February 16, 2018
Post-doctoral Research Position in Infectious Diseases
The Idaho Veterans Research & Education Foundation (IVREF), a non-profit entity affiliated with the VA Medical Center in Boise, Idaho, announces a Post-doctoral Research Position opening in the multi-disciplinary Center of Excellence in Emerging/Reemerging Infectious Diseases. All research performed through IVREF is undertaken to advance the health of America’s veterans. This full-time postdoctoral position will focus on elucidating the host- pathogen interactions mediating necrotizing bacterial infections. Special consideration will be given to candidates with demonstrated experience in pathogenic microbiology, or human immunology. Excellent English communication skills and evidence of scientific accomplishments are required.
This position is that of a Post-doctoral Research Fellow (Level 1) in the field of bacterial pathogenesis and host response. The candidate will be within 5 years of having obtained a PhD in microbiology, immunology, cell biology, biochemistry or related discipline and have 0-2 years of successful related post-doctoral experience, as indicated by one or more first- or co-authored publications in peer-reviewed journals and/or submission of grant applications for federal funding support (or equivalent) at the trainee level.
The successful candidate will be part of an innovative, cutting-edge infectious disease research group, where s/he will work with early-stage Principal Investigators and interface with internationally recognized Senior Investigators. Post-doctoral research fellows will be supported as they transition into Early Stage Investigators, including receiving one-on-one professional mentorship; however, awarded funding from the IDeA Network for Biomedical Research Excellence (INBRE) for this position is only available for one year, beginning May 1st, 2018. The successful candidate will be expected to actively participate as a team member of the research group, including participating in the planning, design, and execution of research projects, preparation of research manuscripts and grant proposals, and mentorship of undergraduate and graduate student research fellows.
Under the direction of the Principal Investigator, the incumbent will conduct day-to-day research laboratory operations, provide oversight of technical staff as assigned, and prepare research findings for use in peer-reviewed journals. S/he will also initiate new research directions to further this important field of research and in coordination with the PI may seek funding support for such research.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities include the following. Other duties may be assigned.
·        Completes ongoing research experiments to fulfill the PI’s project objectives to ensure that the goals of funded research proposal are met in a timely fashion.
·        Conducts and supervises the day-to-day operations of the PI’s research laboratory.
·        Troubleshoots and optimizes existing research protocols and techniques.
·        As directed by PI, may assist in managing the daily work of research staff including setting workloads, goals, priorities and timelines, and reviewing work for quality and timeliness.
·        Generates and analyzes data from a wide variety of highly sophisticated laboratory techniques and analytic instrumentation, with specific tasks depending upon the PI’s research program. Activities may include (but not be limited to): basic and advanced microbiology and molecular biology techniques, in vitro cell signaling pathway analysis, animal models of infection, and proteomic and genomic analyses.
Analyzes data using computer technology and applications, and/or statistical analysis.
·        Presents and discusses findings with the PI, other scientists and personnel to evaluate validity of findings.
·        As directed by the PI, proposes new research directions, including planning and conducting experiments and gathering and preparing new data for use in preparation of nationally competitive grant applications (VA, NIH, etc.).
·        Establishes scientific collaborations with investigators at the Boise VAMC and at other local, national and international institutions.
·        Serves as a resource for the local scientific and medical communities.
·        Participates fully in the local academic community by attendance at networking meetings and seminars.
·        Serves on appropriate committees/subcommittees as assigned.
·        Mentors undergraduate and graduate students.
·        Actively participates in weekly research meetings and provides expertise in the area of immunology, molecular microbiology biology, microbial pathogenesis or related field, as it relates to pathogenesis and host response.
·        Provides technical expertise to research faculty and students.
·        Represents laboratory at professional meetings and conferences and presents research findings.
·        In collaboration with the PI, may prepare reports or papers of completed projects for publication in technical journals, presentation to regulatory or grant-making agencies, or use in further research activities.
·        Complies with safety and security policies and procedures.
·        Reports potentially unsafe conditions or unethical practices.
·        Works well with others.
Supervisory Responsibilities
As directed, may supervise the PI’s research technical staff and students. Carries out assigned supervisory responsibilities in accordance with IVREF and VA policies and applicable laws.
May participate in interviews for new hires and/or promotional considerations, and adheres to IVREF and VA policies regarding safe practices and ethical conduct in the biomedical research laboratory.
Qualifications
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Education and/or Experience
A Doctoral degree (Ph.D.) or equivalent in a scientific discipline is required. One or more first- or co-authored publications in peer-reviewed scientific journals is required. Demonstrated experience in preparing applications for federal research support for trainee/mentored research (or equivalent) is preferred.
Language Skills
The following language skills are required: ability to read, analyze, and interpret common English scientific and technical journals, financial reports, and legal documents; ability to respond to common inquiries from technical and administrative staff, regulatory agencies, or members of the scientific community; ability to write abstracts and manuscripts for publication that conform to prescribed style and format; possess excellent verbal and written communication skills including the ability to effectively present information to investigators, supervisors, upper management, public groups, and/or boards of directors.
Mathematical Skills
The following mathematical skills are required: ability to apply basic and advanced mathematical concepts such as probability and statistical inference; ability to apply concepts and mathematical operations to such tasks as frequency distribution, determination of test reliability and validity, analysis of variance, correlation techniques, sampling theory, and factor analysis.
Reasoning Ability
The following reasoning skills are required: ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions; ability to interpret an extensive variety of technical instructions presented in scientific, mathematical or diagrammatic form and deal with several abstract and concrete variables; must exhibit sound judgment and independent thinking in developing, conducting and analyzing results from several research protocols such that the work is completed in a sound and timely fashion; must maintain awareness of the progress of the field and in other competitive laboratories and to utilize this knowledge in determining direction and pace of research activities.
Certificates, Licenses, Registrations
N/A
Other Skills and Abilities
The following other skills are required: ability to network with local, national and international organizations and individuals including research professionals, funding agencies and government officials; proficient in the use of computer programs including Outlook, Excel, Word and PowerPoint; ability to work independently, adjust to abrupt changes in priorities and meet multiple project deadlines. Proficiency with data analysis software is strongly preferred.
Other Qualifications Physical Demands
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to sit and use hands to finger, handle, or feel. The employee is occasionally required to stand, walk, and reach with hands and arms. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 20 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, color vision and ability to adjust focus.
Work Environment
The work environment is that of a research laboratory setting. The characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet. Employee may be exposed to laboratory chemical and microbiological hazards and will be offered enrollment in the Occupational Health Screening program. Work will require travel nationally and internationally as needed.
Salary: The incumbent will be an employee of the Idaho Veterans Research & Education Foundation (IVREF). Salary range is $47,000 – $55,000 annually, following NIH guidelines, and is an exempt position with full benefits. Benefits include employee sponsored health, dental, vision, life, AD&D insurance; retirement option; and paid time-off.
Equal Opportunity Employer: IVREF is committed to achieving academic and research excellence through cultural diversity and is an EEO institution. We encourage applications from men and women of all ethnicities and religions, and members of underrepresented groups. All candidates must provide proof of their current eligibility to work in the USA, and successfully complete a Federal criminal background check. IVREF maintains a drug-free workplace.
Interested Applicants: Please submit a cover letter, a curriculum vitae that includes a summary of completed and ongoing research awards (if any), and current contact information for three professional references. In addition, provide copies of, or links to, no more than three relevant publications. Please send application material electronically as a single PDF file to: abryant@ivref.org. Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled.
Additional information, including research project details, can be found at www.ivref.org