Postdoctoral Research Associate, Department of Surgery

The Department of Surgery seeks a Postdoctoral Research Associate to conduct research in the laboratory of Dr. Melina Kibbe and Dr. Nick Tsihlis. The laboratory pursues basic science and translational research in the fields of vascular biology, biomedical engineering, materials science, nanotechnology, and device development, among others. The Kibbe-Tsihlis Lab consists of a multidisciplinary group where scientists and physicians work together to achieve a common goal. We are looking for an extremely talented and highly motivated candidate to work on the development, characterization, and evaluation of novel drug-eluting therapies for patients with vascular disease, inhalation burn injury, and/or hemorrhage. Specifically, the research involves the fields of nanomedicine, biomaterials, polymer chemistry, and vascular biology.

The projected start date for the Research Associate is July 2025.

Essential Duties Breakdown:

70% - Participates in planning, design, execution, and management of research projects, studies, and activities in a research laboratory investigating vascular disease, inhalation burn injury, and/or hemorrhage; participates in the execution of ongoing research projects; participates in developing and implementing goals and objectives of studies; designs and executes complex laboratory experiments; performs advanced molecular and cellular techniques; collects, analyzes, and interprets research data; assists with development and implementation of new and/or revised research methodologies and techniques; tests experimental designs, sampling techniques, and analytical methods and makes recommendations for utilization; assists in establishment of controls, criteria, and research standards; performs critical analysis of literature relevant to research; coordinates laboratory activities and work assignments of undergraduate, graduate, and medical students, as well as laboratory research staff.

20% - Responsible for the presentation of data at local, regional, and national meetings, conferences, and workshops; preparation and submission of manuscripts for publication in peer-reviewed journals; preparation and submission of grant applications, project reports, and other documents; assists principal investigator in the preparation of proposals to obtain new or renewal of extramural funding in support of research.

10% - Provides updates to PI on progress of research; oversees and coordinates periodic maintenance and testing of laboratory equipment; performs additional duties as assigned.

Postdoctoral employment is temporary and is normally limited to an individual who has been awarded a Ph.D. or equivalent doctorate within the previous five years and who will be involved in full-time research or scholarship at the University. Employment as a Postdoctoral Research Associate is viewed as training and is preparatory for a full-time academic or research career, is supervised by a senior scholar, and allows the appointee to publish the results of his/her research or scholarship during the training period.

The position is a 12-month appointment with the possibility of renewal contingent upon satisfactory performance and the availability of funding.

Minimum Qualifications:
Doctoral degree (MD, DO, or PhD) in Cell Biology, Physiology, Pharmacology, Materials Science, Biomedical Engineering, or related field.

Ability to translate, adapt, and apply academic and/or practical knowledge in the conduct of biological/health science research is required. The successful candidate must have a strong background and research experience in vascular biology, physiology, pharmacology, biomedical engineering, or materials science. Experience in animal surgery, tissue harvesting, tissue sectioning, fluorescence microscopy, and standard laboratory techniques (UV-vis spectroscopy, ELISA, western blotting) is preferred. This position also requires evidence of publications in peer-reviewed scientific journals, presentations at national/international scientific meetings, and preparation and submission of applications for external grant funding.

The position will remain open until filled. This is an exempt-level, benefitted position. The University will perform background checks on all new hires prior to employment. A pre-employment health screening is required. This position is located in Charlottesville, VA. This position will not sponsor applicants for work visas.

To Apply:

Please apply through the UVA job board, and search for R0069622. Internal applicants must apply through their UVA Workday profile by searching 'Find Jobs'. Complete an application online with the following documents:

• CV/Resume
• Cover letter

Upload all materials into the resume submission field, multiple documents can be submitted into this one field. Alternatively, merge all documents into one PDF for submission. Applications that do not contain all required documents will not receive full consideration.

References will be completed via UVA's standardized process Skill Survey during the final phase of the interview process.

For questions about the application process, please contact Jessica Russo, Senior Recruiter, at sxv9zv@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 which represents the UVA Medical Center, Schools of Medicine and Nursing, UVA Physician's Group and the Claude Moore Health Sciences Library, 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, pregnancy, sexual orientation, veteran or military status, and family medical or genetic information.