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

Emory University•Atlanta, GA

8h•Onsite

About The Position

The Associate Academic Research Scientist serves as a core scientific contributor in the Schinazi Lab, an antiviral drug discovery and development program focused on HIV, hepatitis B, herpesviruses, and emerging viral pathogens. The laboratory brings together expertise in medicinal chemistry, virology, molecular biology, toxicology, pharmacology, and immunology. The role supports research ranging from bench studies to drug development and requires strong hands-on expertise in cellular and molecular virology. The successful candidate independently executes complex workflows for antiviral assay development, drug efficacy testing, and in vivo evaluation in rodents, and contributes to assay validation, data rigor, documentation, and training junior personnel in a collaborative, high-throughput research environment. The position performs highly technical and complex research duties and requires documented scientific achievements and growing technical, management, leadership, and professional expertise to advance basic and/or translational research programs. Work includes experimental execution and interpretation, improving research approaches, contributing to protocol development and compliance documents, overseeing research quality, and supporting scientific communication and laboratory operations. The position is performed in person at an Emory University location; remote work is not an option.

Requirements

PhD or MD and five years of professional-level experience, or a master's degree and ten years of professional-level experience in a technical or research laboratory.
Laboratory experience must be relevant to the area of assignment.
Internship experience and experience gained before attaining the qualifying degree do not count toward the required work experience.
Applicants with an MD or equivalent degree must be eligible for a Georgia medical license.
Strong hands-on laboratory expertise in cellular and molecular virology.
Ability to independently execute complex experimental workflows and maintain precision and reproducibility.
Demonstrated knowledge of research and experimental platforms for analyzing, designing, and interpreting results.
Ability to troubleshoot experimental challenges and recommend practical solutions.
Working knowledge of biosafety practices, with BSL-2+ required for preferred qualifications.
Strong written and verbal scientific communication skills, including documentation and presentation abilities.
Ability to collaborate in multidisciplinary teams and mentor junior personnel.
High attention to detail, strong time-management abilities, and a methodical approach to experimental work.
Maintains a high code of ethics.
Must perform position tasks in person at an Emory University location; remote work is not an option.

Nice To Haves

PhD in Virology, Molecular Biology, Cellular Biology, Microbiology, or a closely related discipline; alternatively, a master's degree with substantial equivalent research experience.
Three to five years of progressively responsible laboratory research experience in virology, antiviral research, or a related field, including independent execution of complex workflows.
Demonstrated competence in mammalian cell culture, viral propagation and quantification, qPCR, Western blotting, ELISA, and immunoassays.
BSL-3 experience.
Experience mentoring junior personnel and working within multidisciplinary teams.

Responsibilities

Independently perform molecular, cellular, and virological techniques supporting antiviral drug discovery and mechanism-of-action studies.
Execute antiviral efficacy assays, cytotoxicity tests, and viral replication inhibition studies with precision and reproducibility, following protocols and SOPs.
Culture and maintain mammalian cell lines; produce and quantify viral stocks; and perform downstream molecular analyses such as nucleic acid purification, qPCR, Western blotting, and immunoassays.
Troubleshoot routine and moderately complex experimental challenges and recommend practical improvements to assay performance and workflow efficiency.
Analyze and interpret experimental results and prepare charts, graphs, and written summaries for review, team meetings, and presentations.
Prepare and maintain protocols, SOPs, study records, technical documentation, and reports.
Contribute to manuscript preparation and scientific presentations as appropriate.
Investigate and recommend alternative approaches to improve the quality of basic and/or translational research results.
Contribute advanced knowledge and input to protocol development and facilitate training of team members.
Manage teams and provide leadership on scientific projects as assigned.
Assist with IACUC, IRB, Biosafety, and other approval documents.
Oversee quality assurance of research conducted by other team members.
Assist with grant and other funding applications as appropriate; with approval, may lead individual research projects or take full responsibility for specific instrumentation or methodology development and user support.
With approval of the responsible faculty director, may serve as principal investigator on funded proposals.
Support workflow coordination, inventory and supply management, and equipment upkeep in a large, multi-lab research environment.
Follow biosafety requirements, including work in BSL-2+ and BSL-3 settings as applicable, institutional and regulatory guidelines, and proper handling, storage, and disposal of biological and hazardous materials.
Perform other responsibilities as required.