Advertising Summary:

The Philips Institute for Oral Health Research in the Department of Oral & Craniofacial Molecular Biology at Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) School of Dentistry is seeking a full-time Research Scientist to join the Lab of Oral & Craniofacial Innovation (LOCI) and the Digital Medicine Collaboratory. This position will play a central role in building next-generation spatial multiomics and sequencing pipelines to enable AI-driven discovery in cancer, chronic inflammatory disease, and host–microbiome biology. The successful candidate will lead and contribute to integrated experimental and computational workflows that combine single-cell RNA sequencing, spatial transcriptomics, multiplex spatial proteomics, and advanced imaging approaches to generate large-scale, high-resolution multimodal datasets. A major component of this role is the development of data resources and experimental frameworks that support machine learning and foundation model approaches for virtual tissue reconstruction, multicellular interaction modeling, and therapeutic target discovery. These AI-derived insights will be translated into functional validation using precision-cut tumor and mucosal explant systems and other translational tissue platforms. The Research Scientist will work across interdisciplinary teams spanning molecular biology, computational systems biology, and clinical oncology, helping to establish scalable, reproducible pipelines that position VCU as a leader in AI-enabled precision medicine. This role offers substantial scientific independence and the opportunity to shape large-scale, multimodal, and clinically relevant data generation efforts.

Unit: School of Dentistry

Department: Oral and Craniofacial Molecular Biology

Duties & Responsibilities:

The Research Scientist will lead and execute multidisciplinary projects focused on generating and integrating spatial, single-cell, and sequencing datasets from tumor and inflammatory tissue microenvironments. Responsibilities include designing and implementing workflows across spatial transcriptomics, multiplex proteomics, and next-generation sequencing platforms, with an emphasis on data quality, scalability, and reproducibility. The candidate will integrate multimodal datasets using advanced computational and AI-driven approaches, including machine learning and generative modeling workflows, to construct virtual tissue models, identify multicellular interaction modules, and nominate therapeutic targets. A key component of the role is bridging discovery and validation by designing perturbation experiments and evaluating candidate targets in translational tissue systems, including precision-cut explants and organoid-based platforms. The individual will also contribute to the development of standardized pipelines that support AI model training and cross-study data harmonization. Additional responsibilities include mentoring trainees, contributing to manuscripts and grant applications, coordinating with clinical and computational collaborators, and helping to expand the laboratory’s capabilities in spatial multiomics and AI-enabled tissue modeling.

Qualifications:

Required Qualifications:

• Ph.D. in molecular biology, cell biology, cancer biology, immunology, bioengineering, computational biology, or a related field with a minimum of two (2) years of postdoctoral research experience

• Strong background in molecular and cellular biology with experience in single-cell RNA sequencing and/or spatial multiomics, including experimental design and data interpretation

• Experience analyzing high-dimensional biological datasets (e.g., transcriptomic, proteomic, or multimodal datasets) and familiarity with computational workflows for single-cell or spatial data

• Familiarity with computational analysis workflows relevant to single-cell or spatial data

• Demonstrated ability to independently design experiments, analyze data, and advance research projects to completion

• Willingness to perform animal procedures in compliance with institutional and ethical guidelines

• Ability to work effectively both independently and within interdisciplinary teams; experience mentoring trainees 

• Strong written and verbal communication skills, attention to detail, and a demonstrated record of peer-reviewed publications

• Demonstrated ability to work in and foster an environment of respect, professionalism, and civility with a population of faculty, staff, and students from all backgrounds and experiences, or a commitment to do so as a staff member at VCU

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience in cancer biology, immune-oncology, tumor microenvironment research, or chronic inflammatory disease modeling, including work with translational tissue platforms such as tumor explants, precision-cut tissue slices, or organoids

• Advanced computational expertise in bioinformatics, spatial  and multimodal omics integration, including proficiency in R and/or Python

• Experience applying machine learning, graph-based modeling, or network analysis to high-dimensional datasets

• Demonstrated experience integrating transcriptomic, proteomic, and imaging-based spatial datasets and designing drug perturbation or target validation studies, including exposure to pharmaceutical or drug discovery pipelines

• Experience with syngeneic mouse models, lineage tracing, or genetic manipulation (e.g., CRISPR-based systems) and a demonstrated ability to lead or contribute to grant submissions and collaborative cross-disciplinary research projects

Benefits: All full-time university staff are eligible for VCU’s robust benefits package that includes comprehensive health benefits, paid annual and holiday leave, generous tuition benefits, retirement planning and savings options, tax-deferred annuity and cash match programs, employee discounts, well-being resources, abundant opportunities for career development and advancement, and more.

Salary Range: $80,000 - $100,000

Hours per Week: 40

FLSA Exemption Status: Exempt

Restricted Position: Yes

ORP Eligible: Yes

Flexible Work Arrangement: Fully Onsite

University Job Title: Research Scientist 

Contact Information:
Contact Name: Dr. Kevin Byrd
Contact Email: byrdk6@vcu.edu