EMPLOYMENT AND POSITIONS

Employment and Positions:

1. Opening for Postdoctoral Fellow in The Luftig Lab at Duke University

The Luftig laboratory at Duke University School of Medicine seeks a highly motivated postdoctoral researcher with a strong background in virology, molecular cell biology, and/or biochemistry to join our research group studying oncogenic viruses. https://sites.duke.edu/luftiglab/
Our lab focuses on how the human herpesvirus, EBV, co-opts cellular signaling pathways and transcriptional networks to drive activation and uncontrolled proliferation of human B cells. Our work models the earliest steps in viral oncogenesis and aims to understand how the establishment of EBV latency mimics normal B-cell activation and maturation. New projects in the lab also include studies of epithelial carcinogenesis and single cell studies of B-cell infection.
We use many different complementary approaches to study the interaction between EBV and the host. We are open to new ideas and creative approaches to tackle the most challenging problems in the field. We have superb shared resources at Duke, including collaborators, that elevate our work by providing technical advice and unique perspectives to approaching biological problems. Our recent accomplishments include:
– Defining the innate tumor suppressor barriers to EBV-mediated B-cell transformation including the DNA damage response (DDR), activated as a consequence of metabolic stress and limiting deoxynucleotide pools (Hafez, Oncogenesis 2017; McFadden, PNAS 2016; Luftig, Ann Rev Virol 2014; Nikitin, Cell Host and Microbe, 2010)
– Discovery of a new temporal model for EBV transformation – defining regulation of survival and transcriptional control from initial infection through latency establishment in primary human B cells (Price, eLife 2017; Price PLoS Path 2015, Price, J Virol 2012)The laboratory provides a robust training environment for postdocs and other trainees. It is of the utmost importance that rigorous scientific inquiry be supported with equally rigorous mentoring. This includes opportunities to present your work both internally and at regional, national, and international meetings; an expectation of training junior lab members as techniques and concepts are mastered; and a strategic plan for career development whether in academia or beyond.To be considered for the position applicants must submit their curriculum vitae, summary of past work, and contact information for three references to Dr. Micah Luftig via the posting on Academic Jobs Online, https://academicjobsonline.org/ajo/jobs/9313.

Duke University is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer committed to providing employment opportunity without regard to an individual’s age, color, disability, genetic information, gender, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, race, religion, sexual orientation, or veteran status.

2. Postdoctoral Position Working on Viral Epitranscriptomics: While it has been known for some time that both cellular and viral mRNAs are subject to post-transcriptional modifications that do not change their inherent coding capacity, the importance of these “epitranscriptomic” changes as regulators of gene expression has only recently come into focus. The most prevalent epitranscriptomic mark is addition of a methyl group to the N6 position of adenosine (m6A) and this modification is not only essential for embryonic viability and development in both plants and animals but also greatly influences viral replication, as documented, for example, in a recent publication from this laboratory (1) and discussed in more detail in a recent review from my group (2). The field of viral epitranscriptomics, while clearly important for understanding viral gene regulation, is nevertheless currently at a very early stage of development. As a result, this area of research offers a tremendous opportunity for a postdoc to contribute to an emerging but clearly important area of research that they eventually will be able to take with them when they start their own research group.

Candidates should be less than two years out from their Ph.D and should have documented expertise in the fields of virology and/or molecular biology.

1. Kennedy EM, Bogerd HP, Kornepati AV, Kang D, Ghoshal D, Marshall JB, Poling BC, Tsai K, Gokhale NS, Horner SM, Cullen BR. (2016) Posttranscriptional m(6)A editing of HIV-1 mRNAs enhances viral gene expression. Cell Host Microbe; 19: 675-685. PMCID: PMC4867121.

2. Kennedy EM, Courtney DG, Tsai K & Cullen BR. (2017) Viral Epitranscriptomics. J Virol; 91. PMCID: PMC5391447.

Application Materials Required:

Submit the following items online at this website:

Cover Letter
Curriculum Vitae
Research Statement
Publication List
Contact information for 3 references
Three Reference Letters (to be submitted by the reference writers at this site)

And anything else requested in the position description.

Further Info:

https://sites.duke.edu/cullenlaboratory/

Bryan R. Cullen, PhD., D.Sc.
James B. Duke Professor
Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology
Director, Duke University Center for Virology
Duke University Medical Center, Box 3025
213 Research Dr., Room 0036 CARL Building
Durham, NC 27710919-684-3369

https://academicjobsonline.org/ajo/jobs/9360

Please visit Duke’s Human Resources website often for future openings or contact jason.howard@duke.edu for additional information.

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Duke University prohibits discrimination and harassment, and provides equal employment opportunity without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, sex, age, or genetic information. Duke is committed to recruiting, hiring, and promoting qualified minorities, women, individuals with disabilities, and veterans.