Research Associate, SOM, Internal Medicine, Stravitz‐Sanyal Institute for Liver Disease

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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. All full-time university staff are eligible for our generous benefits package that includes choices for health, vision, and dental coverage, life-insurance, short and long-term disability coverage, retirement planning, tax-deferred annuity and cash match programs, flexible spending accounts, tuition benefits, significant paid-time off, 12 paid holidays, and more.  Explore our benefits further here: https://hr.vcu.edu/current-employees/benefits/university-and-academic-professional-benefits/

The Stravitz‐Sanyal Institute for Liver Disease and Metabolic Health (SSI) is recruiting a highly motivated Research Associate to join the Saul Karpen research team. The research arc of the Karpen lab focuses upon wet bench validations of etiologic gene discoveries and therapeutic target identification for rare childhood liver diseases.  Recent explorations have focused upon discovering etiologic causes of the # 1 reason to transplant a liver during childhood—biliary atresia.  The successful candidate will develop and apply research methods to analyzing a first genetic model of biliary atresia, the Pkd1l1 conditional KO mouse, including evaluations of therapeutic efficacy.

Position Summary:

You will engage in collaborative projects across multiple stages, from experimental design through to the dissemination of findings, including support for presentations, grant applications, and publication. Responsibilities will include managing projects transparently, setting specific research milestones, and providing detailed reporting to stakeholders. 

Provide focused, technical expertise as a key scientific resource for a broad array of applications. Act as the technical project leader or subject matter expert for multiple projects or programs, interact with clients to provide technical project updates, review and evaluate data, write reports and protocols, and provide input on regulatory compliance. Participate in the evaluation and implementation of new technologies ensuring the laboratory stays current in technologies required. Supervises and assists senior technical staff in laboratory operations such as scheduling, resource management, technical and compliance related issues. Interfaces with clients on scientific issues, study design and project technical requirements. Plans, directs and implements improvements in systems, processes and procedures to increase efficiency, productivity, quality and technical expertise in the laboratory. Assists division director in strategic planning, business development and new technology implementation.

Ability to design and perform experiments, to manage research projects, to analyze and interpret data, to make conclusions and plan strategically. Ability to maintain detailed documentation in a variety of mediums. Past productivity as documented by publications. Demonstrated creativity, high motivation, solid communication skills and experience in writing progress reports and manuscripts for peer reviewed publications. Ability to work independently as well as demonstrated ability to work professionally and efficiently within a research group.

Typical Education and Experience

Minimum Hiring Standards: 

-A PhD in Molecular or Cellular Biology, Biochemistry, Physiology or other relevant discipline.
-Experience with primary cell culture, epithelial cells or organoids, with isolation and culture of mouse cholangiocytes a major prioritization.
-Experience with mouse models of metabolic disease or hepatobiliary disease.
-Experience with cell signaling and developmental biology
-Experience with membrane biology and bile acid signaling are prioritizations.
-Experience with standard DNA, RNA and Protein analytics (imaging and immunoblotting).
-Experience with advanced confocal imaging
-Creativity and substantial evidence of productive team science and publication history
-Successful grant writing
-Independence, scientific rigor and critical thinking
-Foster a collaborative inclusive and team-oriented workplace where diversity and individual differences are valued.

Additional Information:

ORP Eligible: - YES
Hours / weeks - 40 hours weekly 
Title Details: Research Associate 1-3     
University Title: Senior Scientist, RS 1-3 (33244Y-33246Y)
University Code: (33244Y-33246Y)
University Job Family: Research & Innovation

Virginia Commonwealth University is an equal opportunity, affirmative action university providing 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, or disability. 

Please note that if you are employed as a university employee working in any of the health system's facilities, you will need to follow VCU Health System policies, which will include but will not be limited to, vaccination requirements.

The School of Medicine continuously strives for our workplace and learning environment to reflect the demographic and social milieu of the communities we serve.  All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply.

Demetria Patterson
demetria.patterson1@vcuhealth.org