Researcher - Infectious Disease and International Medicine

Job Duties & Responsibilities 
70% - Research
Primary duties and responsibilities will include, but are not limited to, studies of virus-host interactions using HIV-1 as a system model. Projects include analyzing HIV-1 interactions with neutralizing antibodies using viral assays, PCR amplification of HIV-1 genes from samples of infected individuals, and monitoring viral active and latent replication in primary cells.  The successful candidate will be responsible for developing independently new applications of viral assays, developing new methods to analyze libraries of HIV-1 Env mutants at high depth, and constructing new approaches to study HIV-1 reservoir in samples from people who live with HIV-1.   The successful candidate will work in BSL2 and BSL2+/BSL3 environment and build and use viral reporter systems to study the interactions of viruses with the cellular machinery. The research work involves RNA-seq and transcriptomic analysis using state-of-the-art instrument for single cell analysis, next generation sequencing, sort of infected cells using flow cytometry, and different molecular biology techniques to clone or modify genes. The work also involves interaction with other lab member(s), participation in lab meeting, and supervision of undergraduate students. 30% - Data Analysis, Presentations, and Manuscript Preparation 
Analysis of experimental results. The successful candidate will use different computer programs to analyze viral neutralization assays and antibody binding. Analysis of flow cytometry results will be done using FlowJo or Cyflogic programs and involves analysis of fluorescence readouts, live/dead cells discrimination and multi color compensation. Development of research directions according to the main project aims and the ongoing experiments.  Preparation of figures and manuscripts based on the results.  Reading literature related to the research projects and developing collaborations with other research groups.  Preparation of data for presentations

Required Qualifications (Must be documented in all application materials)
⢠BS/BA in biology, microbiology, or a similar field and 4 years of related experience or a Master's degree and 2 years of related experience
⢠Strong critical thinking skills and ability to develop independently new directions in the lab
⢠Experience and demonstrated skills in next generation sequencing technology and analysis 
⢠Proficiency in viral neutralization assay 
⢠Excellent communication and organization skills with exemplary scientific record keeping 
⢠Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications, including Word, Excel, and Power Point
⢠Ability to work independently, solve problems, work under pressure and manage multiple tasks
⢠Experience and skills in molecular biology including cloning, site directed mutagenesis, PCR and analyzing DNA sequencing results
⢠Demonstrated experience in immunological methods such as ELISA, antibody characterization, and western blot.
⢠Experience and ability to analyze scientific data, present the research results and prepare manuscripts for publication.
⢠Enthusiastic to work in new lab studying virus host interactions; proactive, open-minded, creative and willing to learn   Preferred Qualifications 
⢠Advanced degree in biology, microbiology or related field
⢠Experience working individually and in groups 
⢠Ability to carry out research protocols from written or oral instructions from lab director
⢠Experience in work with bacteria, human cells/tissues and viruses, including HIV-1, in a BL2+/BSL3 facility
⢠High proficiency in tissue culture work with different cell lines, isolation of RNA, analysis of gene expression using microarrays or RNA-seq, and isolation of Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells (PBMC) from blood
⢠Experience with flow cytometry techniques and multi-parameter analysis

About University of Minnesota Twin Cities

The University of Minnesota, founded in the belief that all people are enriched by understanding, is dedicated to the advancement of learning and the search for truth; to the sharing of this knowledge through education for a diverse community; and to the application of this knowledge to benefit the people of the state, the nation, and the world.