"Research Associate"

Job Description

The Lessard Laboratory is seeking an enthusiastic and motivated research associate to work on laboratory studies related to exercise physiology, nutrition, metabolism, and diabetes. The lab is located within the Center for Exercise Medicine Research (CEMR) in the Fralin Biomedical Research Institute (FBRI) in Roanoke Virginia. The successful candidate will work on NIH-funded research projects to determine how exercise training, in combination with dietary and pharmacological therapies, influence health and metabolism. More information on current studies can be found at https://fbri.vtc.vt.edu/research/labs/lessard.html.

The primary responsibilities of this position will be to manage and supervise various experimental protocols including tissue culture systems, mouse husbandry and physiology, and molecular biology assays. The research associate will also spend significant time and effort on general lab maintenance and organization. The successful candidate should be detail oriented and highly organized with excellent communication skills. Additional duties include data management and analysis, and training/supervising new research staff and students. Benefits of this position include gaining high-level research experience, authorship on scientific publications, and working in a collaborative and intellectually stimulating environment. This is an excellent position for candidates with previous research lab management experience who wish to pursue a career in medical research.

Required Qualifications

• Graduate degree in biology, health sciences, biochemistry, exercise physiology, or another related field
• Demonstrated research and lab management experience
• Demonstrated organizational skills and attention to detail
• Demonstrated ability and desire to succeed in a fast-paced research environment with multiple concurrent duties
• Excellent communication skills
• Experience working with aseptic technique and tissue culture
• Knowledge and training in biochemistry and molecular biology

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience supervising undergraduate and graduate research students
• Proficiency in various molecular biology techniques including Western blotting, PCR, and immunofluorescence
• Experience working with and handling live mice
• Experience with mouse metabolic testing including glucose tolerance testing, indirect calorimetry, body composition measurement, and exercise testing
• Knowledge and/or experience in exercise physiology, metabolism, or diabetes research

Additional Details

Overtime Status: Exempt: Not eligible for overtime

Appointment Type: Restricted

Salary Information: Commensurate with experience

Hours per week: 40+

Review Date: 11/21/2025

The successful candidate will be required to have a criminal conviction check.