Post-Doctoral Fellow - Microbiology and Immunology

Extract, purify and quality-control DNA and RNA from vaginal swabs, cytobrush specimens, tissue and clinical specimens Perform digital PCR, quantitative PCR, and multiplex cytokine immunoassay. Construct plasmids and recombinant DNA constructs as projects require.

Prepare total RNA libraries with dual rRNA depletion, coordinate sequencing runs with the VCU Genomics Core, and perform quality assessment of resulting libraries and data.

Prepare and fix cervicovaginal cytobrush specimens for probe-based single-cell profiling on the 10x Chromium X platform, including sample dissociation, fixation, probe hybridization, and library construction. Prepare samples for flow cytometric immunophenotyping with the Flow Cytometry Shared Resource.

Prepare fresh-frozen and FFPE tissue sections for spatial profiling, and generate libraries using the CytAssist and Visium HD platforms in coordination with the Genomics Core and TDAAC.

Generate shotgun metagenomic libraries from vaginal specimens and, where projects require, sequence bacterial isolates and assemble their genomes.

Apply and optimize enrichment strategies for low-biomass specimens, including host depletion, microbial enrichment, and targeted probe-based capture. Troubleshoot and adapt protocols to new specimen types, and document validated procedures for laboratory use.

Generate 16S rRNA amplicon libraries and assign community types, working with the bioinformatics team on downstream taxonomic assignment.

Take a leading role in drafting manuscripts, prepare data and metadata for deposition in public and controlled-access repositories, and present findings at laboratory meetings and scientific conferences.

Minimum Qualifications

• Ph.D. in microbiology, molecular biology, genomics, immunology, cell biology, or a related discipline.
• Demonstrated hands-on experience with molecular biology techniques, including nucleic acid extraction, quantification, and PCR.
• Experience preparing sequencing libraries or comparable experience with high-throughput molecular methods.
• Evidence of scientific productivity, including at least one first-author peer-reviewed publication or manuscript under review.
• Meticulous record-keeping and a demonstrated capacity to work independently and as part of a multidisciplinary team.
• 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 with RNA sequencing library preparation, including rRNA depletion and stranded library chemistries.
• Experience with single-cell transcriptomics, particularly 10x Genomics platforms and fixed or probe-based workflows.
• Experience with spatial transcriptomics (Visium, CytAssist, GeoMx) or with tissue sectioning and histology.
• Experience with low-biomass samples and the contamination controls they require.
• Experience with microbiome methods: 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing, shotgun metagenomics, or metatranscriptomics.
• Experience with digital PCR, multiplex immunoassay, or flow cytometry.
• Anaerobic bacterial culture experience.
• Background or interest in reproductive biology, mucosal immunology, or host-microbe interactions.
• Experience training or supervising junior laboratory personnel.

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