About the role
Job Description
The Pickrell lab at Virginia Tech is recruiting a highly motivated, talented Postdoctoral Fellow to studymechanisms of mitochondrial dysfunction in primary mitochondrial disorders. The successful candidatewill work on project focused on understanding the mechanistic underpinnings OXPHOS dysfunction inpostnatal neurodevelopment with a focus on neurogenesis and gliogenesis. The project will entail astrong background in cell and molecular biology, single cell sequencing, and neuroscience.
The candidate will be expected to attend lab meetings, assist in training undergraduate and graduatestudents, maintain laboratory spaces in a clean and good working order and maintain a high level oforganization in data collection and storage.
The position is available immediately with subsequent years supported and renewable uponperformance. This opportunity provides full benefits and competitive salary equitable to NIH standardsfor career level and experience. The position will remain open until a suitable candidate is hired.
Required Qualifications
- PhD in Neuroscience. PhD must be awarded no more than four years prior to the effective date of appointment with a minimum of one year eligibility remaining.
- Background in understanding the fundamental mechanisms driving OXPHOS dysfunction
- Strong communication (written/oral), interpersonal, organizational and team skills
- Data analysis and manuscript preparation
Preferred Qualifications
Experience in:
- Primary cell and tissue culture experience
- Cell and molecular biology, qPCR, and single cell sequencing
- Confocal and live imaging
- Cloning and CRISPR gene editing
- Mouse handling, genetics, and histology.
Overtime Status
Exempt: Not eligible for overtime
Appointment Type
Restricted
Salary Information
Salary will be determined according to NIH guidelines and experience level.
Hours per week
40 hours - exempt position
Review Date
11/13/2026
Additional Information
Please send inquiries to Alicia Pickrell, PhD: alicia.pickrell@vt.edu.
Submissions should include:
- Cover letter with career goals/aspirations
- CV
- Contact information for three professional references
The successful candidate will be required to have a criminal conviction check.
About Virginia Tech
Dedicated to its motto, Ut Prosim (That I May Serve), Virginia Tech pushes the boundaries of knowledge by taking a hands-on, transdisciplinary approach to preparing scholars to be leaders and problem-solvers. A comprehensive land-grant institution that enhances the quality of life in Virginia and throughout the world, Virginia Tech is an inclusive community dedicated to knowledge, discovery, and creativity. The university offers more than 280 majors to a diverse enrollment of more than 36,000 undergraduate, graduate, and professional students in eight undergraduate colleges, a school of medicine, a veterinary medicine college, Graduate School, and Honors College. The university has a significant presence across Virginia, including Blacksburg, the greater Washington, D.C. area, the Health Sciences and Technology Campus in Roanoke, sites in Newport News and Richmond, and numerous Extension offices and research institutes. A leading global research institution, Virginia Tech conducts more than $650 million in research annually.
Virginia Tech endorses and encourages participation in professional development opportunities and university shared governance. These valuable contributions to university shared governance provide important representation and perspective, along with opportunities for unique and impactful professional development.
Virginia Tech does not discriminate against employees, students, or applicants on the basis of age, color, disability, sex (including pregnancy), gender, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, ethnicity or national origin, political affiliation, race, religion, sexual orientation, or military status, or otherwise discriminate against employees or applicants who inquire about, discuss, or disclose their compensation or the compensation of other employees or applicants, or on any other basis protected by law.
If you are an individual with a disability and desire an accommodation, please contact Natalie Langowsky at nlangowsky@vt.edu during regular business hours at least 10 business days prior to the event.