Job Details

Institution: Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) – School of Medicine
Department: Microbiology and Immunology
Location: Richmond, VA
Type: Full-Time, Onsite
Salary: Starting at $62,232 per year
Hours per Week: 40
FLSA Status: Exempt
ORP Eligible: Yes
Posting Date: November 5, 2025

Position Summary

VCU is seeking a highly motivated Postdoctoral Research Fellow to join a multidisciplinary team investigating the gut-liver-brain axis in liver diseases, including MASLD/MASH, alcohol-associated liver disease (ALD), and cholestatic liver disease, and their impact on neurobehavioral function. The role involves contributing to NIH-funded projects to elucidate how gut microbiome-derived metabolites, bile acids, and sphingolipids influence hepatic and neural signaling pathways.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and utilize animal models of liver diseases to study gut-liver-brain interactions.

• Conduct behavioral and cognitive tests (e.g., open field, Y-maze, novel object recognition).

• Perform liver function assays and biochemical profiling (LC-MS/MS).

• Conduct histological and immunohistochemical analyses of liver and brain tissues.

• Apply molecular and cellular assays (qPCR, Western blotting, immunofluorescence).

• Integrate multi-omics data (transcriptomics, metabolomics, lipidomics).

• Collaborate with interdisciplinary teams and present findings in publications and meetings.

• Mentor students and contribute to grant and manuscript preparation.

Minimum Qualifications

• Ph.D. in Neuroscience, Molecular Biology, or a closely related field.

• Expertise in animal models of liver diseases and brain dysfunction.

• Strong background in hepatic primary cell isolation, molecular biology, and biochemical assays.

• Hands-on experience with liver and brain histology, imaging, and quantitative analysis.

• Excellent communication, writing, and interpersonal skills; ability to work collaboratively in multidisciplinary environments.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in biomarker discovery and translational research.

• Familiarity with bioinformatic analysis of RNA-seq, metabolomics, or lipidomic datasets.

• Hands-on experience with analytical platforms (LC-MS, HPLC, or other quantitative assays).

• Knowledge of gut microbiome analysis or neuroinflammation pathways.

Additional Information

• Employment Duration: Restricted position; continued employment depends on project need, funding availability, and performance.

• Flexible Work Arrangement: Fully Onsite

• VCU is committed to hiring veterans and values diversity, equity, and inclusion.

• Benefits: Comprehensive package for eligible employees including medical, dental, retirement, leave programs, and educational benefits.

Contact: SOMHR@vcuhealth.org