Postdoctoral Research Associate - Molecular Microbiology

Position Summary
The Vogel laboratory studies the bacterial pathogen Legionella pneumophila, which is the causative agent of a form of pneumonia called Legionnaires’ Disease. Legionella is able to cause disease by surviving and replicating within alveolar macrophages in mammalian lungs. Our lab’s primary focus is on a specialized type IV secretion system in Legionella, Dot/Icm, which is used to translocate ~300 toxins into host cells. Examples of current projects involve (1) the polar localization of the Dot/Icm T4SS, (2) chaperone-mediated export of Dot/Icm substrates, and (3) the structural characterization of the Dot/Icm by X-ray crystallography and cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM).
This position assists with the technical aspects of studies and experiments, including documentation and preparation of materials.

Job Description

Details of Dr. Vogel’s laboratory, on-going research projects, and recent publications can be found at vogellab.wustl.edu .

Primary Duties and Responsibilities

• Assists with research studies, experiments and assays, including collection of data, preparation of solutions and set-up and maintenance of equipment.
• Performs data entry and maintains data files on research.
• Prepares tissue cultures, reagents, probe tests, etc.
• Complies with established safety procedures and maintains required documentation on laboratory and specimen conditions.
• Ensures lab conditions and equipment are properly cleaned and maintained in accordance with established procedures.
• Assists with general lab maintenance and cleaning.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Working Conditions

This position works in a laboratory environment with potential exposure to biological and chemical hazards. The individual must be physically able to wear protective equipment and to provide standard care to research animals.

Preferred Qualifications

• Basic microbiology skills.
• Proficiency in common molecular biology techniques including cloning, PCR, Western blots, etc.
• Working knowledge of Excel, Photoshop, and Prism. 
• Experience in mammalian cell culture and/or microscopy.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and communicate with laboratory staff and investigators.
• Ability to maintain complete and organized records/reports.
• Working knowledge of computer software and general lab equipment.

Required Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree and up to one year of experience in a laboratory setting or an equivalent combination of education and experience equaling four years.

Grade
R06-H

Salary Range
$15.61 - $24.39 / Hourly

The salary range reflects base salaries paid for positions in a given job grade across the University. Individual rates within the range will be determined by factors including one's qualifications and performance, equity with others in the department, market rates for positions within the same grade and department budget.

Pre-Employment Screening
All external candidates receiving an offer for employment will be required to submit to pre-employment screening for this position. The screenings will include criminal background check and, as applicable for the position, other background checks, drug screen, an employment and education or licensure/certification verification, physical examination, certain vaccinations and/or governmental registry checks. All offers are contingent upon successful completion of required screening.

Benefits Statement
Washington University in St. Louis is committed to providing a comprehensive and competitive benefits package to our employees. Benefits eligibility is subject to employment status, full-time equivalent (FTE) workload, and weekly standard hours. Please visit our website at https://hr.wustl.edu/benefits/ to view a summary of benefits.

EEO/AA Statement
Washington University is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to an individual’s sex, race, color, religion, age, disability status, protected veteran status, national or ethnic origin, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation. Women, minorities, protected veterans and the disabled are strongly encouraged to apply.

Diversity Statement
Washington University is dedicated to building a diverse community of individuals who are committed to contributing to an inclusive environment – fostering respect for all and welcoming individuals from diverse backgrounds, experiences and perspectives. Individuals with a commitment to these values are encouraged to apply.

Applicant Instructions
When you are ready to apply, creating an account only takes a minute. Your account creates a candidate home page which we will use to communicate with you and allows you to apply for jobs and view your application statuses. The first page of the application offers two “Quick Apply” options. Quick Apply allows you to either use a previous application or create a new application using a resume to populate the work experience and education sections of your job application. If using a resume to populate your application, check to ensure the application fields populated accurately. You may skip the “Quick Apply” page by clicking “Next” at the bottom of the page. Documents may be uploaded in the My Experience section of the application. You also have the option to apply with a Linkedin feature, which allows you to apply by using your Linkedin profile to populate some of the job application fields.

