Job Description

Research Scientist Or Research Associate In Chemical Biology For Immunology

The Pompano Laboratory at the University of Virginia welcomes applications for a new colleague to join our team in either a Research Scientist or Postdoctoral Research Associate role. This position is focused on projects that feature chemical biology, bioanalytical chemistry, biochemistry and molecular biology, and/or immunology. Potential projects include developing methods for spatially resolved protein detection in live tissues, advancing ex vivo lymphoid culture models, and testing drugs and immunotherapies in murine and human lymph node models. Depending on the interests of the candidate, there is the potential for entrepreneurial development of the protein detection system. This new lab member will join the vibrant intellectual community at UVA, including participating in seminars and research-in-progress talks in the topic area of their choice. They will write impactful scientific papers and present their work at national and/or international conferences. Postdoctoral scholars and Research Scientists participate in grant writing, mentoring, and aspects of lab management, as appropriate to career goals. Once established, they help provide leadership within the lab, assist in the training of graduate and undergraduate students, help maintain a high-energy and collegial lab culture. All lab members maintain detailed scientific records of their work and help keep laboratory safety regulations.

Our laboratory develops bioanalytical methods, ex vivo culture systems, and organs-on-chip to study events that lead to the immune response, such as during vaccination, infection, or chronic disease. Our work is truly interdisciplinary, and we are cross-affiliated with the Departments of Chemistry and Biomedical Engineering, as well as the Carter Immunology Center and UVA Cancer Center. We value diverse perspectives and cultivate an inclusive and collegial environment. Learn more at

The historic University of Virginia is consistently ranked one of the top 3 public universities in the country by US News and World Report, with a vibrant research enterprise that supports cross-disciplinary scholarship. We are located in beautiful Charlottesville, VA, near the Blue Ridge mountains, with a strong cultural and restaurant scene and college town energy. Travel to Washington, DC in just two hours, or the Atlantic Ocean in three.

Qualifications And Choice Of Position

Applicants may choose which position to apply for, based on level of experience, professional goals, and desired training opportunities.

• To be considered for a position as Postdoctoral Research Associate, completion of a Ph.D. in a related discipline is required by the appointment start date. In no particular order, this may be Biochemistry, Immunology, Chemistry, Biomedical Engineering, or other related fields. Postdoctoral scholars in the Pompano lab receive excellent training for their chosen career, with an emphasis on training for future leadership positions. Starting salary for Postdoctoral scholars is set to the NIH NRSA scale, and Postdoctoral scholars are supported to transition to their next career stage in 2-3 years.
• To be considered for a position as a Research Scientist, a Masters degree with 5+ years of related experience or a PhD with 3+ years of post-PhD experience in a related field is required. Research Scientists receive continued career development, with the potential for long term employment if mutually satisfactory (contingent on availability of funding). Starting salary for Research Scientists is $60,000 - $70,000, dependent on qualifications and experience.

Required skills and experience:

• Ability to clearly explain the goals and impact of your prior research in written and verbal communication, e.g. in your cover letter and in an interview
• Curiosity to learn new techniques and skills
• Demonstrated ability to bring a project to completion
• Ability to collaborate with team members of different backgrounds
• Ability to prioritize tasks and advance multiple projects simultaneously
• A dedication to quality, partnership, mutual respect, and safety

Candidates with at least two of the following related scientific skills/experience will be given priority:

• Experience with peptide or protein biochemistry and bioconjugation chemistry
• Chemical biology methods, such as design of molecular probes, binders, linkers, or biorthogonal chemistry
• Immunoassays or other detail-oriented bioassays
• Molecular biology methods such as PCR, RNAseq, Western blots, protein expression, etc
• Bioanalytical assay development and validation
• Aseptic mammalian tissue culture and cell-based assays
• Multi-color fluorescence microscopy or live fluorescence imaging
• Multi-color flow cytometry, including panel design and data analysis
• Spatial biology methods
• Experience studying adaptive immunity, e.g. in the context of vaccine development, cancer immunity, neuroimmunity, or autoimmunity

Application Procedure

Apply online at Please submit the following as a single combined PDF in the "Resume" field. The cover letter is mandatory.

• A cover letter that explains why you are interested in joining the Pompano lab, how the project and position fit into your career goals, and a brief summary of your relevant research experience (1 - 2 pages).
• Curriculum vitae with contact information for three (3) references. Listing references represents permission to contact them unless you specify otherwise in your cover letter.

Application deadline: Review of applications will begin on March 1, 2025 but the position will remain open until filled.

For questions regarding this position, please contact Prof. Rebecca Pompano, Ph.D., at [email protected]. For questions about the application process, please contact Rich Haverstrom, Faculty Search Advisor, at [email protected]. For more information on the benefits available to postdoctoral associates at UVA, visit postdoc.virginia.edu.

The University of Virginia is an equal opportunity employer. All interested persons are encouraged to apply, including veterans and individuals with disabilities. Click here to read more about UVA's commitment to non-discrimination and equal opportunity employment.

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