Research Scientist, Hematology & Oncology

UVA Health•Charlottesville, VA

23h•Onsite

About The Position

The Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology & Oncology, at the University of Virginia seeks a full-time Research Scientist to join the research team in the laboratory of Dr. Charles E. Chalfant. The position is supervised by Dr. Chalfant and is based fully on-site in Charlottesville, Virginia. The start date is as soon as possible. The role is 100% grant funded, with funding from Dr. Chalfant’s National Institutes of Health grants, and is included in the FY26 budget. Initial appointments and reappointments may be made in increments of one to three years, contingent on satisfactory performance and funding availability. The Chalfant laboratory has a strong track record of extramural funding, including multiple grants from the National Institutes of Health and the Veterans Administration. Its research advances understanding of RNA splicing and lipid signaling in cancer, cardiovascular disease, wound healing, infectious disease, and diabetes, with the goal of identifying mechanisms that can be precisely targeted to improve clinical outcomes and developing therapeutics against those targets. The Research Scientist will lead projects in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and wound healing; oversee vertebrate animal studies, IACUC compliance, biostatistics and bioinformatics, and laboratory ordering; develop and conduct experimental approaches for tumorigenesis induction in genetically engineered mouse models (GEMMs) and for acute and chronic wound healing; and train laboratory personnel. The candidate is expected to expand research ideas, develop additional skills, contribute to grant writing, and prepare and present research papers. The position is exempt-level and benefited. Salary will be commensurate with education and experience. The work is primarily sedentary and involves extensive desktop computer use, with occasional travel some distance to attend meetings and programs. Background checks and pre-employment health screenings are required for new hires.

Requirements

Doctoral degree, preferably a PhD, MD, or equivalent, in Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, Immunology, or a related field; a master's degree with significant experience may also be accepted.
Strong proficiency in wound healing, manuscript preparation, hands-on animal experiments, mouse colony maintenance, IACUC protocol construction and modification, UVA ordering systems or equivalent, laboratory personnel training, biostatistics, and splicomic bioinformatics.
Excellent organizational and written and verbal communication skills.
Ability to work independently and cross-culturally in diverse environments.

Nice To Haves

A minimum of 6–8 years of experience is preferred.
Substantial knowledge and skills to foster innovative ideas and interests in splicomics and wound healing, with a solid track record of research productivity during PhD and postdoctoral training.
Background in molecular biology techniques such as CRISPR/Cas9, lentivirus, or adenovirus; lipid signaling; lipidomics; or RNA splicing.
Experience training and mentoring others.

Responsibilities

Serve as project lead for NSCLC and wound healing projects.
Oversee vertebrate animal studies and IACUC compliance in the research group.
Develop and undertake experimental approaches in GEMM studies to induce tumorigenesis.
Oversee laboratory biostatistics and bioinformatics.
Develop and undertake experimental approaches in acute and chronic wound healing.
Oversee laboratory ordering.
Train laboratory personnel in the relevant research areas.
Contribute to writing grants and constructing and presenting research papers.