Job Details

Institution: Virginia Tech – Fralin Biomedical Research Institute (FBRI)
Location: Roanoke, Virginia
Type: Full-Time | Restricted Appointment
Category: Biology; Military
Posted: November 6, 2025
Review Date: November 21, 2025
Salary: Commensurate with experience
Hours per Week: 40+
Overtime Status: Exempt (Not eligible for overtime)

Position Summary

The Lessard Laboratory at the Center for Exercise Medicine Research (CEMR) within the Fralin Biomedical Research Institute (FBRI) is seeking a motivated and detail-oriented Research Associate to contribute to ongoing laboratory studies in exercise physiology, metabolism, nutrition, and diabetes.

The successful candidate will support NIH-funded projects exploring how exercise training, diet, and pharmacological interventions influence health and metabolic processes. More information about the lab’s research focus is available at https://fbri.vtc.vt.edu/research/labs/lessard.html.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage and oversee experimental protocols, including tissue culture systems, mouse husbandry, and molecular biology assays.

• Conduct research activities related to exercise physiology, metabolism, and diabetes.

• Perform data management, analysis, and interpretation.

• Maintain laboratory organization, ensuring safety and regulatory compliance.

• Train and supervise new research staff, graduate students, and undergraduate interns.

• Participate in scientific publications and collaborative research discussions.

This position offers excellent opportunities for career development, authorship, and gaining advanced research and lab management experience in a collaborative and stimulating environment.

Required Qualifications

• Graduate degree (Master’s or Ph.D.) in Biology, Health Sciences, Biochemistry, Exercise Physiology, or a related field.

• Proven research and laboratory management experience.

• Demonstrated organizational and communication skills.

• Experience with aseptic techniques and tissue culture systems.

• Working knowledge of biochemistry and molecular biology methods.

• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced research environment with multiple ongoing projects.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience supervising undergraduate or graduate research students.

• Proficiency in molecular biology techniques such as Western blotting, PCR, and immunofluorescence.

• Experience with live mouse handling and metabolic testing (e.g., glucose tolerance tests, indirect calorimetry, body composition measurement, and exercise testing).

• Familiarity with exercise physiology, metabolic, or diabetes research.

Additional Information

• Employment is contingent upon a successful criminal conviction check.

• Contact Brittany Shelton (sheltb@vtc.vt.edu) for disability accommodation requests at least 10 business days before the review date.

About Virginia Tech

Founded on its motto Ut Prosim (“That I May Serve”), Virginia Tech is a globally recognized land-grant research university that fosters discovery, creativity, and innovation. With over 36,000 students across multiple campuses, Virginia Tech offers more than 280 academic programs and conducts over $650 million in research annually.

The university is committed to diversity, inclusion, and professional growth, welcoming applications from women, minorities, veterans, and individuals with disabilities.

Website: www.vt.edu