"Senior Research Scientist - Department of Cellular, Molecular, and Genetic Medicine"

Job Details

Benefits: All full-time university staff are eligible for VCU’s robust benefits package that includes comprehensive health benefits, paid annual and holiday leave granted up front, generous tuition benefits, retirement planning and savings options, tax-deferred annuity and cash match programs, employee discounts, well-being resources, abundant opportunities for career development and advancement, and more.

Unit: School Of Medicine MBU

Department: Cellular and Genetic Medicine

Duties & Responsibilities:

A position is available beginning 12/01/2025 (or as soon as possible) in the laboratory of Dr. Paul B. Fisher in the Department of Cellular, Molecular and Genetic Medicine at Virginia Commonwealth University, School of Medicine. The main research focus in Dr. Fisher’s laboratory is understanding cancer progression from tumor and microenvironmental perspectives and to develop genetic and pharmaceutical tools to block tumor cells dissemination and growth. The laboratory is well equipped with molecular biology and Immunological technologies. The laboratory has long track record working with Biotech/Pharma and filing more than 60 USA patents.

Core Responsibilities:

The ideal candidate for this position will have flow cytometry (CyTek), experience with both GEM and transplantable tumor models, cell and vector engineering experience, extensive cell culture experience, and extensive molecular biology experience (Western blotting, PCR, QPCR, etc…). The ideal candidate must be detail oriented in experimental design and execution and be able to maintain a detailed laboratory notebook. The candidate must be able to work independently, process data and draft manuscripts independently.

1. Train undergraduate and graduate students in experimental design and data analysis
2. Wet bench research activities
   • Executing diverse activities as outlined in the granted program. This encompasses, but is not limited to, the manipulation of immune cells derived from human or mouse sources
   • Evaluate the therapeutic efficacy of modified cells in in vitro and in vivo experiments
   • Preparing data for presentation and publication
   • Collaborating with fellow researchers to support their investigations according to requirements
   • Assisting the mentor or designated people in organizing laboratory responsibilities
3. Scholarly activities including paper writing, reviewing papers, grant writing and reviewing scientific proposals
   • Assisting the mentor in reviewing papers and making notes for various scientific updates as available in PubMed and other databases. Additionally, it is necessary to prepare review and primary articles in accordance with the Principal Investigator's recommendations
   • Assisting the mentor in organizing preliminary data for the development of grant and progress reports. Maintaining the raw data in a secure and structured manner is an essential task in this endeavor
   • Assisting students in the development of their monthly reports and thesis, as per the Mentor's proposal

Qualifications:

Minimum Qualifications

PhD with molecular and/or cell biology experience

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 staff member at VCU

Preferred Qualifications

Experience with immunology and bioinformatics are considered as an extra benefit for the position

Salary Range: $65,000-$73,000

FLSA Exemption Status: Exempt

Hours per Week: 40

Restricted Position: Yes

ORP Eligible: Yes

Flexible Work Arrangement: Fully Onsite

Contact Information: Contact Email: SOMHR@vcuhealth.org