Part-Time Research Scientist, Dept. of Oral & Craniofacial Molecular Biology, School of Dentistry

Summary:

The Philips Institute for Oral Health Research in the Departmentof Oral and Craniofacial Molecular Biology at the Virginia CommonwealthUniversity (VCU) School of Dentistry is seeking a part time (.75 FTE) Research Scientistfor the Lab of Oral & Craniofacial Innovation (LOCI). This restrictedposition is fully supported by extramural grant funding and focuses on theapplication of single-cell and spatial multiomics approaches to oral tissuebiology disease and regeneration. VCU ranks among the top 20 institutions nationwidefor NIDCR funding with most of the funding awarded to investigators at thePhilips Institute. The Research Scientist will play a central role in advancingNIH-funded projects that define the molecular and spatial architecture of oraltissues in health and disease with an emphasis on precision diagnostics andtargeted interventions. The successful candidate will work alongsideinterdisciplinary teams of biologists pathologists and computationalscientists to lead research focused on epithelial-stromal interactions immunesignaling and multicellular organization in the oral mucosa. This role offersexcellent benefits collaborative opportunities and strong potential forscientific growth and independent project leadership. The Research Scientistwill lead and execute high-impact research projects focused on the spatial andsingle-cell profiling of oral tissues. This is .75 FTE and is arestrictedposition and 100% grant funded.

Position Responsibilities:

The Research Scientist at LOCI responsibilities include designingand performing experiments using spatial transcriptomics spatial proteomicsand single-cell RNA sequencing; collaborating with a multidisciplinary team toinvestigate cellular crosstalk in oral health cancer and inflammation; andanalyzing and interpreting multiomic datasets with support from computationalcollaborators. The candidate will also contribute to manuscript and grantpreparation present findings at scientific meetings assist in mentoringjunior lab members support collaborative initiatives within LOCI and thebroader VCU community and maintain accurate records while adhering tolaboratory protocols and institutional compliance.

Preferred Qualifications

• Ph.D. in biology molecular biology genetics biomedical sciences or a related field with at least two years of postdoctoral experience
• A strong background on molecular and cellular biology techniques
• Demonstrated expertise in single-cell RNA-seq and/or spatial multiomic platforms (e.g. 10x Genomics Xenium Vizgen MERSCOPE Akoya CODEX/PCF or related technology
• Strong molecular and cellular biology background with proficiency in tissue processing RNA handling and imaging
• Must be self-motivated eager to learn and reliable
• Experience with single-cell RNA-seq and/or spatial multiomics design implementation and analysis
• Ability to work well independently and as a part of a team
• Willingness to mentor junior lab personnel
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Proven track record of publishing in peer-reviewed journals
• Attention to detail in experimental techniques and record keeping is critical
• 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 faculty member at VCU

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience with oral head and neck or epithelial biology research
• Familiarity with tumor biology stromal-epithelial interactions or mucosal immunology
• Proficiency in computational biology or bioinformatics especially in spatial data analysis

**This is .75 FTE restrictedposition and 100% grant funded.

Dr. Kevin Byrd