PostDoc Research Associate - Dept. of Anatomy and Neurobiology - Virginia Commonwealth University

VirginiaCommonwealth University (VCU) School of Medicine is a premier academic medicalcenter located in the heart of Richmond. Accounting for almost half of VCU’ssponsored research, the School of Medicine is internationally recognized forpatient care and education.

VirginiaCommonwealth University is an equal opportunity, affirmative action universityproviding access to education and employment without regard to race, color,religion, national origin, age, sex, political affiliation, veteran status,genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, ordisability.

Position Summary:

Two Postdoc/ResearchAssociate positions are available immediately in the laboratory of Dr. WenhuiHu, in the Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology at VCU School of Medicine toexplore the translational application of improved CRISPR/Cas genome editors anddevelop innovative target cell-specific gene delivery in vivo, focusing on Tcells and microglia. The research projects are NIH funded to examine theefficacy of target cell-specific AAV, nanoparticle or lentivirus-like particledelivery of CRISPR/Cas genome editors to combat infectious diseases such asHIV/AIDS (NeuroHIV) and new emerging viruses. We have established advantageousnovel animal models, human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSC)-derivedmicroglia-containing cerebral organoids and CRISPR/Cas-mediated gene/celltherapy platform. Dr. Hu’s lab is also exploring the role of novel proteinNIBP/TRAPPC9 as a host restriction factor to fight virus infection.

Themajor lab techniques involve molecular cloning, RNA interference, CRISPR/Casgenome editing, viral and non-viral gene delivery, library screening, neuralstem cell culture, ES/iPSC and organoid culture, conditional transgenic orknockout mouse technologies, stereostatic microinjection, cell-based functionalassays, in vitro transcription, mRNA stability, protein engineering, proteinarrays, co-immunoprecipitation and Western blot, RT-PCR, HCR-fish, multi-labeledimmunohistochemistry and confocal imaging analysis, whole genome sequencing,bulk and single cell RNA sequencing, and bioinformatics.

Core Responsibilities Include: 

• Molecularcloning, gene editing and viral gene delivery
• Cellculture and cell-based functional assays
• Immunohistochemistryand confocal image analysis
• Animalhandling and neurobehavioral test
• The writing of manuscripts and grants as well as the mentoring of undergraduate and graduate in PI’s lab

Required Qualifications: 

PhD, and/or MD, in the field of biomedicine,molecular/cellular biology and neuroscience

Musthave a demonstrated commitment to fostering diversity and inclusion in pastexperiences or a commitment to do so as a faculty member at VCU

Preferred Qualifications:

Experiencein CRISPR/Cas gene editing, viral packaging and gene therapy

ORP Eligible: Yes

Thisis a restricted position with no set end date and continued employment isdependent upon project need, availability of funding, and performance.

TheSchool of Medicine continuously strives for our workplace and learningenvironment
to reflect the demographic and social milieu of the communities we serve. Allqualified applicants are encouraged to apply.

VCU is committedto hiring veterans! VCU will include a veteran's period(s) of military servicein the calculation of their annual leave accrual rate. This may provideveterans with an increased leave accrual!

Salary Range: $50,000-$60,000

Position Details:

Department: Anatomy and Neurobiology
Employment Type: PD - Post Doc
Restricted Status: Yes
FTE: 100
Exemption Status: Exempt

Contact Information:

Contact Name: Noah Craig

Contact Email: Noah.craig1@vcuhealth.org

Contact Phone: