Research Scientist II

Position Details

Position Information

Recruitment/Posting Title Research Scientist II Job Category Staff & Executive

• Research Support (Laboratory/Non-Laboratory) Department NJMS-Medicine-Infectious Diseases Overview

New Jersey's academic health center, Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences (RBHS) takes an integrated approach to educating students, providing clinical care, and conducting research, all with the goal of improving human health. Aligned with Rutgers University-New Brunswick and collaborating university wide, RBHS includes eight schools, a behavioral health network, and five centers and institutes that focus on cancer treatment and research, neuroscience, advanced biotechnology and medicine, environmental and occupational health, and health care policy and aging research.

Our faculty are teachers, clinicians, and scientists with unparalleled experience who advance medical innovation and provide patient care informed by the latest research findings. We offer an outstanding education in medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, public health, nursing, biomedical research, and the full spectrum of allied health careers.

Our clinical and academic facilities are located throughout the state-at Rutgers University-New Brunswick, including Piscataway; and at locations in Newark, Scotch Plains, Somerset, Stratford, and other locations. Clinical partners include Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital in New Brunswick, Newark's University Hospital in Newark, and other affiliates.

Through this community of healers, scientists, and scholars, Rutgers is equipped as never before to transform lives.

Posting Summary

Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, is seeking a Research Scientist II for NJMS- Medicine- infectious diseases. Under the direction of the Principal Investigator, the Research Scientist II will be involved in two research programs designed to: i) test the hypothesis that Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) exploits the immunosuppressive indolamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO)-mediated tryptophan catabolic pathway to evade antituberculosis (TB) immunity in order to persist in an infected host; and ii) elucidate how B cells and antibodies (Ab) shape the immune responses to the tubercle bacillus using murine experimental TB models and samples from human cohorts. The IDO study should generate useful information regarding the mechanisms underlying Mtb persistence. The B cell/Ab study will inform about how the B cell and humoral immunity regulate anti-TB responses and may provide targets for optimizing anti-TB activity and augment vaccine immunogenicity. A combination of genetic, biochemical, and immunological approaches, together with various murine experimental tuberculosis models, will be employed for these studies.

Among the key duties of this position are the following:

• Characterizes the mechanisms by which Mtb regulates anti-TB immunity using in vitro and in vivo systems.

• Conducts experiments to elucidate how B cells and Ab modulate the immune response of an Mtbinfected host and influence the infection and disease outcome, using both mouse TB models and human systems.

• Generation of cell- and IDO isoform-specific knockout mouse strains.

• Conducts experiments designed to study interaction of antigen presenting cells with T cells using in vitro model systems.

• Determines the role of IDO in regulating the immune response to anti-Mtb vaccines using mouse immunization-challenge models

Position Status Full Time Hours Per Week Daily Work Shift Work Arrangement FLSA Exempt Grade 30S Position Salary 85,909 Annual Minimum Salary 85909.000 Annual Mid Range Salary 103537.000 Annual Maximum Salary 123261.000 Standard Hours 37.50 Union Description HPAE, Local 5094 Payroll Designation PeopleSoft Benefits

Rutgers offers a comprehensive benefit program to eligible employees. For details, please go to http://uhr.rutgers.edu/benefits/benefits-overview.

Seniority Unit Terms of Appointment Staff

• 12 month Position Pension Eligibility ABP

Qualifications

Minimum Education and Experience

• Doctoral Degree in relevant science plus two (2) years of related research experience required.

Certifications/Licenses Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. This includes conducting experiments in BSL3 practices, and willingness to work with virulent Mtb strains. The requirements listed must be representative of the knowledge, skills, minimum education, training, licensure, experience, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Preferred Qualifications

• Preferred experience includes independent design and conduction of genetic and microbiological studies, and experiments designed to elucidate the events that ensue upon Mtb-host interaction, including the immunological response of the host to the tubercle bacillus, and experience in performing unsupervised work in the BSLIII on Mtb.

Equipment Utilized Physical Demands and Work Environment

PHYSICAL DEMAND

This position involves prolonged standing, walking and sitting, as well as use of laboratory equipment. Must perform complex procedures and demonstrate manual dexterity. Some stooping, reaching, climbing and bending. Hearing and speech capabilities necessary to communicate with other researchers and staff in person, on the telephone and by e-mail. Vision capable of viewing gauges, computer monitors, charts, forms, text and numbers for prolonged periods.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

Laboratory environment. Must be available to work flexible hours including weekends and holidays when necessary to meet deadlines. Must be willing to work with small and large animals.

Special Conditions

Posting Details

Posting Number 24ST1564 Posting Open Date 06/27/2024 Special Instructions to Applicants Regional Campus Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences (RBHS) Home Location Campus Newark (RBHS) City Newark State NJ Location Details

Pre-employment Screenings

All offers of employment are contingent upon successful completion of all pre-employment screenings.

Immunization Requirements

Under Policy 100.3.1 Immunization Policy for Covered Individuals, if employment will commence during Flu Season, Rutgers University may require certain prospective employees to provide proof that they are vaccinated against Seasonal Influenza for the current Flu Season, unless the University has granted the individual a medical or religious exemption. Additional infection control and safety policies may apply. Prospective employees should speak with their hiring manager to determine which policies apply to the role or position for which they are applying. Failure to provide proof of vaccination for any required vaccines or obtain a medical or religious exemption from the University will result in rescission of a candidate's offer of employment or disciplinary action up to and including termination.

Affirmative Action/Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

It is university policy to provide equal employment opportunity to all its employees and applicants for employment regardless of their race, creed, color, national origin, age, ancestry, nationality, marital or domestic partnership or civil union status, sex, pregnancy, gender identity or expression, disability status, liability for military service, protected veteran status, affectional or sexual orientation, atypical cellular or blood trait, genetic information (including the refusal to submit to genetic testing), or any other category protected by law. As an institution, we value diversity of background and opinion, and prohibit discrimination or harassment on the basis of any legally protected class in the areas of hiring, recruitment, promotion, transfer, demotion, training, compensation, pay, fringe benefits, layoff, termination or any other terms and conditions of employment. For additional information please see the Non-Discrimination Statement at the following web address: http://uhr.rutgers.edu/non-discrimination-statement

Supplemental Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

Applicant Documents

Required Documents

• Resume/CV

Optional Documents

• Cover Letter/Letter of Application