Jobs at Member Institutions & APLU

Research Associate

Department: 3670080040 Diagnostic Medicne Pathobiolog

Job no: 514681

Employment type: Staff Full Time (Unclassified – Term)

Location: Manhattan, Kansas

Worksite: On-site requirement

Categories: Research / Scientific / Grants, Veterinary Medicine

Pay Grade: 08B

About This Role:

The department of Diagnostic Medicine and Pathobiology within the College of Veterinary Medicine is seeking applicants for a Research Associate. The Research Associate will be involved in conducting ongoing research in identification of protective African Swine Fever Virus (ASFV) antigens, formulation of prototype vaccines, and conducting immunogenicity and efficacy studies in pigs. Additional area of research will involve testing efficacy and cross-protective capabilities of novel Bovine Viral Diarrhea Virus (BVDV) mosaic antigens in cattle and testing prototype Bovine Parainfluenza Virus-vectored SARS-CoV-2 vaccines in rodent models. Some efforts will also be directed at on-going studies focused on identification of Bovine Ultra-Long antibodies against several target antigens of interest for development of peptide-based therapeutic drugs, adjuvant development, and optimization of Lateral Flow diagnostic tools and EliSpot readouts of interest for which there are no commercial products in the market. The on-going research projects on ASFV and BVDV will utilize multiple live vector platforms, and studies will be conducted in commercial swine and cattle at BSL2/3 levels.

Duties/Responsibilities

• Generate recombinant plasmid DNA constructs. Design and conduct experiments, and improve research protocols as assigned. Express and purify recombinant proteins using mammalian cells/insect cells/yeast/E.coli. Generate/manipulate live vectors [human adenovirus; Single-cycle Adenovirus; attenuated Bovine Parainfluenza 3 Virus genotype C] for vaccine development. Scale up and quality control validate recombinant live-vectored and protein-based prototype vaccines. Work with large animals [mainly cows and pigs- inoculation/bleeding/isolation of peripheral blood mononuclear cells, sera preparation, isolation of splenocytes and lung epithelial cells]. Establish and maintain primary fibroblasts from biopsies/tissues samples]. Conduct antibody- and cell-based immune-readouts [including Chromium-based CTL assays, 3H-Thymidine/CFSE-based cell proliferation assays, EliSpot assays, intracellular staining and flow cytometric analyses among others. Process data and prepare results for publication.

• Provide oversight of daily programmatic activities. Provide lab management support (animal/lab inventory/manage lab sample repositories/equipment maintenance), and ensure compliance with university regulations. Supervise/coordinate DVM/undergraduate student workers to bleed/monitor animals. Supervise undergraduate student workers and graduate students to conduct experiments and trouble-shoot.

Why Join Us:

Kansas State University offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes health insurance, life insurance, retirement plans, paid time off – vacation, sick, and holidays. To see what benefits are available, please visit: https://www.k-state.edu/hcs/benefits/overview/

We Support Diversity and Inclusion:

Kansas State University embraces diversity and inclusion. The university actively seeks individuals who foster a collegial environment and cooperative interactions with coworkers, students, and others. The University is dedicated to promoting the https://www.k-state.edu/about/community.html

What You’ll Need to Succeed:

Minimum Qualifications:

• Requires a master’s degree and two years of relevant experience.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master’s degree in the area of Biotechnology; Molecular biology; Cell biology; or Vaccinology.

• 2 yrs. experience in conducting research in the areas of Biotechnology/Molecular biology/Cellular Immunology/Vaccinology.

• >5 yrs. hands-on experience generating live-vectored subunit vaccines, generation and affinity purification of recombinant proteins using eukaryotic/prokaryotic cells or cell-free systems, conducting safety and immunogenicity studies in cattle and pigs, hands-on experience conducting cytotoxic T lymphocyte killing assays using chromium-release assay, conducting EliSpot assays using cattle and pig lymphocytes.

Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States at the time of employment

How to Apply:

Please submit the following documents:

• Resume

• Cover letter

• Contact information for three professional references

Screening of Applications Begins:

Screening begins immediately and continues until the position is filled.

Anticipated Hiring Salary Range:

$50,000 – $55,000

Equal Employment Opportunity:

Kansas State University is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, age, national origin, disability or status as a protected veteran.

Background Screening Statement:

In connection with your application for employment, Kansas State University will procure a Background Screen on you as part of the process of considering your candidacy as an employee.

Advertised: Feb 20, 2023

Application Closes: Open until filled

To apply, visit https://apptrkr.com/3924454

jeid-faee946af1775946a4e20030d15edc92