Position Summary

The Center for Cancer Cell Biology, Immunology, and Infection (Department of Microbiology & Immunology) in the Chicago Medical School at Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine & Science is inviting applications for a Postdoctoral Research Associate (entry level). 

They will be involved in studying molecular mechanisms of HIV infection and pathogenesis in the central nervous system.

Our generous benefits package includes medical, dental, and vision plans; paid parental leave; short-term and long-term disability plans; life insurance; flexible spending accounts; and a 403(b) retirement plan which includes an 8% employer contribution after two years of service. RFUMS is committed to employee well-being and work-life balance. Full-time staff members are eligible for three weeks of vacation, 15 sick days, and 13 holidays plus two floating holidays. That is a minimum of 30 paid days off each year!

Who We Are

Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science (RFU) is a graduate health sciences university committed to serving the population through the interprofessional education of health and biomedical professionals and the discovery of knowledge dedicated to improving wellness. The university embodies the spirit of inquiry and excellence modeled by its namesake Dr. Rosalind Franklin, whose Photo 51 was crucial to solving the structure of DNA. RFU is nationally recognized for its research in areas including neuroscience, brain-related diseases, inherited disorders, proteomics, cancer cell biology and immunology, cardiac resuscitation, and gait and balance. 

As part of our efforts to enhance the depth and breadth of research at RFU and to facilitate the translation of our basic science research to the development of diagnostics, therapeutics, and identification of biomarkers in order to improve human health, a new Innovation and Research Park (IRP) was constructed, opening in January 2020. The novel design of the IRP enables academic researchers to reside in state-of-the-art laboratory space that is in close proximity to industry researchers on each floor of the 100,000 sq ft building. It also houses our Helix 51 Incubator, Chicago’s newest bioscience incubator for startups. To learn more, see https://www.rosalindfranklin.edu/research/innovation-and-research-park/ 

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

• Lead independent research projects in an unsupervised manner and conduct experiments contributing to the lab’s studies; (2) Unsupervised 
• Unsupervised planning, execution, data collection, analyses, and preparation of manuscripts; (3) Train and nurture incoming graduate students;
• Conduct the following specific research activities independently:
  1. Work with mice, collect and analyze biological samples and manage mouse colonies (including genotyping) 
  2. Cell cultures, ectopic protein expression and analysis such as Western blotting 
  3. Well versed in all molecular techniques including cloning and advanced genomics technologies
  4. Expression and purification of recombinant proteins 
  5. Immunofluorescence microscopy 

Conditions of Employment

• Must achieve satisfactory results from a background check
• Compliance with the current COVID19 vaccination policy

Required Education & Experience

• PhD in Microbiology and Immunology
• 0-1 year post PhD experience 

Required Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities

• Ability to work independently or as a team
• Good English reading, writing and verbal communication skills
• Experience working with viruses and their propagation
• Mindset to practice inclusiveness and work within diverse cultural and social settings
• Experience working with mice
• At least 1 primary author and 1 co-author publication

Preferred Qualifications

• PhD in Microbiology and Immunology

Typical Physical Demands & Working Conditions

• Selected candidate must have the mental and physical capabilities to perform the essential functions of the position with or without reasonable accommodations.

EOE, Including Disability / Vets