Research Specialist - Sharma Lab

The mission of the Department of Population Health and Pathobiology is to recruit, train, inspire, and graduate Doctors of Veterinary Medicine of exemplary knowledge, skill, and character. In order to maintain the intellectual and professional climate necessary to accomplish this mission, the department's faculty will advance veterinary medical science through innovative basic and applied research, inspired mentoring of students (undergraduate, professional, residents, and graduate), excellence in clinical and diagnostic services, and innovative extension and engagement activities.

North Carolina State University's College of Veterinary Medicine (CVM) is a dynamic community whose members are dedicated to preparing veterinarians and veterinarian scientists while advancing animal and human health from the cellular level through entire ecosystems. The College has gained international recognition on the strength of its teaching, research, engagement, and patient care efforts and is ranked 3rd among the nation's 28 colleges of veterinary medicine in the current U.S. News & World Report survey.

Located on 180 acres near downtown Raleigh, the College encompasses 20 buildings on the main Centennial Biomedical Campus. Instruction is in three departments-Clinical Sciences, Molecular Biomedical Sciences, and Population Health Pathobiology. In addition to the four-year Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree, there are programs leading to master and doctoral degrees in several areas with numerous opportunities for specialization.

This unit's goal is promote enhanced multidisciplinary digestive disease research.

Essential Job Duties

Research Focus: Infectious Diseases

The Research Specialist will join Dr. Amit Sharma's lab, which focuses on:

• Investigating the host innate immune response as a barrier to cross-species retrovirus transmission in non-human primates.

• Studying neutralization and inhibitors of SARS-CoV-2 entry.

Role Overview

Under the mentorship of the Principal Investigator (PI), the Research Specialist will:

• Characterize viral and host factors that influence the selection, adaptation, and pathogenicity of SHIVs in macaque cells ex vivo.

• Explore the molecular and mechanistic basis of SHIV adaptation to the macaque immune response.

• Conduct virus neutralization assays and develop engineered peptides and peptidomimetic-based compounds targeting SARS-CoV-2, including rationally designed ACE2 inhibitors.

Responsibilities

• 80% Research:

• Participate in experimental research on innate immune responses as barriers to retrovirus transmission in non-human primates.

• Characterize viral and host factors influencing SHIV adaptation in macaque cells.

• Perform virus neutralization assays and evaluate peptide-based compounds for SARS-CoV-2.

• Generate experimental data for publications, ongoing/future grant proposals, and pursue independent funding opportunities.

• 15% Writing:

• Assist in preparing research reports, manuscripts, presentations, and seminars to communicate research progress.

• 5% Lab Management:

• Perform organizational and lab duties as needed.

Other Responsibilities

Qualifications

Minimum Experience/Education

Bachelor's degree in a discipline related to the area of assignment; or an equivalent combination of training and experience.

All degrees must be received from appropriately accredited institutions.

Other Required Qualifications

• Hands on experience with tissue culture of cell lines.

• Routine maintenance of cell lines.

• Emphasis on molecular biology techniques including PCR, RT-qPCR, RNA extraction,

• Protein purification, Primer designing, and DNA sequence analysis.

• Skilled in immunological techniques like Plate Reader-based Enzyme linked

• immunosorbent assay, Western blot, and Flow cytometry.

• Training in BSL2 safety.

• Training in GraphPad Prism and data analyses.

Preferred Qualifications

N/A

Required License or Certification

N/A

Valid NC Driver's License required No Commercial Driver's License Required? No