Postdoctoral Research Associate, Charlton Lab

About the Role

The University of Virginia’s Department of Pediatrics is seeking a Postdoctoral Research Associate for the Charlton Laboratory. This role supports research focused on kidney development, neonatal kidney disease, and the long-term consequences of early-life kidney injury. Postdoctoral employment is temporary, preparatory for an academic or research career, and requires supervision by a senior scholar.

Key Responsibilities

• Perform animal research procedures, including animal handling, monitoring, breeding, genotyping, tissue collection, and maintenance of accurate study records.
• Conduct histologic studies, including tissue fixation, processing, embedding, sectioning, staining, immunohistochemistry, immunofluorescence, microscopy, and quantitative image analysis.
• Perform molecular and cellular laboratory techniques, including DNA/RNA extraction, PCR and quantitative PCR, protein isolation, Western blotting, ELISA, and preparation of samples for sequencing or other assays.
• Process, catalog, store, and analyze human biospecimens in accordance with approved protocols and institutional safety and regulatory requirements.
• Maintain accurate laboratory notebooks, electronic databases, specimen inventories, and animal records.
• Assist with experimental design, protocol development, troubleshooting, data collection, analysis, and presentation.
• Maintain laboratory equipment, monitor supply inventories, prepare reagents, and coordinate ordering.
• Support compliance with animal care, biosafety, human-subjects research, and other institutional requirements.
• Train and supervise students and other laboratory members in research techniques, laboratory safety, recordkeeping, and responsible conduct of research.
• Work closely with the principal investigator, research staff, students, clinical collaborators, and other laboratories to advance shared research goals.
• Contribute to abstracts, presentations, manuscripts, and grant-related materials.

Role Characteristics

• An enthusiastic and dependable team player who contributes to a respectful, supportive, and collaborative laboratory environment.
• A patient and effective teacher who enjoys working with students at different levels of experience.
• Willing and able to work with both animal models and human biological samples.
• Highly organized, detail-oriented, and committed to scientific rigor and reproducibility.
• Able to manage multiple projects, prioritize responsibilities, and meet deadlines.
• Comfortable working independently while communicating regularly with the research team.
• Willing to learn new techniques, troubleshoot experiments, and adapt to changing project needs.
• Demonstrates professionalism, integrity, reliability, and respect for colleagues and research participants.

Requirements & Tech Stack

• Experience with animal models.
• Experience with histology.
• Experience with molecular biology.
• Willingness to learn or experience working with human biospecimens.
• Excellent organizational and communication skills.
• Careful attention to detail.
• Strong commitment to teamwork and mentoring trainees.

Qualifications

• PhD with a research emphasis is required at time of hire.
• Preferred Qualifications:
• Experience with laboratory animals, including handling mice and basic experimental procedures.
• Strong interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills.
• Ability to work effectively as part of a team.
• Interest in teaching, mentoring, and working with undergraduate students, graduate students, medical trainees, or other learners.

Work Location

• This position is based in Charlottesville, VA, and must be performed fully on-site.

Application Process

• Apply online, search for R0088865.
• Required documents: CV/Resume, Cover Letter.
• Upload all materials into the resume submission field, or merge all documents into one PDF for submission.
• References will be completed via UVA’s standardized process SkillSurvey. A total of five references will be requested via SkillSurvey during the final phase of the interview process. A minimum of three are required.
• For information regarding the position or the application process, please contact Jessica Speth, Academic Recruiter, [email protected].