Research Associate - Ross Lab

The James Ross Lab in the Department of Neuroscience, the Center of Brain Immunology and Glia (BIG), and the University of Virginia Comprehensive Cancer Center is seeking to hire a highly motivated, detail-oriented, and ambitious Postdoc/Research Associate.

Position Summary

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 years1 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.

Responsibilities

The postdoc will work on projects related to pediatric high-grade glioma in the Ross Lab. The candidate will have access to state-of the art technologies including flow cytometry, microscopy, and single-cell sequencing among others. The projects are focused on determining how tumor associated macrophages and microglia acquire alternatively activated states in pHGG and identifying novel therapeutic vulnerabilities to reinvigorate the anti-tumor immune response. An emphasis on clinical translation will be made, including utilizing patient tissue samples and sequencing data. More details about specific projects will be shared during the interview process. Routine methods used in the lab are flow cytometry, immunohistochemistry, next generation sequencing, and primary cell cultures among others. The applicant will be responsible for managing their project, contributing to data analysis, performing molecular studies, and helping to train Graduate Students. The applicant must be able and willing to work with mice and human tissue samples. The applicant must also be willing to learn new techniques and analytical skills as required. The ideal candidate would be a highly motivated self-starter who has experience with performing immunological studies and experiments as well as working with mice. Additionally, neuroscience knowledge is a plus but not required. Last, a strong publication record is highly desirable. The candidate will work closely with the principal investigator on experimental methodology, data analysis, manuscript writing, and fellowship grant writing. A strong emphasis on mentorship and professional development will be made to facilitate the post-doctoral fellow’s transition to the next step in their career. This includes support for conferences, networking opportunities, and fellowship writing among others.

Minimum Qualifications

Education: Doctoral degree Physical Demands This is primarily a sedentary job involving extensive use of desktop computers. The job does occasionally require traveling some distance to attend meetings, and programs. Position Type & Work Location This is an exempt-level, benefited position. Learn more about UVA benefits. This is a restricted position, which is dependent on funding and is contingent upon funding availability. This position is based in Charlottesville, VA, and must be performed fully on-site. About UVA and the Community To learn more about UVA and in the Charlottesville area, visit UVA Life and Embark CVA. Application Timeline Application review will begin after October 20, 2025. Additional Requirements Background checks and pre-employment health screenings will be conducted on all new hires prior to employment.