Job Abstract

The Department of Surgery at the University of Virginia’s (UVA) School of Medicine, seeks a Postdoctoral Research Associate to work in the lab of Dr. Russell Witt. The Research Associate will participate in the planning, design, execution, and management of research projects in Dr. Russell Witt’s foundational biological/health science research laboratory at the Comprehensive Cancer Center, focusing on melanoma cancer research. Dr. Witt’s lab studies the interactions between obesity, sex hormones, and melanoma treatment responses. For more information regarding the lab, please see: https://wittlab.squarespace.com/.

Essential Duties Breakdown:

• 60% Research Project Management and Execution:
  • Participates in the planning, design, execution, and management of cancer research projects.
  • Develops and implements study goals and objectives.
  • Designs and executes complex laboratory experiments and performs advanced molecular and cellular techniques.
  • Collects, analyzes, and interprets research data.
  • Develops and implements new or revised research methodologies and techniques.
  • Tests experimental designs, sampling techniques, and analytical methods, making recommendations for their use.
  • Establishes controls, criteria, and research standards.
  • Performs critical analysis of relevant literature.
  • Manages laboratory activities and coordinates work assignments of research staff, graduate, and undergraduate students.

• 25% Research Documentation and Funding:
  • Assists in preparing research papers and manuscripts for publication and presentations at national conferences and workshops.
  • Assists the principal investigator in preparing proposals for new or renewed extramural funding.

• 15% Lab Management and Maintenance:
  • Provides updates to the principal investigator on research progress.
  • Oversees and coordinates periodic maintenance and testing of laboratory equipment.
  • Maintains mouse colony.
  • 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:

• Education: PhD and/or MD degree in an appropriate biological/health science.
• Ability to translate, adapt, and apply academic and/or practical knowledge in conducting biological/health science research is required.
• Experience in a biological/health science research capacity is preferred.

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.

To Apply:

Please apply through the UVA job board, and search for R0061531. Internal applicants must apply through their UVA Workday profile by searchinFind Jobs'.   Complete an application online with the following documents:

• CV/Resume
• Cover letter
• Contact information for 3 references

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.

For questions about the application process, please contact Jessica Russo, Academic 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 (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, veteran status, and family medical or genetic information.