Research Scientist - Microbiology and Immunology

Advertising Summary: 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.

Unit: School Of Medicine MBU

Department: Microbiology and Immunology

Department Summary: 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

As educators, we are proud to provide a collaborative, collegial
learning environment for our students. Faculty and postdoctoral
fellows serve as dedicated mentors, providing an individualized
educational experience and shaping the next generation of
successful scientists.

Duties & Responsibilities:

A research scientist position (contingent on extramural funding) is
available in the laboratory of Dr. Jason A. Carlyon in the
Department of Microbiology and Immunology at Virginia Commonwealth
University. The successful candidate will participate in NIH-funded
projects studying the obligate intracellular bacterial pathogens,
Orientia tsutsugamushi and Anaplasma phagocytophilum. Projects
include developing genetic tools for O. tsutsugamushi; examining
how O. tsutsugamushi modulates multiple host cell processes
including immunity, membrane trafficking, cell cycle, apopotosis,
lipid signaling, epigenetic gene regulation, and the
ubiquitin-proteasome system; examining how A. phagocytophilum-host
cell interactions drive bacterial binding, invasion, fitness,
intracellular survival, immunity evasion, parasitism, and egress.
Highly motivated, hard-working, and technically skilled applicants
with relevant experience are welcomed to apply.

Core Responsibilities:

• Maintenance of Orientia tsutsugamushi and Anaplasma

phagocytophilum infected cultures

• Maintain uninfected, O. tsutsugamushi infected, and A.

phagocytophilum infected cell lines under sterile conditions on a
bi-weekly basis

• Assessment of O. tsutsugamushi molecular pathogenesis
• Involves purifying O. tsutsugamushi bacteria from infected

cells, contributing to the development of genetic tools for O.
tsutsugamushi, performing infection assays under various
conditions, assessing infectivity in naïve cells. Diligently keep
laboratory notebook and electronic record on server of all
experiments

• Assessment of A. phagocytophilum interactions with eukaryotic

host cells and mammalian hosts

• Will include all or some of the following: assess A.

phagocytophilum adhesin-receptor interactions and how this promote
host cell signaling, effector delivery, cytoskeletal rearrangement,
and bacterial entry; analyze exosome protein, nucleotide, and lipid
profiles; assess A. phagocytophilum modulation of exosome content
and effector function; assess A. phagocytophilum pathogenesis using
the mouse model. Diligently keep laboratory notebook and electronic
record on server of all experiments

• Lab management
• Mentor and train junior scientists. Contribute to daily lab

management and maintenance

• Writing manuscripts, grants, abstracts
• Write and edit drafts of manuscripts for publication.

Write/contribute data for extramural grant proposals. Writing for
both grants and abstracts is expected to be at or near principal
investigator quality and maturity. Write abstracts of research and
present at scientific conferences

• Demonstrated ability to work in and foster an environment of

respect, professionalism and civility with a population of faculty,
staff, and students from all backgrounds and experiences, or a
commitment to do so as a staff member at VCU

Qualifications:

Minimum Qualifications

(1) PhD or MD/PhD, (2) At least four years of postdoctoral
experience and a proven publication record, (3) Experience in
working with obligate intracellular bacterial pathogens, (3) Strong
background in cell biology, microscopy, biochemistry, molecular
biology, and bacterial genetics. (4) Candidates are expected to be
very motivated for career development, committed to driving
federally funded high impact and high-quality research, and must
aggressively pursue extramural funding in the form of NIH R-awards
or comparable. (5) Candidates must be able to work independently,
be willing to mentor and train junior scientists, and share duties
with other staff members in running lab logistics on a daily basis.
(6) Candidates are expected to have excellent manuscript and grant
writing skills and be extremely committed to becoming independent
in these skills. (7) Candidates are expected to demonstrate
excellent oral communication skills.

Preferred Qualifications

(1) Experience in working with/cultivating Orientia tsutsugamushi
and Anaplasma phagocytophilum in eukaryotic tissue culture. (2)
Experience in developing genetic tools for O. tsutsugamushi and/or
A. phagocytophilum. (3) Experience in using confocal microscopy,
electron microscopy, structured illumination microscopy,
immunofluorescence microscopy, and live cell imaging to study
obligate intracellular bacteria-host cell interactions. (4)
Experience in using Fiji, other imaging software, and writing
custom scripts to achieve cutting-edge image analysis. (5)
Experience in studying obligate intracellular bacterial
development, preferably Anaplasma, Orientia, and related pathogens
such as Chlamydia. (6) Experience performing infection assays using
intracellular bacterial pathogens. (8) Transfection, siRNA,
CRISPR.

Salary Range: $75,000-$78,000

Benefits : All full-time university staff are eligible for
VCU’s robust benefits
package that includes comprehensive health benefits, paid annual
and holiday leave, 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.

FLSA Exemption Status: Exempt

Hours per Week: 40

Restricted Position: This is a restricted position with no set
end date; continued employment is dependent upon project need,
availability of funding, and performance.

ORP Eligible: Yes

Flexible Work Arrangement: Fully Onsite

University Job Title: Research Scientist 1-3
(33241-33243)

Contact Information:
Contact Name: Jason Carlyon,
Ph.D.

Contact Email: jason.carlyon@vcuhealth.org