BACKGROUND

The Virginia Bioinformatics Institute (VBI) invites applications for an AIDS Therapy Modeler Postdoctoral Associate to work in the research group of Dr. David C. Samuels on a project funded by NIH to study the mitochondrial toxicity of AZT (zidovudine or Retrovir) and other nucleoside analog drugs used in the treatment of HIV/AIDS.

RESPONSIBILITIES

The candidate will be involved in computational modeling of the toxicity mechanisms of these drugs, within a biomedical modeling research group and in collaboration with a laboratory group that is carrying out experiments on these drugs. This position will involve further development of the existing simulation, interaction with the lab-based collaborators and supervision of one graduate student. For an example of the simulation, see our recent paper in Am. J Physiol. Cell Physiol., vol 288, pp 989-1002, 2005.

REQUIREMENTS

The successful candidate must have a PhD in a biological, mathematical or computational field; experience in biochemical or cell biology modeling; demonstrated creativity, independence, high motivation, and good communication skills, demonstrated experience in developing publications in peer reviewed high impact scientific journals based on individual research; and possess strong work habits and the ability to work independently as well as with research group.

PREFERENCES

Preferences will be given to candidates having knowledge or experience with Mathematica, Systems Biology Markup Language (SBML), or an equivalent modeling or simulation system; or knowledge of mitochondrial biology or of antiviral therapy.

TERMS

Duration of the appointment may be up to two years renewable annually dependent on satisfactory performance and continuation of funding. This position will hold the special research faculty rank of Postdoctoral Associate. For more information on the university ranks for special research faculty, please review the Special Research Faculty Handbook located at http://www.provost.vt.edu/web_pages/faculty_handbooks.html.

LOCALE

The Virginia Bioinformatics Institute (VBI) at Virginia Tech has built an internationally recognized scientific program with significant extramural funding. Areas of strength among the 16 research groups at VBI include infectious diseases, ranging from the molecular to the population scale, systems biology approaches to study stress response in several organisms, modeling and simulation of biological networks, functional genomics, metabolomics, proteomics and bioinformatics/computational biology. For a closer look, visit us at http://www.vbi.vt.edu.

COMPENSATION

Compensation is commensurate with experience.

HOW TO APPLY

Interested candidates should submit a letter of interest and CV upon applying through http://www.jobs.vt.edu searching by posting number 042829. Successful candidates invited for interviews will be required to have three letters of recommendation sent by the author directly to the department as part of the application process.

DEADLINE

Review of applications will begin for this position on December 19, 2005.