Research Associate in Chemistry

Company: University of Virginia
Location: Charlottesville
Posted on: June 6, 2021

Job Description:

The Department of Chemistry at the University of Virginia invites applications for a postdoctoral research-associate position to work in the lab of Marcos Pires, Associate Professor. Of particular interest at this time is experience with animal experiments and microbiology.

The Postdoctoral Research Associate will work as part of a team of scientists to design and synthesize small molecules, peptides, or express proteins that label live bacterial cells. The focus is primarily on synthetic components and analysis in bacterial cells. Research duties will include protein expression and purification from bacteria and subsequent modification (bioconjugation) and peptide synthesis in solution phase and/or solid phase. Responsibilities may include bacterial cell-based assay development and optimization, elucidation of biologically relevant targets/mechanisms of action, flow cytometry analysis, and confocal microscopy. Postdoctoral Fellow will publish their findings in high impact, peer-reviewed journals and be co-inventors on patents related to their work.

The Pires research group has recently demonstrated that several cell wall biosynthetic enzymes display broad substrate promiscuity. Their research team has pioneered a novel strategy to graft haptens onto bacterial surfaces to recruit endogenous antibodies with the ultimate goal of enlisting the immune system to clear bacterial infections. Moving forward, the Pires laboratory will develop a transformative class of cell wall probes that reveal key features of cell wall sensing and remodeling dynamics in live cells. Their advances in this area demonstrate that their research team can be highly competitive as they expand their methodologies to elucidate how bacterial cell walls are detected by the human immune system and how cell wall structural modifications control bacterial drug resistant phenotypes.

APPLICATION PROCEDURE: Apply online at https://uva.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com/UVAJobs and attach a maximum one-page cover letter, a curriculum vitae, maximum three-page statement of their research interests, experience, and plans, and the contact information for three individuals who can provide professional reference letters. The University will perform background checks on all new hires prior to employment.

APPLICATION DEADLINE: Review of applications will begin on March 9, 2020, but the position will remain open until filled. Starting date is flexible, but the anticipated start date is June 1, 2020. The University will perform background checks on all new hires prior to employment.

This is a one-year appointment; however, the appointment may be renewed for two additional one-year terms, contingent upon available funding and satisfactory performance.

For questions about the position, please contact Marcos Pires, Associate Professor, at marcospires@virginia.edu.

For questions about the application, please contact Rich Haverstrom, Faculty Search Advisor, at rkh6j@virginia.edu

For more information on the benefits available to postdoctoral associates at UVA, visit postdoc.virginia.edu and hr.virginia.edu/benefits.

The University of Virginia, including the UVA Health System and the University Physician's Group are fundamentally committed to the diversity of our faculty and staff. We believe diversity is excellence expressing itself through every person's perspectives and lived experiences. We are equal opportunity and affirmative action employers. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, color, disability, gender identity or expression, marital status, national or ethnic origin, political affiliation, race, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, veteran status, and family medical or genetic information.

Keywords: University of Virginia, Charlottesville , Research Associate in Chemistry, Other , Charlottesville, Virginia