Advertising Summary: Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) School of Medicine is a premier academic medical center located in the heart of Richmond. Accounting for almost half of VCU’s sponsored research, the School of Medicine is internationally recognized for patient care and education. Virginia Commonwealth University is an equal opportunity employer.
Unit: School Of Medicine MBU
Department: Microbiology and Immunology
Department Summary: Located on the MCV Campus in downtown Richmond, the Department of Microbiology and Immunology is home to a vibrant community of researchers, educators and learners. With a strong history of research funding, our department strives to advance scientific knowledge in the biomedical sciences and inform medical advancements that improve patient outcomes. Our innovative studies span a broad spectrum of areas within the fields of microbiology and immunology:
- Allergy and autoimmunity
- Host-pathogen interactions and molecular pathogenesis
- Human microbiome science and microbial genomics
- Reproductive immunology
- T-cell therapy and vaccine development
- Tumor biology, cell signaling and epigenetics
As educators, we are proud to provide a collaborative, collegial learning environment for our students. Faculty and postdoctoral fellows serve as dedicated mentors, providing an individualized educational experience and shaping the next generation of successful scientists.
Duties & Responsibilities:
We are seeking an experienced and skilled Senior Staff Scientist to join our research laboratory led by Dr. Chien-Huan (Gil) Weng in the Department of Microbiology and Immunology at VCU Health and Massey Comprehensive Cancer Center.
Our laboratory focuses on Cancer Immunology and Immunotherapy, exploring both innate and adaptive immune pathways (such as T cell exhaustion, myeloid-stromal crosstalk, and tumor microenvironment immunosuppression) that compromise anti-tumor immunity. Our research aims to design novel approaches for cancer therapy and boost the efficacy of current immunotherapies.
Working under the direct guidance and supervision of the Principal Investigator (PI), the Senior Staff Scientist will serve as a primary experimental lead in the laboratory. This position is responsible for executing complex high-dimensional experimental protocols, troubleshooting advanced scientific assays, generating preliminary data for NIH and foundation grant applications, and contributing data for high-impact peer-reviewed publications. The candidate will also assist with lab organization, protocol maintenance, and technical training for students and junior trainees.
Key Job Responsibilities:
- Advanced Experimental Execution & Assay Development: Lead and execute advanced immunological and molecular techniques, including high-dimensional flow cytometry (FACS/spectral flow), primary cell isolation, immune profiling, bulk/single-cell RNA sequencing preparation, molecular cloning, Western blotting, RT-qPCR, and functional T-cell and myeloid cell assays.
- Translational Research & Human Specimen Analysis: Process and analyze clinical tumor and blood specimens from cancer patients in collaboration with Massey Comprehensive Cancer Center physician-scientists.
- In Vivo & Cellular Phenotyping: Direct murine tumor models (syngeneic and xenograft), adoptive cell transfers, in vivo antibody treatments, tissue processing, and immune cell phenotyping.
- Data Generation & Publication Support: Analyze complex datasets, maintain meticulous records, troubleshoot technical workflows, and prepare publication-ready figures and methods sections for manuscripts and grant proposals driven by the PI.
- Operational Oversight & Technical Mentorship: Oversee mouse colony management, genotyping, biosafety/IACUC protocol compliance, specialized equipment maintenance, and reagent inventory. Train and mentor graduate students and research technicians on experimental methods under the PI’s direction.
- Communication & Collaboration: Maintain open, clear communication with the PI and collaborative teams, presenting technical findings clearly during lab meetings and departmental seminars.
Qualifications:
Minimum Qualifications
- Education: Ph.D., M.D., or M.D./Ph.D. in Immunology, Cancer Biology, Molecular Biology, Biochemistry, or a related Life Sciences discipline.
- Experience: Minimum of 5 – 10 years of post-doctoral or advanced post-degree wet-bench research laboratory experience in immunology, cancer biology, or relevant biomedical fields.
- Core Technical Competencies: Demonstrated expert capability in:
- Multiparameter flow cytometry (FACS) design, execution, and immunophenotyping.
- In vivo murine tumor models, tissue processing, and cell separation protocols.
- In vitro cell culture, immune functional assays to assess functional crosstalk between immune cells and tumor cells.
- Molecular biology techniques (DNA/RNA extractions, qPCR, protein detection assays).
- Capacity to troubleshoot complex technical assays under PI direction
- 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
- Strong technical background in T cell biology, myeloid cell immunology, single-cell genomics, or spatial proteomics.
- Experience handling biospecimens and clinical trial samples.
- Record of author or co-authored contributions to peer-reviewed scientific publications.
- Excellent organizational skills and commitment to rigorous record-keeping and lab safety standards.
Salary Range: $80,000-$95,000
Benefits: All full-time university staff are eligible for VCU’s robust benefits package that includes comprehensive health benefits, paid annual and holiday leave, 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.
FLSA Exemption Status: Exempt
Hours per Week: 40
Restricted Position: This is a restricted position with no set end date; continued employment is dependent upon project need, availability of funding, and performance.
ORP Eligible: Yes
Flexible Work Arrangement: Fully Onsite
University Job Title: Sr. Scientist RS 1-3 (33244-33246)
Contact Information:
Contact Name: Dr. Chien-Huan (Gil) Weng, Ph.D.
Contact Email: chgweng@gmail.com