Scheduled Hours
40

Position Summary
The Vogel laboratory studies the bacterial pathogen Legionella pneumophila, which is the causative agent of a form of pneumonia called Legionnaires’ Disease. Legionella is able to cause disease by surviving and replicating within alveolar macrophages in mammalian lungs. Our lab’s primary focus is on a specialized type IV secretion system in Legionella, Dot/Icm, which is used to translocate ~300 toxins into host cells. Examples of current projects involve (1) the polar localization of the Dot/Icm T4SS, (2) chaperone-mediated export of Dot/Icm substrates, and (3) the structural characterization of the Dot/Icm by X-ray crystallography and cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM).
This position assists with the technical aspects of studies and experiments, including documentation and preparation of materials.

Job Description

Details of Dr. Vogel’s laboratory, on-going research projects, and recent publications can be found at vogellab.wustl.edu .

Primary Duties and Responsibilities

• Assists with research studies, experiments and assays, including collection of data, preparation of solutions and set-up and maintenance of equipment.
• Performs data entry and maintains data files on research.
• Prepares tissue cultures, reagents, probe tests, etc.
• Complies with established safety procedures and maintains required documentation on laboratory and specimen conditions.
• Ensures lab conditions and equipment are properly cleaned and maintained in accordance with established procedures.
• Assists with general lab maintenance and cleaning.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Working Conditions

This position works in a laboratory environment with potential exposure to biological and chemical hazards. The individual must be physically able to wear protective equipment and to provide standard care to research animals.

Preferred Qualifications

• Basic microbiology skills.
• Proficiency in common molecular biology techniques including cloning, PCR, Western blots, etc.
• Working knowledge of Excel, Photoshop, and Prism. 
• Experience in mammalian cell culture and/or microscopy.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and communicate with laboratory staff and investigators.
• Ability to maintain complete and organized records/reports.
• Working knowledge of computer software and general lab equipment.

Required Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree and up to one year of experience in a laboratory setting or an equivalent combination of education and experience equaling four years.

Grade
R06-H

Salary Range
$15.61 - $24.39 / Hourly

The salary range reflects base salaries paid for positions in a given job grade across the University. Individual rates within the range will be determined by factors including one's qualifications and performance, equity with others in the department, market rates for positions within the same grade and department budget.

Pre-Employment Screening
All external candidates receiving an offer for employment will be required to submit to pre-employment screening for this position. The screenings will include criminal background check and, as applicable for the position, other background checks, drug screen, an employment and education or licensure/certification verification, physical examination, certain vaccinations and/or governmental registry checks. All offers are contingent upon successful completion of required screening.

Benefits Statement
Washington University in St. Louis is committed to providing a comprehensive and competitive benefits package to our employees. Benefits eligibility is subject to employment status, full-time equivalent (FTE) workload, and weekly standard hours. Please visit our website at https://hr.wustl.edu/benefits/ to view a summary of benefits.

EEO/AA Statement
Washington University is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to an individual’s sex, race, color, religion, age, disability status, protected veteran status, national or ethnic origin, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation. Women, minorities, protected veterans and the disabled are strongly encouraged to apply.

Diversity Statement
Washington University is dedicated to building a diverse community of individuals who are committed to contributing to an inclusive environment – fostering respect for all and welcoming individuals from diverse backgrounds, experiences and perspectives. Individuals with a commitment to these values are encouraged to apply.

Applicant Instructions
When you are ready to apply, creating an account only takes a minute. Your account creates a candidate home page which we will use to communicate with you and allows you to apply for jobs and view your application statuses. The first page of the application offers two “Quick Apply” options. Quick Apply allows you to either use a previous application or create a new application using a resume to populate the work experience and education sections of your job application. If using a resume to populate your application, check to ensure the application fields populated accurately. You may skip the “Quick Apply” page by clicking “Next” at the bottom of the page. Documents may be uploaded in the My Experience section of the application. You also have the option to apply with a Linkedin feature, which allows you to apply by using your Linkedin profile to populate some of the job application fields.