Director of Molecular Core, Stravitz-Sanyal Institute for Liver Disease
Apply NowCompany: Virginia Commonwealth University
Location: Richmond, VA 23223
Description:
Director of Molecular Core, Stravitz-Sanyal Institute for Liver Disease
Benefits of working at VCU
All full-time university staff are eligible for VCU's robust benefits package that includes: comprehensive health benefits, paid annual and holiday leave granted up front, generous tuition benefit, retirement planning and savings options, tax-deferred annuity and cash match programs, employee discounts, well-being resources, abundant opportunities for career development and advancement, and more. Learn more about VCU's benefits here.
Job Code
32411Y-32413Y
Recruitment Pool
All Applicants
Posting Number
req7127
Unit
School Of Medicine MBU
Department
School of Medicine, Stravitz-Sanyal Institute for Liver Disease
Department Website Link
Location
VCU
Address
907 Floyd Ave, Richmond, VA 23284 USA
Duties & Responsibilities
Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) School of Medicine is a premier academic medical center located in the heart of Richmond. Accounting for almost half of VCU's sponsored research, the School of Medicine is internationally recognized for patient care and education. VCU School of Medicine comprises 18 clinical departments, eight basic health science departments, and 11 affiliated institutes and centers, and provides preeminent education to physicians and scientists in order to improve the quality of healthcare for humanity. All full-time university staff are eligible for our generous benefits package that includes choices for health, vision, and dental coverage, life-insurance, short and long-term disability coverage, retirement planning, tax-deferred annuity and cash match programs, flexible spending accounts, tuition benefits, significant paid-time off,12 paid holidays, and more. Explore our benefits further here: https://hr.vcu.edu/current-employees/benefits/university-and-academic-professional-benefits/
The Stravitz-SanyalInstitute for Liver Disease and Metabolic Health is revolutionary by design. Byconnecting research, education and care, we uncover life-changing breakthroughsand help them reach patients sooner. Our mission is to promote liver learning andtranslation of scientific discovery to improve liver-related health by radicalinnovation and integration of education, research, technology and clinicalcare.
PositionSummary:
The Stravitz-SanyalLiver Institute (SSLI) is seeking a Senior Research Scientist that will alsoact as the Director of the Molecular Core for SSLI. The Molecular Core Directorwill work collaboratively with the Director of the Biorepository and SSLI ITteam for seamless integration of molecular core and biorepository activities aswell as oversee, design and perform molecular biology studies for all approvedSSLI research projects.
Core Responsibilities:
Teaching - 20%
-Oversee training of staff and trainees in molecular biology methods.
Research- 80%
-Oversee Molecular Biology procedures (real time PCR, Digital PCR, Western blots, Nanodrop, Transfections etc.)
-Working with Tissue Core on spatial transcriptomics
-Oversee use of Molecular Biology equipment
-Work with VCU and Massey Cores to assist SSLI members to get access and support the Director of Tissue Core and Biorepository
-Ensure timeliness of molecular studies and to meet milestones established at beginning of each project
-Develop and maintain a charge master for use of molecular core for different tiers of SSLI members and for grant development
-To oversee maintenance of equipment related to molecular studies
-To meet with SSLI members who need molecular biology services to facilitate protocol development and set up study implementation and use of core facilities
-To maintain record of utilization of equipment and services for molecular and link these to grant applications and grant funding obtained using these core facilities
-Design and Analysis of specific projects related to molecular biology and participate in the design team
-Design and work with SSLI Data Core Omics scientists to design studies using spatial transcriptomics, proteomics and single cell RNA seq
-Design and implement data flow from SSLI molecular core to bioinformatics team and vice versa
-Work with Biorepository and IT teams to ensure data integrity and storage of data in a secure manner
-Participate in meetings with external sponsors related to access to director's projects and develop scope of work packages for review by the director and SSLI leadership and compliance prior to approval for sharing
-To generate reports for external entities and leadership on status of specific projects as needed
-Develop, maintain and update standard molecular biological procedural protocols for Institute members to use in their research. These will be posted on the SSLI Wiki for internal use
-Verification of the utility and quality of research reagents and equipment used for molecular biological studies
-Develop new molecular biological protocols that become available for cell and molecular biological work as requested by SSLI members and approved by the CSO
-Provide monthly (or quarterly) reports of activities, trainings, new equipment requests, concerns and new ideas for studies/techniques to the CSO
-Oversee function wide budget and ensures compliance with all regulatory standards and audits Identify training and development needs for direct reports and implement appropriate programs that will broaden knowledge base for team members. Monitor new/alternative technological trends and developments and utilizes resources and tools to implement changes that will strengthen the university Strategize with management team to identify organization needs and implements appropriate research and projects. Oversee multiple projects and programs concurrently.
