"Post-Doctoral Fellow - Department of Microbiology and Immunology, School of Medicine"

Job Details

Advertising Summary:

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. Virginia Commonwealth University is an equal opportunity employer.

Unit:

School Of Medicine MBU

Department:

Microbiology and Immunology

Department Summary:

Located on the MCV Campus in downtown Richmond, the Department of Microbiology and Immunology is home to a diverse, vibrant community of researchers, educators and learners. With a strong history of research funding, our department strives to advance scientific knowledge in the biomedical sciences and inform medical advancements that improve patient outcomes. Our innovative studies span a broad spectrum of areas within the fields of microbiology and immunology:

• Allergy and autoimmunity
• Host-pathogen interactions and molecular pathogenesis
• Human microbiome science and microbial genomics
• Reproductive immunology
• T-cell therapy and vaccine development
• Tumor biology, cell signaling and epigenetics

As educators, we are proud to provide a collaborative, collegial learning environment for our students. Faculty and postdoctoral fellows serve as dedicated mentors, providing an individualized educational experience and shaping the next generation of successful scientists.

Position Summary:

We are seeking a highly driven and detail-oriented Postdoctoral Research Fellow to join the LIMIC Biomarker Core, supporting precision biomarker discovery and translational research programs. The successful candidate will apply state-of-the-art multi-omics, spatial profiling, and flow cytometric platforms to advance biomarker integration across military-relevant brain Injury, immunology, and systems biology research. Candidates must have earned their Ph.D. in biomedical sciences or a closely related field within the past year.

Duties & Responsibilities:

• Manage biomarker core samples, including intake, tracking, processing workflows, QC oversight, and coordination with investigators
• Perform and manage multi-omics data analyses, including transcriptomics, proteomics, metabolomics, and lipidomics
• Operate and analyze flow cytometry experiments, including panel design, optimization, and computational data interpretation
• Perform NanoString GeoMx Digital Spatial Profiling experiments, including sample preparation, QC, data processing, and integration
• Assist LC/MS-based biomarker profiling and quantitative analyses
• Utilize public databases (e.g., GEO, TCGA, ENCODE, GTEx) to support biomarker identification and pathway mapping
• Develop and optimize bioinformatics pipelines using R, Python, or equivalent tools
• Support collaborative biomarker projects across basic, translational, and clinical programs at LIMIC
• Prepare data packages for manuscripts, grant applications, reports, and presentations
• Contribute to team-based workflows, mentoring junior trainees as needed

Qualifications:

Minimum Qualifications

• Ph.D. in Biomedical Science or a closely related field, conferred within the past 12 months
• Demonstrated proficiency in omics data analysis (bulk or single-cell transcriptomics, metabolomics, proteomics, or lipidomics)
• Hands-on expertise with flow cytometry, LC/MS, and NanoString GeoMx workflows
• Strong foundation in bioinformatics, including data visualization, statistical analysis, and familiarity with public repositories
• Ability to work collaboratively and efficiently in a fast-paced multidisciplinary research environment
• Excellent communication, organization, and teamwork skills
• Demonstrated ability to work in and foster an environment of respect, professionalism and civility with a population of faculty, staff, and students from all backgrounds and experiences, or a commitment to do so as a Post-Doctoral Fellow at VCU

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience integrating multi-omics datasets for biomarker discovery.
• Familiarity with spatial biology platforms or machine learning–based analytic strategies
• Background in immunology or translational biomarker research
• Experience working in a core facility or service-oriented analytical environment

Environment:

The fellow will join a dynamic, collaborative environment within the LIMIC Biomarker Core, with access to advanced analytical platforms and partnerships across the Department of Microbiology and Immunology, the VA Medical Center, and affiliated research centers.

Salary Range:

Commensurate starting at $62,232

Benefits:

All VCU employee types are eligible for a wide array of benefits to support you during your employment at VCU. Consult the benefits website for information on benefits eligibility according to employee type.

FLSA Exemption Status: Exempt
Hours per Week: 40
ORP Eligible: Yes
Flexible Work Arrangement: Fully Onsite
University Job Title: Post-Doctoral Fellow
Rank: Non Faculty