Department of Health and Human Services
National Institutes of Health
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases
With nationwide responsibility for improving health and well-being, the Department of Health and Human Services oversees the biomedical research programs of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and those of NIH’s research Institutes. The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), a major research component of NIH and the Department of Health and Human Services, is recruiting for the following position:
Postdoctoral IRTA position is available in the Virus Ecology Unit within the Laboratory of Virology at the RML campus of NIAID in Hamilton, MT. The laboratory studies the ecology of high- or maximum-containment RNA viruses, including coronaviruses, filoviruses, henipaviruses, and orthomyxoviruses.
The Virus Ecology Unit is interested in the identification and understanding of the biological drivers of zoonotic transmission for emerging viruses. Our laboratory utilizes a combined field ecological and an experimental laboratory approach to understand the emergence of novel viruses.
Field ecological research includes long-term study sites in the Republic of Congo under the NIH International Centers of Excellence in Research (ICER) program, in close collaboration with the National Public Health laboratory in Brazzaville and the Wildlife Conservation Society. Fundamental experimental approaches of the laboratory include molecular-, cellular-, and immunological-based techniques and animal models of pathogenesis and transmission. Studies are carried out in biosafety level (BSL)-2, BSL-3, and BSL-4 laboratories. The successful applicant is expected to combine field and experimental research to study the underlying biotic or abiotic changes in virus-host ecology involved in virus emergence.
RML is located in the scenic Bitterroot Valley of western Montana with easy access to some of the best hiking, skiing, kayaking, mountain biking, and trout fishing in North America. The Laboratory of Virology is located in the new Integrated Research Facility (IRF) on the RML campus. The IRF offers state-of-the-art BSL-2, BSL-3, and BSL-4 laboratories, as well as BSL-4 animal space. Additional BSL-2 and BSL-3 animal space and state-of-the-art genomics, flow cytometry, and microscopy facilities are available to researchers on the RML campus.
Find out more about the lab:
Virus Ecology Unit: www.niaid.nih.gov/labs/aboutlabs/lv/virusecology
Laboratory of Virology: www.niaid.nih.gov/labs/aboutlabs/lv
Requirements
Highly motivated candidates with a strong background in molecular biology, disease ecology, epidemiological modeling, and infectious disease animal modeling are encouraged to apply. Experience working in high biological containment laboratories (BSL-3 or BSL-4) and experience with infectious disease field research would be an advantage.
Well-developed oral and written communication skills are essential. Candidates must hold a Ph.D., D.V.M., or M.D. in virology, molecular biology, or other appropriate discipline and have less than three years of postdoctoral experience. Applicants may be U.S. citizens, permanent residents, or international citizens; for an IRTA, visa requirements apply. Trainee will receive a stipend (commensurate with his or her experience) and health insurance.
Send curriculum vitae, a letter expressing career goals and interests, list of publications, and three letters of reference with contact information no later than August 4, 2014, to Kay Menk, Laboratory Operations Specialist, Laboratory of Virology, Rocky Mountain Laboratories, NIAID, NIH, 903 S 4th Street, Hamilton, MT 59840, 406-375-9624 (phone), 406-375-9620 (fax), or email menkk@niaid.nih.gov.
For more information about NIAID career and training opportunities, visit Careers at NIAID: http://go.usa.gov/9aYW.
HHS, NIH, and NIAID are proud to be equal opportunity employers.
