Postdoctoral Scholar - Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology

Position Responsibilities:

The Ottens Research Group at Virginia Commonwealth University is looking for savvy post-doctoral scholars to embark on grant funded projects involving non-targeted proteomic and peptidomics mass spectrometry. Our science leverages these approaches for discovery-based research, particularly into molecular mechanisms of brain injury as a consequence of toxicological and traumatic injuries as well as other biomedical research avenues. Example projects include studying the outcomes of wildfire smoke exposure on systemic and neurological disease while another involves the development of peptide biomarker models for characterizing secondary sequalae of traumatic brain injury. The opportunity provides skill development in non-targeted quantitative mass spectrometry in a direct-application environment where you will gain an appreciation of how to move from big-data through informatic interrogation and onto neurobiological interpretation. Moreover, the research provides the opportunity to learn broader skills in biomedical study design, modeling, working with clinical samples and other targeted experimental approaches (e.g., microscopy and others). Additionally, the candidate will receive career training project management, team leadership and scientific writing. Ours is a close-knit, high-energy laboratory with active PI mentorship at a prominent biomedical research university. The opportunity compensates scholars at the NIH postdoctoral salary along with full health insurance and vacation benefits. Virginia Commonwealth University is a major research institution with $330 million in annual funded activity. Neuroscience is one of three major research focuses at the institution, with a wide diversity of activity and expertise available. VCU is located in Richmond, VA, an affordable city that is attractive to young professionals with ample nearby loft apartments and a vibrant cultural and outdoors scene.

Required Qualifications:

The candidate should have recently completed their Ph.D. studies in bioanalytical chemistry or a similar field of study applying bioanalytical mass spectrometry. They should have experience in quantitative liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry on biospecimens and have associated experience with statistical and informatics workflows needed to process collected data. Past training should have included experience in design, troubleshooting and executing mass spectrometric experimentation. A demonstrated record of scientific publication and presentation in needed. Applicants must be able to work with biospecimens and biofluids from human and animal sources.

Preferred Qualifications:

Preferred are those candidates with expertise in performing omic (proteomic, peptidomics, metabolomic, lipidomic) mass spectrometric analysis in biomedical research. Also preferred, Preferred are those candidates with expertise in performing omic (proteomic, peptidomics, metabolomic, lipidomic) mass spectrometric analysis in biomedical research. Also preferred, experience with processing associated omic datasets via scripting and R experience. Past experience processing biofluids, brain tissues, and with performing immunochemical assays (blotting, microscopy, ELISA) is also beneficial.

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

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.

Salary Range: $53,760



Position Details:

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



Contact Information:

Contact Name: Aaron Wallace

Contact Email: aaron.wallace@vcuhealth.org