Postdoctoral fellow positions are available in the laboratory of Dr. Jason Carlyon in the Department of Microbiology and Immunology at Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU). Successful candidates will participate in NIH-funded projects studying the vector-transmitted obligate intracellular bacteria, Orientia tsutsugamushi and Anaplasma phagocytophilum, which cause the globally emerging infections, scrub typhus and granulocytic anaplasmosis. Several projects studying host-pathogen interactions are available and include bacterial effector characterization, bacterial modulation of host cell processes (e.g., membrane trafficking, lipid signaling, ubiquitylation, immunity) adhesin-receptor interactions, nucleomodulins, vaccine development, and genetically manipulating these organisms. Highly motivated, hard-working, and technically skilled applicants are welcomed to apply. Candidates must have a Ph.D. or M.D./Ph.D. degree and a strong background in cell and molecular biology, biochemistry, and any of the aforementioned research areas. Candidates are expected to be motivated for career development, committed to driving federally funded high impact and high-quality research, able to work independently, and have good written and oral communication skills.
VCU is located in beautiful and historic downtown Richmond, VA (RVA), an affordable and cosmopolitan mid-sized city with much to offer including a vibrant arts scene, exceptional cuisine, microbreweries, distilleries, and world-class museums. The James River runs through RVA, providing opportunities for kayaking, white-water rafting, and paddle boarding, while the park system along its banks offers hiking, trail running, and biking options. The city is rich with bike-only lanes that allow for easy two-wheel traverses. RVA was ranked #2 on TIME’s list of the “25 Cities Where Millennials are Moving” and over the past few years has been named to hundreds of other “best of” lists including “Most Fun Cities in America” (Business Insider), “America’s Top 5 Cities to Keep on Your Radar” (Huffington Post), and “50 Best Places to Live in America” (Men’s Journal). A drive of two hours or less from RVA can take you to Washington DC, Atlantic beaches, or the Blue-Ridge mountains.
To apply, submit a cover letter, a current CV with a publication list, and contact information of three references via the VCUjobs links https://vcu.csod.com/ux/ats/careersite/1/home/requisition/4834?c=vcu (Anaplasma research) or https://vcu.csod.com/ux/ats/careersite/1/home/requisition/4835?c=vcu (Orientia research).
