling organophosphorus compounds, the study of organophosphate-induced CNS toxicity
• Experience in the area of organophosphate toxicity and epilepsy research, is essential
• Experience working with rodent models of status epilepticus and epilepsy
• Experience conducting immunohistochemistry
• Demonstrated ability to work in and to foster an environment of respect, professionalism and civility with a population of faculty, staff, and students from various backgrounds and experiences, or a commitment to do so as a staff member at VCU

Preferred Qualifications

• A strong record of research productivity, as evidenced by experience in presenting and publishing scientific manuscripts in peer-reviewed journals

Contact Name:
Kelly Barnes
Contact Email:
Kelly.

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