-Demonstrated experience working in and fostering an environment of respect, professionalism and civility with a population of faculty, staff, and students from various backgrounds and experiences, or a commitment to do so as a staff member at VCU
Minimum HiringStandards:
-Bachelor's degree or equivalent applicable combination of training, education and experience. Preferred Master's degree or an equivalent combination of training & experience. Directors are responsible for long-range strategic planning and must possess a comprehensive knowledge of the service or functional area.
-The candidate must have published in peer reviewed journals and/or have patent applications
-10 + years of extensive experience on cell metabolism as it relates to liver health and liver disease
PreferredQualifications:
-PhD degree in Molecular Biology or related field, with postgraduate or postdoctoral training and research experience
-Conceptual thinking skills complemented by a strong quantitative orientation
-Solid people leadership experience with strong judgement, leadership, and integrity
-Ability to build and leverage the capabilities of a high performing team, as well as business partners across the business
-Conceptual thinking skills complemented by a strong quantitative orientation
-Solid people leadership experience with strong judgement, leadership, and integrity
-Ability to build and leverage the capabilities of a high performing team, as well as partners across the university
-Foster innovation, drive critical decisions, hold internal and external partners accountable, and be able to consistently deliver results
-Strategic influencing skills and the ability to drive collaboration through teams
Additional Information:
ORP Eligible: - YES
Hours / weeks - 40 hours weekly
Title Details: Director of Molecular Core
University Title: Director RS 1-3
University Code: (32411Y-32413Y)
University Job Family: Research & Innovation
The position will remain open until a candidate is selected.
Virginia Commonwealth University is an equal opportunity, affirmative action university providing access to education and employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, political affiliation, veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, or disability.
The School of Medicine continuously strives for our workplace and learning environment to reflect the demographic and social milieu of the communities we serve. All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply.
Qualifications
FLSA
University Employee
Job FTE
1.00
Exemption Status
Exempt
Restricted Position
No
E-Class
UF - University Employee FT
Job Category
University Employee
ORP Eligible
Yes
Salary Range
commensurate with experience up to $145,000
Compensation Type
Salaried
Target Hire Date
4/14/2025
Contact Information for Candidates
Demetria Patterson
demetria.patterson1@vcuhealth.org
Documents Needed to Apply
CV/Resume
Benefits of working at VCU
All full-time university staff are eligible for VCU's robust benefits package that includes: comprehensive health benefits, paid annual and holiday leave granted up front, generous tuition benefit, retirement planning and savings options, tax-deferred annuity and cash match programs, employee discounts, well-being resources, abundant opportunities for career development and advancement, and more. Learn more about VCU's benefits here.
Job Code
32411Y-32413Y
Recruitment Pool
All Applicants
Posting Number
req7127
Unit
School Of Medicine MBU
Department
School of Medicine, Stravitz-Sanyal Institute for Liver Disease
Department Website Link
Location
VCU
Address
907 Floyd Ave, Richmond, VA 23284 USA
Duties & Responsibilities
Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) School of Medicine is a premier academic medical center located in the heart of Richmond. Accounting for almost half of VCU's sponsored research, the School of Medicine is internationally recognized for patient care and education. VCU School of Medicine comprises 18 clinical departments, eight basic health science departments, and 11 affiliated institutes and centers, and provides preeminent education to physicians and scientists in order to improve the quality of healthcare for humanity. All full-time university staff are eligible for our generous benefits package that includes choices for health, vision, and dental coverage, life-insurance, short and long-term disability coverage, retirement planning, tax-deferred annuity and cash match programs, flexible spending accounts, tuition benefits, significant paid-time off,12 paid holidays, and more. Explore our benefits further here: https://hr.vcu.edu/current-employees/benefits/university-and-academic-professional-benefits/
The Stravitz-SanyalInstitute for Liver Disease and Metabolic Health is revolutionary by design. Byconnecting research, education and care, we uncover life-changing breakthroughsand help them reach patients sooner. Our mission is to promote liver learning andtranslation of scientific discovery to improve liver-related health by radicalinnovation and integration of education, research, technology and clinicalcare.
PositionSummary:
The Stravitz-SanyalLiver Institute (SSLI) is seeking a Senior Research Scientist that will alsoact as the Director of the Molecular Core for SSLI. The Molecular Core Directorwill work collaboratively with the Director of the Biorepository and SSLI ITteam for seamless integration of molecular core and biorepository activities aswell as oversee, design and perform molecular biology studies for all approvedSSLI research projects.
