Associate Scientist/ Scientist: Kosinski's Lab

This individual will serve as the scientific and operational leader of the laboratory's wet-lab program and play a key role in launching and building the research operation from the ground up. The successful candidate will help establish laboratory infrastructure, oversee critical virology and cell culture operations, mentor trainees, and develop an independent research program focused on influenza biology and advanced cellular model systems.

Key Responsibilities

Scientific Research

• Lead and oversee the laboratory's cell culture and influenza virology operations.
• Maintain mammalian cell lines and primary cell cultures.
• Produce, titrate, validate, and maintain influenza virus stocks.
• Generate recombinant and tagged influenza viruses using reverse genetics approaches.
• Develop stable and CRISPR-engineered cell lines to support research programs.
• Perform molecular biology and biochemical techniques including cloning, transfections, immunoprecipitations, and western blotting.
• Conduct fluorescence and confocal microscopy experiments.
• Analyze experimental data and maintain high-quality research documentation.
• Contribute to manuscripts, presentations, grant applications, and scientific publications.
• Present findings within the laboratory, at institutional seminars, and at scientific conferences.

Laboratory Operations & Management

• Lead the setup of the new laboratory, including equipment procurement, installation, and commissioning.
• Manage inventories, consumables, reagent stocks, and laboratory resources.
• Oversee service contracts and equipment maintenance activities.
• Ensure compliance with BSL-2 laboratory operations and institutional safety requirements.
• Manage SOP development, biosafety documentation, EH&S compliance, and training records.
• Maintain laboratory electronic notebooks, protocol repositories, and data management systems.
• Train, onboard, and mentor laboratory personnel in experimental procedures and best practices.
• Provide supervision and scientific guidance to junior staff and trainees as the laboratory grows.

Preferred Qualifications

Successful candidates will demonstrate expertise in many of the following areas:

Core Scientific Expertise

• Mammalian cell culture, including primary cell culture systems
• Influenza virology, including virus propagation, viral infections, plaque assays, TCID50 assays, and viral stock quality control
• BSL-2 laboratory operations and biosafety practices
• Molecular biology techniques, including cloning, transfection, CRISPR-based genome engineering, and stable cell line generation
• Protein biochemistry methods, including immunoprecipitation and western blotting
• Fluorescence microscopy and confocal imaging
• Laboratory documentation, inventory management, and regulatory compliance

Additional Desired Experience

• Influenza reverse genetics and recombinant virus generation
• Organoid, air-liquid interface, or other tissue-derived model systems
• Experience establishing or expanding laboratory operations
• Electronic laboratory notebook (ELN) administration or laboratory information management systems (LIMS)
• Sample preparation for electron microscopy or mass spectrometry
• Proteomics workflows and crosslinking mass spectrometry
• Training, mentorship, and supervision of scientific staff and students
• Tissue handling associated with animal-based studies

Ideal Candidate Profile

The ideal candidate combines strong scientific expertise with a proactive, entrepreneurial mindset. This individual should be comfortable operating independently, establishing new processes, identifying solutions, and helping shape the culture and scientific direction of a growing research program. Key strengths include:

• Scientific leadership and accountability
• Strong project ownership and execution
• Laboratory operations and process development
• Collaboration and mentorship
• Excellent communication and organizational skills
• Ability to balance research excellence with laboratory management responsibilities

Education & Experience Requirements

Minimum Education and/or Training: Bachelor's degree in relevant scientific areas such as cell biology, virology, biochemistry, molecular biology, or a related field is required. PhD, or equivalent doctoral degree strongly preferred.

Scientist Minimum Experience: Eight (8) years of relevant work experience is required; Six (6) years of relevant work experience is required with a Master's degree; Three (3) years of relevant work experience is required with a PhD.

Associate Scientist Minimum Experience: 7+ years of research experience is required; 5+ years of research experience is required with a Master's degree; 2+ years of research experience is required with a PhD.