Research Scientist - Dept. of Neuroscience and Anatomy
Research Scientist - Dept. of Neuroscience and Anatomy
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Job Description
All full-time 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 tax-deferred annuity and cash match programs employee discounts well-being resources abundant opportunities for career development and advancement and more. Learn more about VCUs benefits here.
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.
Position Summary:
We are seekingapplications from highly motivated Research Scientists to join the Departmentof Neuroscience and Anatomy at Virginia Commonwealth University. The researchfocus of our lab is on chronic pain mechanisms and translationalneuroscience. The Research Scientist will be responsible for establishinglaboratory operations developing and conducting research experimentssupervising research activities and overseeing administrative functions inconjunction with the Principal Investigator.
Specific Duties:
1.)Laboratory Establishment& Operations:
- Support laboratoryinfrastructure including equipment setup safety protocols and standardoperating procedures
2.) Research Leadership & Development
- Design and execute behavioral pharmacological and molecular experiments related to chronic pain research
- Implement improvements and innovations in research methodologies and experimental design
3.)Grant Writing &Funding:
- Assist Principal Investigator in developing research strategies and long-term funding plans
- Prepare preliminary data literature reviews and experimental design sections for grant proposals
4.)Training &Supervision:
- Mentor trainees in experimental design data analysis and scientific communication
- Supervise day-to-day laboratory operations and coordinate research activities among team members
5.)Scientific Communication& Compliance:
- Present research findingsat national and international conferences
- Maintain current knowledge of scientific literature in pain research and related fields
- Ensure compliance with alluniversity and regulatory requirements (IACUC DEA OEHS)
- Serve as primary contact for regulatory inspections and compliance activities
Minimum Hiring Standards:
- Ph.D. degree in Neuroscience Cell Biology Pharmacology or related biomedical field
- Minimum 3 years of postdoctoral or equivalent research experience in pain research or neuroscience
- Demonstrated expertise in rodent behavioral testing particularly pain and sensory assessment models
- Strong background in pharmacological approaches to drug development and testing
- Proven track record of first-author publications in peer-reviewed journals
- Experience with grant writing and securing research funding
- Documented experience in training and supervising research personnel
- Knowledge of regulatory compliance requirements for animal research and controlled substances
- Proficiency in statistical analysis software (R SPSS GraphPad Prism) and data visualization
- 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
Preferred Hiring Standards:
- Background in preclinical drug development and translational research
- Demonstrated leadership experience in academic or research settings
- Experience with advanced techniques such as optogenetics calcium imaging or electrophysiology
- Experience with contract research organizations NIH and industry collaborations
Application Requirements:
- Cover letter addressing research interests and career goals
- Curriculum vitae
- Names and contact information for three professional references
Application Deadline: 10/1/25
Contact Information: For questions aboutthis position please contact: Andrew Crowther Assistant Professor Departmentof Neuroscience and Anatomy Email:
The School of Medicine continuously strives for our workplace and learning environment to reflect the demographic and social milieu of the communities we serve. All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply.
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!
ORP ELigible: Yes
SOMHR
Employment Type
Full Time
