Postdoctoral Associate
Confirmed on the employer's own hiring board on Oct 25, 2026. First seen by Alion on Oct 13, 2026. Virginia Tech scores B on the Alion truth index.
Job Description
The Department of Biological Systems Engineering at Virginia Tech is seeking a Postdoctoral Associate. The project will focus on “engineering non-viral gene delivery systems”. Nanoformulations or devices will be engineered for enhancing the efficacy and safety of biologically active drugs and gene therapies. The selected individual will work with Dr. Wujin Sun and a team of researchers at Virginia Tech. The selected individual will lead nanocarrier formulation, nucleic acid construct preparation, and delivery efficiency optimization.
Required Qualifications
- PhD must be awarded no more than four years prior to the effective date of the appointment with a minimum of one year eligibility remaining in pharmaceutical engineering, biochemistry, molecular biology, chemical biology, bioengineering, chemical engineering, biological systems engineering, chemistry, or related scientific or engineering field
- Self-motivated individual who shows initiative and creativity
- Effective communication skills
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience with nanoparticle or lipid nanoparticle formulation
- Experience with genetic engineering, such as CRISPR, transposon systems, and gene delivery vectors
- Experience with plasmid DNA and mRNA preparation
- Experience with cell transfection and transgene expression analysis
- Experience with drug delivery
Overtime Status
Exempt: Not eligible for overtime
Appointment Type
Restricted
Salary Information
$53,550-$65,029; commensurate with experience
Hours per week
40
Review Date
11/03/2026
Additional Information
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 Dr. Wujin Sun at [email protected] during regular business hours at least 10 business days prior to the event.