Research Scientist - Massey
Research Scientist - Massey
Employer Active
Job Alert
You will be updated with latest job alerts via email
Share
Job Alert
You will be updated with latest job alerts via email
Job Description
All fulltime university staff are eligible for VCUs robust benefits package that includes: comprehensive health benefits paid annual and holiday leave granted up front generous tuition benefit retirement planning and savings options taxdeferred annuity and cash match programs employee discounts wellbeing resources abundant opportunities for career development and advancement and more. Learn more about VCUs benefits here.
Massey Comprehensive Cancer Center Mission
To improve the lives of all Virginians by delivering cuttingedge cancer care through patientcentered prevention and treatment; highimpact innovative research; community input and engagement; and education and training of the next generation of researchers and healthcare professionals.
VCU is committed to hiring veterans! VCU will include a veterans period(s) of military service in the calculation of their annual leave accrual rate. This may provide veterans with an increased leave accrual!
The university and the region
VCU is a public research university unlike any other dedicated to serving the needs of students and patients. Inclusion is our heartbeat and it drives us to tackle difficult challenges others cant or wont. Were home to creativity teaching discovery and healing. Our location in the heart of downtown Richmond Virginia means the nonstop energy of our city ignites our innovation and provides unlimited opportunities for our students.
About Virginia Commonwealth University
We are the university for Virginia. We know that the unique backgrounds and life experiences of the VCU community are what drive the university forward. Together were forging a future that is built by us. Here artists and engineers doctors and designers come together to reimagine the human experience and tackle the problems of tomorrow.
VCU dates to 1838 with the formation of the Medical Department of HampdenSydney College whose mission was to educate physicians in central Virginia and which was later renamed Medical College of Virginia. In 1968 Richmond Professional Institute merged with the Medical College of Virginia to become what is now known as Virginia Commonwealth University.
Located in downtown Richmondthe state capital of Virginia VCU enrollsmore than 28000 students in more than 200 degree and certificate programsacross its urban campuses: the downtown Monroe Park and MCV campuses in Richmond; the Rice Rivers Center in Charles City Virginia; satellite locations in Fairfax Virginia and Abingdon Virginia; and a campus in Doha Qatar for the School of the Arts.
Ignited by the energy of the city were ready to lead industries or disrupt them. We seek out the unexpected the experimental the neverbeentried. VCU is designated as a research university with very high research activity by the Carnegie Foundation garneringmore than $500 million in sponsored researchfrom federal and other agencies in FY2024. The National Science Foundation ranked VCU amongthe top 50 public research universitiesin the country and we are one of only69 public universities nationwide to be designated by the Carnegie Foundation as Community Engaged with Very High Research Activity.
This research enterprise and the influence of having one of thenations topranked public graduate arts schools ensures students receive unique educational experiences that equip them with a creative mindset that sets them apart.
VCUs contributions in talent innovation and entrepreneurialism regional stewardship and local culture shape the economic impact and overall quality of life in the region. VCU as a whole generatesmore than $9 billion in economic activity. It is the largest employer in Richmond with more than 26000 employees at VCU and VCU Health and it supports approximately58000 jobs in Virginia. In addition Virginia classifies VCU with a Tier III status the highest possible status for universities and colleges allowing VCU more flexibility in managing its operations to implement best practices and streamline processes.To learn about VCUs finances visit.
VCUs mission under the leadership of President Michael Rao Ph.D. is to serve as one national urban public research institution dedicated to the success and wellbeing of our students patients faculty staff and community through:
Realworld learning that furthers civic engagement inquiry discovery and innovation.
Research that expands the boundaries of new knowledge and creative expression and promotes translational applications to improve the quality of human life.
Interdisciplinary collaborations and community partnerships that advance innovation enhance cultural and economic vitality and solve societys most complex challenges.
Health sciences that preserve and restore health for all people seek the cause and cure of diseases through groundbreaking research and educate those who serve humanity.
Welcome to VCU. A world unlike any other.
Benefits At a Glance
- Continuing education and professional development for undergraduate and graduate tuition in addition to mandatory fees (except the transition student fee) for a maximum of six credits per semester
- 28 University Leave Days 11 State Holidays and 2 Enhanced Community Service Leave Days
- Medical Dental and Vision Health Benefits to meet the needs of employees and their eligible family members from the Commonwealth of Virginia as well as optional FSA
- Participation in the Virginia Retirement System (VRS) and other retirement saving options
- Parental andCaregiver Leave Short Term Disability (STD) Disability Insurance Voluntary Long Term Care Insurance and Employee Assistance Program
- Professional development opportunities encouraged and offered for employees as part of annual career development e.g. certifications seminars courses annual conferences mentorship etc.
Position Primary Purpose and General Responsibilities
Massey Comprehensive Cancer Center is seeking a Research Technician to support cuttingedge translational cancer research under the supervision of Dr. Andrew Poklepovic. This position will play a critical role in projects focused on Cell Competition in Cancer Growth and Metastasis contributing to highimpact research publications and advancing our understanding of cancer dormancy tumor microenvironment interactions and metastasis. The successful candidate will be involved in advanced 2D and 3D cell culture systems confocal imaging and livecell microscopy utilizing stateoftheart imaging platforms from Leica and Zeiss.
This position requires a highly motivated and detailoriented individual with extensive experience in primary and secondary cell culture organoid culture livecell imaging and advanced microscopy techniques. The candidate will be expected to design and execute research experiments analyze data troubleshoot experimental challenges and contribute to manuscript preparation for highimpact journals. Additionally the candidate will report findings to the principal investigator collaborate with laboratory staff and students and assist in maintaining laboratory instruments.
