Staff Scientist - Infectious Diseases

Staff Scientist Position

The Boon-lab at WashU in St Louis is looking for an enthusiastic Staff Scientist to support our team studying tick-borne viral diseases, including Bourbon and Heartland virus. Projects in the lab include developing and evaluating antiviral and anti-tick vaccines, characterizing human and mouse monoclonal antibodies against tick-borne viruses, and developing serological assays to determine seroprevalence of these infections in human and wildlife populations across the United States.

Also, we are interested in studying these viruses in ticks as well as transmission between ticks and mammalian hosts. The projects will involve a diverse array of techniques including protein structural studies, next-generation sequencing, flow cytometry, and ticks to study different aspects of tick-borne viruses.

Designs research protocols. Assists in developing and conducting research projects, including experiment design, data analysis and documentation of experiment results. The lab is housed in the Department of Medicine at WashU Medicine in Saint Louis, MO. The lab is housed on a floor with several other laboratories that study virus-host interactions. We have ongoing collaborations with labs in many other departments in the University including Molecular Microbiology and Pathology and Immunology.

Primary

Duties & Responsibilities:

• Following instructions and discussions with the principal investigator, designs research protocols, including developing procedures for the collection, verification and management of data.
• Assists with grant preparation and reporting.
• Performs complex statistical analysis of data collected and writes interpretative reports. Verifies the correctness of the data submitted and makes recommendations based on these analyses.
• Documents research topics and prepares and submits papers based on research work to publications and committees for publication or presentation to peers.
• Solves practical problems relating to difficulties with equipment or test subjects. Suggests technical or procedural improvements in testing methods.
• Conducts literature searches related to research project.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Working Conditions:

• Works in a laboratory environment with potential exposure to biological and chemical hazards.
• Must be physically able to wear protective equipment and to provide standard care to research animals.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by people assigned to this classification. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all job duties performed by the personnel so classified. Management reserves the right to revise or amend duties at any time.

Required Qualifications:

Education:

Master's degree or combination of education and/or experience may substitute for minimum education.

Certifications /Professional Licenses :

No specific certification/professional license is required for this position.

Work Experience:

Laboratory Operations (3 Years)

Skills:

Not Applicable

Driver's License:

A driver's license is not required for this position.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master's degree in immunology, molecular biology, microbiology, or a similar field.
• Experience in virology or tick-research is highly desired.
• Have published one or more papers in peer-reviewed journals.
• Can guide research projects.
• Good interpersonal skills and willingness to mentor students and technicians.
• Excellent speaking, reading and writing skills.

Grade:

R10

Salary Range:

$48,000.00 - $86,900.00 / Annually The salary range reflects base salaries paid for positions in a given job grade across the University. Individual rates within the range will be determined by factors including one's qualifications and performance, equity with others in the department, market rates for positions within the same grade and department budget.

Questions:

For frequently asked questions about the application process, please refer to our External Applicant FAQ.

Accommodation:

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