Core Responsibilities:
Teaching - 20%
-Oversee training of staff and trainees in molecular biology methods.
Research- 80%
-Oversee Molecular Biology procedures (real time PCR, Digital PCR, Western blots, Nanodrop, Transfections etc.)
-Working with Tissue Core on spatial transcriptomics
-Oversee use of Molecular Biology equipment
-Work with VCU and Massey Cores to assist SSLI members to get access and support the Director of Tissue Core and Biorepository
-Ensure timeliness of molecular studies and to meet milestones established at beginning of each project
-Develop and maintain a charge master for use of molecular core for different tiers of SSLI members and for grant development
-To oversee maintenance of equipment related to molecular studies
-To meet with SSLI members who need molecular biology services to facilitate protocol development and set up study implementation and use of core facilities
-To maintain record of utilization of equipment and services for molecular and link these to grant applications and grant funding obtained using these core facilities
-Design and Analysis of specific projects related to molecular biology and participate in the design team
-Design and work with SSLI Data Core Omics scientists to design studies using spatial transcriptomics, proteomics and single cell RNA seq
-Design and implement data flow from SSLI molecular core to bioinformatics team and vice versa
-Work with Biorepository and IT teams to ensure data integrity and storage of data in a secure manner
-Participate in meetings with external sponsors related to access to director's projects and develop scope of work packages for review by the director and SSLI leadership and compliance prior to approval for sharing
-To generate reports for external entities and leadership on status of specific projects as needed
-Develop, maintain and update standard molecular biological procedural protocols for Institute members to use in their research. These will be posted on the SSLI Wiki for internal use
-Verification of the utility and quality of research reagents and equipment used for molecular biological studies
-Develop new molecular biological protocols that become available for cell and molecular biological work as requested by SSLI members and approved by the CSO
-Provide monthly (or quarterly) reports of activities, trainings, new equipment requests, concerns and new ideas for studies/techniques to the CSO
-Oversee function wide budget and ensures compliance with all regulatory standards and audits Identify training and development needs for direct reports and implement appropriate programs that will broaden knowledge base for team members. Monitor new/alternative technological trends and developments and utilizes resources and tools to implement changes that will strengthen the university Strategize with management team to identify organization needs and implements appropriate research and projects. Oversee multiple projects and programs concurrently.
-Demonstrated experience working in and fostering an environment of respect, professionalism and civility with a population of faculty, staff, and students from various backgrounds and experiences, or a commitment to do so as a staff member at VCU
Minimum HiringStandards:
-Bachelor's degree or equivalent applicable combination of training, education and experience. Preferred Master's degree or an equivalent combination of training & experience. Directors are responsible for long-range strategic planning and must possess a comprehensive knowledge of the service or functional area.
-The candidate must have published in peer reviewed journals and/or have patent applications
-10 + years of extensive experience on cell metabolism as it relates to liver health and liver disease
PreferredQualifications:
-PhD degree in Molecular Biology or related field, with postgraduate or postdoctoral training and research experience
-Conceptual thinking skills complemented by a strong quantitative orientation
-Solid people leadership experience with strong judgement, leadership, and integrity
-Ability to build and leverage the capabilities of a high performing team, as well as business partners across the business
-Conceptual thinking skills complemented by a strong quantitative orientation
-Solid people leadership experience with strong judgement, leadership, and integrity
-Ability to build and leverage the capabilities of a high performing team, as well as partners across the university
-Foster innovation, drive critical decisions, hold internal and external partners accountable, and be able to consistently deliver results
-Strategic influencing skills and the ability to drive collaboration through teams
Additional Information:
ORP Eligible: - YES
Hours / weeks - 40 hours weekly
Title Details: Director of Molecular Core
University Title: Director RS 1-3
University Code: (32411Y-32413Y)
University Job Family: Research & Innovation
The position will remain open until a candidate is selected.
Virginia Commonwealth University is an equal opportunity, affirmative action university providing access to education and employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, political affiliation, veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, or disability.
The School of Medicine continuously strives for our workplace and learning environment to reflect the demographic and social milieu of the communities we serve. All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply.
Qualifications
FLSA
University Employee
Job FTE
1.00
Exemption Status
Exempt
Restricted Position
No
E-Class
UF - University Employee FT
Job Category
University Employee
ORP Eligible
Yes
Salary Range
commensurate with experience up to $145,000
Compensation Type
Salaried
Target Hire Date
4/14/2025
Contact Information for Candidates
Demetria Patterson
demetria.patterson1@vcuhealth.org
Documents Needed to Apply
CV/Resume