Post-Doc Research Associate (Heise Lab)

A global higher education leader in innovative teaching, research and public service, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill consistently ranks as one of the nation's top public universities and is among is the top ten research universities in the nation for federal research expenditures as well as for federally funded social and behavioral sciences research and development.

Here at Carolina, our highly skilled postdocs play a vital role in our research enterprise and towards our overall commitment to research excellence. Across many disciplines, postdocs contribute to the intellectual vitality of the University. They provide innovative ideas and perspectives, foster a stimulating research environment and advance knowledge within their fields. Postdocs are crucial members of our scientific research workforce, contributors to our research outputs and an important reason why Carolina is one of the leading public research institutions in the country.

UNC-Chapel Hill offers postdocs comprehensive medical and vision coverage, paid leave, and benefits and services that support professional development and a healthy work/life balance. Chapel Hill regularly ranks as one of the best college towns and best places to live in the United States, a reputation guided by the diverse social, cultural, recreation and professional opportunities that span the campus and community.

Primary Purpose of Organizational Unit

The mission of the Genetics department is to provide basic and applied genetic/genomic research, education, and training at the interface between biology, chemistry, physics, computer science, mathematics, the social sciences, public health, and medicine to have a profound effect on how medicine will be practiced in the future.

Our graduate programs train students to be creative, sophisticated research scientists prepared to pursue careers focused on genetics and genomics working in academic science, government, or commercial positions. Students conduct their dissertation research using diverse experimental approaches - from classical genetics to the most modern molecular methods - to address a broad range of contemporary problems in biomedical science.

The Department also includes a clinical arm focused on medical genetics, which covers the broad spectrum of clinical genetic research from disease prevention to diagnosis and treatment. This specialty includes evaluation, mutation discovery, counseling and risk assessment through analysis and genetic testing. Locating the clinical group alongside basic scientists facilitates integration of cutting-edge genetic research with patient care.

Position Summary

The postdoctoral research scholar will identify and study domains in viral proteins that are conserved across alphaviruses or coronaviruses with the goal of determining their function and testing whether these domains represent potential antiviral drug targets. The postdoctoral fellow will use a combination of molecular virology, bioinformatics, biochemical, immunology, and viral pathogenesis techniques to characterize these candidate functional domains for their role in viral replication or pathogenesis. They will also use a variety of molecular virology and biochemical methods to test whether these target sites can be bound by small molecule inhibitors, and whether these compounds will prevent viral replication and protect from virus-induced disease. Similar approaches will be taken to test the role of host factors in promoting viral replication, and testing whether inhibitors of these host pathways affect virus replication or protect from virus-induced disease. The position will require work at both BSL2 and BSL3 safety levels.

Minimum Education and Experience Requirements

Ph.D. or equivalent in Virology, Microbiology, Immunology, or Biology

Required Qualifications, Competencies, and Experience

The position requires experience with virology and immunology.

Preferred Qualifications, Competencies, and Experience

PhD level research experience

Special Physical/Mental Requirements Special Instructions

For information on UNC Postdoctoral Benefits and Services click here

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