Research Scientist- UVA Kulkarni Laboratory

University of Virginia

3d•Onsite

About The Position

The Kulkarni Laboratory in the Department of Cell Biology at the University of Virginia seeks a highly motivated Research Scientist to drive a funded research program focused on microtubule organization and dynamics in multiciliated epithelial cells (MCCs). This project aims to define how specialized microtubule networks regulate basal body migration, docking, centriole amplification, and ciliogenesis, and how dysregulation of these processes leads to impaired mucociliary function and epithelial disease. The work will integrate loss-of-function and gain-of-function approaches across multiple experimental systems, including Xenopus embryos, mouse models, and mammalian epithelial and cancer cell lines. A major emphasis will be on mechanistic dissection of microtubule–basal body interactions, microtubule binding and bundling activities, and downstream cellular consequences, including aberrant centriole behavior, nuclear defects, and altered cell architecture. The Research Scientist will play a central role in experimental design and execution, and in data interpretation, and will have opportunities to collaborate with other UVA laboratories with expertise in advanced imaging, mouse genetics, and cilia-related disease models. Applicants should have strong experience in cell and developmental biology, including recombinant DNA techniques, mammalian cell culture, transfection, immunofluorescence microscopy, and basic protein biochemistry. Expertise in live-cell imaging, quantitative image analysis, electron microscopy, or microtubule biology is highly desirable, as is familiarity with statistical analysis of biological data. This position offers the opportunity to lead a conceptually rigorous, mechanistically deep research program at the intersection of cytoskeletal biology, multiciliated cell development, and disease, within a highly collaborative, well-resourced environment.

Requirements

Applicants should have strong experience in cell and developmental biology, including recombinant DNA techniques, mammalian cell culture, transfection, immunofluorescence microscopy, and basic protein biochemistry.
Requires a doctoral degree or master's degree with significant experience.

Nice To Haves

Expertise in live-cell imaging, quantitative image analysis, electron microscopy, or microtubule biology is highly desirable, as is familiarity with statistical analysis of biological data.
a Ph.D. degree in biomedical science, in a field such as physiology, cell biology, immunology, or developmental biology.
Skills in conducting in vivo animal experiments in Xenopus.
Proficiency in molecular and cell biology techniques, including microinjections, recombinant DNA construction, protein biochemistry, cell culture, transfection, and immunofluorescence microscopy.
Some experience in basic protein biochemistry is preferred, including Western blot analysis, protein expression, and recombinant protein purification.