Other job duties include but are not limited to:
- Perform and optimize 2D and 3D culture techniques including tumor organoid models derived from patient samples.
- Conduct confocal and livecell imaging experiments using Leica and Zeiss microscopy systems ensuring highquality data acquisition.
- Implement highcontent imaging and singlecell analysis methodologies for cancer dormancy and metastasis studies.
- Assist in experimental design data interpretation and troubleshooting of protocols related to cancer cell metabolism competition assays and biomarker identification.
- Maintain detailed and accurate records of research findings experimental conditions and analysis workflows.
- Collaborate with team members to drive highimpact research and contribute to publications in toptier journals (Nature EMBO Cancer Discovery etc..
- Assist with laboratory maintenance reagent preparation and compliance with safety and ethical research regulations.
- Train and mentor graduate students and junior research staff in relevant laboratory techniques.
Minimum Hiring Standards:
- Extensive experience in cell culture techniques particularly primary and secondary 2D and 3D cultures organoid cultures and patientderived tumor models.
- Expertise in livecell imaging confocal microscopy and fluorescencebased imaging techniques using Leica and Zeiss advanced systems.
- Demonstrated ability to design execute and troubleshoot experiments independently.
- Experience in manuscript preparation and scientific writing with at least one publication in a highimpact journal (e.g. Nature EMBO Cancer Discovery).
- Strong communication skills organization and ability to present research findings clearly and concisely.
- Ability to work in a highly interdisciplinary and collaborative research environment.
- A commitment to fostering a diverse and inclusive research environment.
- Demonstrated experience working in and fostering an environment of respect professionalism and civility with a population of faculty staff and students from various backgrounds and experiences or a commitment to do so as a staff member at VCU
Education:
- Masters degree in Biological Sciences Bioengineering Biotechnology Biomedical Engineering or a related field
Preferred Hiring Standards:
- Prior research experience in tumor microenvironment cancer dormancy and metastasis models.
- Handson expertise with highthroughput screening imagebased analysis or singlecell sequencing technologies.
- Familiarity with mouse models of cancer in vivo imaging and xenograft experiments.
- Experience with laboratory automation microfluidics or bioengineering approaches for cancer research.
- Doctoral degree preferred
Technical Skills:
- Proficiency in advanced imaging techniques including confocal microscopy livecell imaging and fluorescencebased methods.
- Strong expertise in cell culture methodologies particularly in primary cell isolation organoid development and patientderived cell models.
- Familiarity with laboratory automation systems for highthroughput experimental workflows.
ProblemSolving & Analytical Skills:
- Ability to analyze complex biological datasets and interpret research findings with a high level of accuracy.
- Strong troubleshooting skills in experimental design imaging protocols and cellbased assays.
- Demonstrated capability to develop novel experimental approaches to address key research questions in cancer biology.
- Ability to work independently and collaboratively to optimize protocols and improve laboratory efficiency.
- Proactive in identifying experimental inconsistencies and implementing effective solutions.
Personal Attributes:
- High levels of initiative resourcefulness and meticulous attention to detail.
- Selfstarter capable of working independently with minimal supervision.
- Strong discretion in handling sensitive and confidential information.
This position offers an exciting opportunity to contribute to groundbreaking translational research in cancer biology. We seek candidates with a passion for discovery a strong publication track record and expertise in 3D organoid cultures and imagingbased cancer research. If you have the skills and experience required we encourage you to apply and become part of our innovative research team at Massey Comprehensive Cancer Center.
About Richmond Virginia
As thecommonwealths capital Richmond Virginia offers avibrant mix of history diverse culture and realworld opportunities. Distinct neighborhoods cozy restaurants and cafes and quaint local markets give the city an intimate feel but theaters galleries music festivals sports attractions and a steady stream of annual events bring RVAas locals call the regionto life. Established in 1780 its rich history can be seen in the architecture the Capitol grounds and the cobblestone streets around the city. With thehistoric James Riverand 600 acres of parks bordering it bike trails wineries breweries a flourishing arts entertainment and restaurant scene (Food and Wine called Richmond aculinary powerhouse and affordable suburbs this small city punches well above its weight in terms of attractions and buzz. In fact Travel Leisure named Richmondthe best place to live in Virginiain 2023 and Southern Living named Richmond one ofthe 20 best cities to live in the Southin 2024.
Richmonds location in the middle of the state allows for day or weekend trips to the beach the Blue Ridge Mountains or Virginias many wineries. Its within a twohour drive of Washington D.C. and a multitude of excellent institutions of higher education. The Richmond metropolitan area is also home to severalFortune 500 companies a broad base offinancial companieshospitals and media firms hightech manufacturing companies and state and local government agencies. Entrepreneurs and artists put down roots in Richmond and Thrillist named itone of the best U.S. cities for creativesin 2022.
Beyond Richmond CNBC has named Virginiaasthe No. 1 state in the country to do business six timessince the study began in 2007.It has accomplished this by bringing in billions in capital investment and thousands of new jobs; investing in education; expanding access to quality health care for all; making sure everyone has access to opportunity; and more. Business Facilities magazine named Virginia the2024 State of the Year.Suffice to say Virginia is full of growth and opportunity making it the perfect location for a university determined to erase barriers and provide students with robust learning experiences that will make them unstoppable.
Virginia Commonwealth University is an equal opportunity affirmative action university providing access to education and employment without regard to race color religion national origin age sex political affiliation veteran status genetic information sexual orientation gender identity gender expression or disability.
** This is a restricted role is grant funded for at least three years.
Massey Cancer Center
Employment Type
Full Time
