Job Summary

Successful candidates will temporarily join the research laboratory of Dr. Peter J. Gaskill in the Department of Pharmacology and Physiology to focus on a project examining the mechanisms by which cocaine influences the development of HIV infection. Dr. Gaskill and this post-doc will work together other lab members to complete several projects evaluating the impact of cocaine in HIV-infected microglial cultures over the next 4 – 6 months. This project will perform HIV infection on iPSC-derived myeloid cell models in the presence of cocaine, dopamine and a number of pharmacological agents stimulating particular receptors associated with these molecules. A successful candidate will be familiar with the differentiation of iPSC to myeloid cells, assays evaluating viral kinetics including p24 AlphaLISA analysis and high content imaging of infection, and be comfortable and knowledgeable regarding work with HIV. This individual will also be expected to expand and develop these areas of interest in the process of further defining this unique research niche, as well as help to disseminate this research through publications and presentations. In addition to this research, the post-doctoral fellow will be expected to help to maintain the lab, to work proactively with other lab members and mentor junior lab members to help them learn new techniques, experimental design, and analysis, and supporting the lab by actively working to maintain a healthy, safe, and productive working environment.

This position is grant-funded; employment is contingent upon the continued availability of those funds.   

Essential Functions

• Research on impact of stimulants on HIV infection dynamics
• Writing fellowships, papers to disseminate Gaskill lab research 
• Mentoring other scientists in the lab
• Lab maintenance 

Required Qualifications

• Minimum of a PhD or Doctorate in Biology, Immunopharmacology, Virology
• Minimum of 5 + (including PhD work)
• Proactive attitude, strong interpersonal skills, able to respond well to constructive criticism
• Strong interest in neuroimmunology, familiarity with molecular and cell biology techniques.
• Experience working primary human blood and HIV, culture and differentiation of myeloid lineage inducible pluripotent stem cells.
• Experience in high content microscopy and image analysis programs.
• Familiarity preparing material for single-cell sequencing, comfort working with large data sets.
• Working knowledge of statistics, proficiency with Word, Excel, PowerPoint, GraphPad Prism.
• Experience mentoring junior scientists

Physical Demands

• Typically sitting at a desk/table
• Typically standing, walking

Location

• Center City - Philadelphia, PA

Additional Information

This is a Full-Time temporary position classified as Non-Exempt. The offered pay is based on the successful candidate’s qualifications and experience, department budget, and an internal equity review.

For information about benefits, please review Drexel’s Per Diem/Casual/Temporary Benefit Fact Sheet.

Special Instructions to the Applicant
Please make sure you upload your CV/resume and cover letter when submitting your application.

A review of applicants will begin once a suitable candidate pool is identified.