Associate Academic Research Scientist | School of Medicine - Pediatrics, Emory LOBP

Emory University • Atlanta, GA

17h • Onsite

About The Position

The Associate Academic Research Scientist performs a wide range of highly technical and complex research duties and has documented scientific achievements and increasing technical, management, leadership, and professional expertise necessary to advance basic and/or translational research programs. This role involves designing and performing laboratory experiments with live viral agents requiring BSL-2+ and BSL-3 containment, developing and optimizing protocols for viral culture and manipulation, and conducting various antiviral and viral quantification assays. The scientist will analyze and interpret experimental data, assist in manuscript and grant preparation, and maintain strict compliance with biosafety practices and institutional regulations. Additionally, this role includes maintaining laboratory supplies, training and mentoring junior staff, and performing other related responsibilities to support the lab's research mission.

Requirements

• PhD and one year of professional level experience in a technical or research lab OR master's degree and three years of professional level experience in a technical or research lab OR bachelor's degree and five years of professional level experience in a technical or research lab.
• Laboratory experience should be based on area of assignment.
• Internship experience or experience prior to attaining the qualifying degree is not considered eligible work experience for this job classification.

Nice To Haves

• Ph.D. in Virology, Microbiology, Molecular Biology, or a closely related field.
• Minimum of three (3) years of postdoctoral or equivalent professional research experience in virology.
• Demonstrated hands-on experience working in BSL-2+ and BSL-3 laboratory environments.
• Experience handling high-containment or high-consequence viral pathogens.
• Experience in virus-like particle (VLP) production and purification.
• Proficiency in molecular virology techniques, mammalian cell culture, and viral quantification assays.
• Experience with antiviral testing and evaluation studies.

Responsibilities

• Performs a wide range of highly technical and complex research duties.
• Investigates and recommends potential alternative approaches to improve the quality of results of basic and/or translational research.
• Demonstrates increased responsibility through management of teams and leadership of scientific projects by applying advanced knowledge, skills, and input necessary for protocol development, as well as facilitating in some training aspects of other team members.
• Aids in writing IACUC, IRB, Biosafety and other approval documents.
• Oversees quality assurance of research conducted by other team members.
• May assist in grant and other funding applications as necessary and appropriate, or with approval of the responsible faculty director, may have their own research projects and/or have full responsibilities for specific areas of instrumentation or methodology development and user support.
• With the approval of the responsible Emory faculty director, the Associate Academic Research Scientist may serve as the principal investigator on funded (grant) proposals.
• Design and perform laboratory experiments involving live viral agents requiring BSL-2+ and BSL-3 containment.
• Develop, optimize, and implement protocols for viral culture, characterization, quantification, and manipulation.
• Conduct antiviral efficacy assays, viral titration assays (e.g., plaque assays, TCID50), neutralization assays, and molecular analyses (qPCR, ELISA, etc).
• Analyze and interpret experimental data; assist in preparation of manuscripts, reports, and grant applications.
• Maintain strict compliance with BSL-2+ and BSL-3 biosafety practices, including proper use of PPE, decontamination procedures, waste management, and regulatory documentation.
• Ensure adherence to institutional, NIH and CDC regulations, where applicable.
• Maintain laboratory supplies, viral inventories, and assist with equipment maintenance and certification (e.g., biosafety cabinets, incubators, centrifuges).
• Train and mentor graduate students, undergraduate researchers, and laboratory staff in virology experimental techniques and high-containment best practices.
• Perform related responsibilities as required to support the research mission of the lab.

Benefits

• Emory is an equal opportunity employer, and qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, protected veteran status or other characteristics protected by state or federal law.
• Emory University does not discriminate in admissions, educational programs, or employment, including recruitment, hiring, promotions, transfers, discipline, terminations, wage and salary administration, benefits, and training.
• Students, faculty, and staff are assured of participation in university programs and in the use of facilities without such discrimination.
• Emory University complies with Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Vietnam Era Veteran's Readjustment Assistance Act, and applicable executive orders, federal and state regulations regarding nondiscrimination, equal opportunity, and affirmative action (for protected veterans and individuals with disabilities).
• Emory University is committed to ensuring equal access and providing reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities upon request.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree