Staff Scientist/Postdoctoral Scientist – Molecular Virology

Texas Biomedical Research Institute is seeking a full-time Molecular Virologist to join Dr. Diako Ebrahimi's Lab in San Antonio, Texas. This open position can be filled at the Postdoctoral Scientist or Staff Scientist level, depending on the candidate's experience and career development plan. The candidate will work on NIH-funded projects investigating donor-specific virus-host interaction mechanisms across human and nonhuman primate models. This position offers unique research and career development opportunities across disciplines, including virology, genomics, evolution, and bioinformatics.

Dr. Ebrahimi's Lab includes diverse expertise across experimental and quantitative fields, providing unique cross-disciplinary training opportunities in bioinformatics and big data techniques, such as machine learning and deep learning. Additionally, Texas Biomedical Research Institute offers exceptional research and training resources, including access to BSL3 and BSL4 labs, the Southwest National Primate Research Center (SNPRC), a comprehensive infectious disease program focusing on SARS-CoV-2, HIV, malaria, schistosomiasis, Ebola, Zika, hepatitis C, and TB, as well as outstanding imaging, computational, and sequencing facilities.

The Institute also provides several career development programs, including grant writing and leadership courses, and access to prestigious internal grant funding opportunities. Texas Biomed faculty hold adjunct appointments at two universities in San Antonio (UTSA and UTHSCSA), offering additional training and career development resources for employees at Texas Biomedical Research Institute.

THE ROLE:

• Prepares and assists in the preparation of grants, manuscripts, and reports.
• Independently designs, troubleshoots, and conducts molecular biology and virology experiments involving techniques such as transfection, infectivity assays, flow cytometry, microscopy, PCR, Western blot, cell culture, ELISA, RNA immunoprecipitation, sequencing, and CRISPR.
• Maintains record of all experiments performed and data collected to ensure quality and integrity of data.
• Presents research findings at seminars and scientific meetings.
• Works in a cross-disciplinary team and contributes to collaborative studies.

OUR IDEAL CANDIDATE:

Required: Ph.D. in molecular biology, virology, biochemistry, genetics, or a related discipline. Experience in standard lab techniques and molecular virology methods, including techniques used in HIV/SIV research. Willing to learn new techniques required for the projects, Excellent communication skills in English (verbal and written)

Preferred: Experience in BSL2+; next generation sequencing (single cell and long-read sequencing), knowledge of data analysis and bioinformatic techniques; familiarity with databases such as Los Alamos, UCSC Genome Browser, and 1000Genomes.

This is a full-time salaried (exempt) position. Texas Biomedical Research Institute business hours are Monday through Friday - 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Occasional after hours or weekend cell culture maintenance will be necessary. Texas Biomedical Research Institute is committed to a drug-free workplace. Pre-employment drug screen is required.

WHO WE ARE:

Texas Biomedical Research Institute is one of the world's leading independent biomedical research institutions dedicated to advancing global human health through innovative biomedical research. Texas Biomed aims to unravel the mysteries of infectious diseases through innovative thinking, creative problem solving and cutting-edge technologies.

WHAT WE CAN OFFER YOU:

• Competitive pay and career development opportunities
• 7% Employer funded retirement contribution starting day one
• Full insurance benefits
• Holidays, PTO and a paid week off in the last week of December
• We are proud of our commitment to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging!

Texas Biomedical Research Institute provides equal employment opportunities for all qualified employees and applicants without regard to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, national origin, disability, veteran status, age, marital status, pregnancy, genetic information, or other legally protected status.

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