Research Assistant | Laboratory of Virology and Infectious Disease

Organization Overview

Our work focuses on several different aspects of molecular virology, biochemical and structural virology, viral pathogenesis, and vaccine development. The laboratory studies animal RNA viruses, including hepatitis C virus (HCV), yellow fever virus (prototype flavivirus), bovine viral diarrhea virus (a pestivirus), and Sindbis virus (a togavirus).

Overview

The Laboratory of Virology and Infectious Disease is dedicated to understanding virus and RNA replication mechanisms, studying innate immune responses, employing high-throughput, low-biased approaches to uncover new biology, and developing cell culture-based methodologies to support these research efforts. We are searching for a Research Assistant to join a team that is developing methods to study the replication of endogenous retroelements and understand their impact on innate immunity.

Responsibilities

Responsibilities include:

• Perform routine molecular biology experiments, including PCR, cloning, RNA/DNA extractions, and in vitro transcription of RNA constructs.
• Perform biochemical and functional assays: cell culture, transfection, cell fractionation, flow cytometry, immunoprecipitation, CRISPR-Cas9 editing, SDS-PAGE, western blot, qPCR, and luminiscence-based reporter assays.
• Prepare next-generation sequencing libraries and conduct computational analysis and visualize results.
• Actively communicating results, sharing ideas, and discussing research methodologies.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor?s degree in Biology, Biochemistry, Microbiology, or a related field.
• Must be detail-oriented and focused, inherently motivated, and able to work as part of a team in a mentored atmosphere.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in cell culture and molecular biology techniques is preferred starting the position.