Job Description
The Ghosh Lab is seeking a highly motivated Research Associate to work on a research project investigating immune priming and disease dynamics in bumble bees. The successful candidate will conduct research at the interface of insect immunology, pollinator biology, and conservation. The work will involve laboratory experiments, individual and colony-level assays, and ecological approaches to investigate how immune priming influences pathogen resistance, immune function, and colony performance in bumble bees.
Required Qualifications
Master's in Entomology, Ecology, Evolutionary Biology, Immunology, or a closely related discipline. An exception may be granted for individuals with bachelor's degrees and significant relevant experience.
Experience in one or more of the following areas:
• Insect ecology
• Insect immunology
• Pollinator biology
Strong quantitative and scientific writing skills are required.
Preferred Qualifications
Experience with pollinator systems such as bumble bees or other social insects.
Experience with insect immune assays, pathogen exposure experiments, or molecular techniques related to host-pathogen interactions.
Overtime Status
Exempt: Not eligible for overtime
Appointment Type
Restricted
Salary Information
57,783 - 65,000
Hours per week
40; M-F 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Review Date
07/19/2026
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 Enakshi Ghosh at [email protected] during regular business hours at least 10 business days prior to the event.