Postdoctoral Associate

About the role

The Kehn-Hall lab performs research on emerging viruses, including Rift Valley fever virus (RVFV), Venezuelan equine encephalitic virus (VEEV), and eastern equine encephalitis virus (EEEV). The candidate will be responsible for identifying FDA approved drugs that can be repurposed for viruses with pandemic potential.

Responsibilities

• Perform cutting-edge research to identify FDA approved drugs that can be repurposed for viruses with pandemic potential.
• Work closely with computer scientists to utilize published “omics” datasets and machine learning approaches to identify FDA approved drugs that target key dysregulated pathways/proteins in virally infected cells.
• Assist with the development of liver and/or brain organoid cultures including iPSC-based organoids.
• Test FDA approved drugs using organoid systems and animal models of infection.
• Collaborate with other scientists within the NSF-funded COMPASS Center to tackle complex cross-disciplinary problems in the prevention and control of emerging viruses with pandemic and epidemic potentials.

Requirements

• PhD in Microbiology, Molecular Biology, or a closely related field. PhD must be awarded no more than four years prior to the effective date of appointment with a minimum of one year eligibility remaining.
• Experience working with RNA viruses.
• Proficient in cell culture and in vitro viral techniques (infections, plaque assays, generation of virus through reverses genetics systems).
• Molecular and/or protein biology skills, including experience with RT-qPCR, western blotting, immunoprecipitations, DNA/RNA extractions, plasmid prep, molecular cloning, and transfections.
• Capable of receiving Security Risk Assessment (SRA) approval.
• Experience independently organizing and conducting complex procedures and experiments with minimal supervision.
• Enthusiastic and dedicated, have the ability and interest in learning new techniques; must be able to follow verbal and written instructions; be observant, attentive to detail, organized, efficient, and work well with others.

Qualifications

• PhD in Microbiology, Molecular Biology, or a closely related field.
• Experience working with RNA viruses.
• Proficient in cell culture and in vitro viral techniques (infections, plaque assays, generation of virus through reverses genetics systems).
• Molecular and/or protein biology skills, including experience with RT-qPCR, western blotting, immunoprecipitations, DNA/RNA extractions, plasmid prep, molecular cloning, and transfections.
• Capable of receiving Security Risk Assessment (SRA) approval.
• Experience independently organizing and conducting complex procedures and experiments with minimal supervision.
• Enthusiastic and dedicated, have the ability and interest in learning new techniques; must be able to follow verbal and written instructions; be observant, attentive to detail, organized, efficient, and work well with others.

Skills

• Experience with organoid systems.
• Experience working with select agents in Biosafety Level 3 (BSL-3).
• Proficient in antiviral activity testing including CC50 and EC50 determinations.
• Experience with immunohistochemical staining and confocal fluorescent microscopy.
• Experience working with infectious disease rodent models, including performing inoculations, blood collection, drug treatments, clinical symptom monitoring, euthanasia, gross necropsies, and viral titers analysis of organs.
• Knowledge of the regulations, policies, guidelines, and issues surrounding animal technical procedures.

Benefits

The successful candidate will be required to have a criminal conviction check.

Pay

Commensurate with experience

Schedule

N/A