Postdoctoral Scholar

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East Carolina University ( ECU) is consistently ranked among the nation's top public universities for its commitment to research, innovation, social mobility, and public service. Classified as a R1 institution by the Carnegie Commission on Higher Education, ECU is among the top 5% of research universities in the United States, an elite designation reflecting the highest levels of research activity, funding, and doctoral output.

Founded in 1907, ECU is a public, four-year university located in Greenville, N.C., which and is widely regarded as the cultural, educational, economic, and medical hub of eastern North Carolina. Through education, research, healthcare, community engagement, athletics, cultural enrichment, and service, ECU enhances the quality of life for its students, the state and communities around the world. It is a great place to work, teach, and learn.

ECU's commitment to impactful scholarship is further demonstrated through its repeated Carnegie Community Engagement Classification (2010, 2015, 2024), as well as its 2024 designation as a Carnegie Leadership for Public Purpose institution. These distinctions recognize the university's leadership in translating research into meaningful community partnerships and measurable societal benefits.

The university supports its workforce through a wide range of professional development opportunities designed to foster career growth and skill advancement. Eligible employees also benefit from a comprehensive benefits package that promotes a healthy work-life balance.

The Department of Microbiology and Immunology is a distinguished research and teaching facility of East Carolina University School of Medicine, consisting of approximately 50 people. This department provides an academic base for teacher-scientists employed by the School of Medicine at East Carolina University in the disciplines of microbiology, immunology, molecular biology, and other related disciplines. The department provides instruction to medical students and dental students, and provides instruction, guidance, and research experience to Ph.D. and M.S. students seeking degrees in microbiology and immunology. The department also offers a postdoctoral research training program. The department supports an array of faculty-directed research programs of which many are supported by extramural grants and/or contracts. The department provides service to the school, university, state, nation, and profession through the activities of faculty members on committees, study sections, in professional organizations, as consultants, and through other activities.

The postdoctoral scholar is responsible for independent and collaborative development, implementation, and analysis of scientific research in the discipline of virology, immunology, genetics, molecular biology, and biochemistry. Responsibilities include management of all aspects of cell culture, primary cell isolation, virus preparation, virus infection analysis, flow cytometry, next-generation sequencing, protein expression analysis, in vitro and in vivo experimentation, and vector construction.

Duties include: hypothesis development, literature review, collection of pilot data, report writing, and supervision of undergraduate research students and graduate research students, overseeing data collection procedures, supervising experimental procedures, review of data for quality control, supervision of data entry/data analysis, analysis of research hypothesis using descriptive and multivariate statistics, and the development of independent and collaborative presentations and publications.

Scholars are expected to demonstrate compliance with established guidelines and regulatory standards for research, including biosafety, responsible conduct of research, and human subjects training.

Approximately 95% of the postdoctoral scholar's time will be devoted to experiments related to the project.

Approximately 5% of the postdoctoral scholar's time will be devoted to managing the day-to-day activities of undergraduate and graduate research students in the laboratory.

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PhD degree in virology, particularly with experience in the area of retroviruses and/or lentiviruses.

To be considered for this position, all applicants must apply through PeopleAdmin and attach their CV or resume, cover letter, and names and contact information of 3 references. Appointments are typically for one year. Five years (typically five appointments of one year) is typically the maximum total period that any individual may serve as a Scholar.

Work Authorization Notice: Applicants who are eligible for J-1, F-1 OPT or STEM OPT are welcome to apply. Please note, however, that we are unable to provide nonimmigrant sponsorship such as H-1B for this position.

In order to be considered for this position, applicants must complete a candidate profile online via the PeopleAdmin system and submit any requested documents. Additionally, applicants that possess the preferred education and experience must also possess the minimum education/experience, if applicable.

Unless otherwise identified in the applicable job posting and consistent with University policy, the University will principally employ individuals who reside in the State of North Carolina to the greatest extent practicable. As such, most positions at East Carolina University require employees to live and work in North Carolina (or live within a reasonable daily commuting distance from their duty station) after hire. Candidates should be prepared to relocate within a reasonable, agreed-upon time after an offer of employment has been made and accepted to meet this requirement.

East Carolina University is committed to workforce success and cultivating a culture of care for our employees. ECU prohibits unlawful discrimination and harassment based on race/ethnicity, color, genetic information, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability, political affiliation, and veteran status. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to their protected veteran status or disability.

Individuals requesting accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act Amendments Act ( ADAAA) should contact the ADA Coordinator at (252) 737-1018 (Voice/ TTY) or ADA-Coordinator@ecu.edu.

Final candidates are subject to criminal & sex offender background checks. Some vacancies also require credit or motor vehicle checks. ECU participates in E-Verify. Federal law requires all employers to verify the identity and employment eligibility of all persons hired to work in the United States.

If you experience any problems accessing the system or have questions about the application process, please contact the Department for People Operations, Success, and Opportunity at (252) 328-9847 or toll free at 1-866-489-1740 or send an email to employment@ecu.edu. Our office is available to provide assistance Monday-Friday from 8:00-5:00 EST.