Postdoctoral Fellow: Vaccine Vector Design

As an organization whose mission is to translate science into global public health impact , working on vaccines and therapeutics, IAVI has a vaccine policy which states that subject to applicable law, we require all U.S. and Puerto Rico based employees to be vaccinated for COVID-19, unless they have an approved medical or religious exemption or accommodation. We are committed to supporting our employees during this process as we work to ensure a safe and healthy work environment.

Position Description

Job Title     Postdoctoral Fellow: Vaccine Vector Design 
Location:    Vaccine Design and Development Lab (DDL), Brooklyn, NY

Position Summary:

IAVI’s Design and Development Lab (DDL) is seeking a highly motivated and innovative Postdoctoral Fellow with virology and/or immunology experience to undertake research in viral vaccine vector design and evaluation. This position will play a key role in supporting IAVI’s rapidly growing Emerging Infectious Diseases portfolio that currently encompasses the end-to-end development of prophylactic vaccines against HIV-1, Lassa virus, Marburg virus and SARS-COV2. This is an excellent opportunity to directly participate in early phase vaccine development and through teamwork gain exposure to cGMP manufacturing and nonclinical safety and pharmacological testing required to move products into clinical trials.

The incumbent should have the ability to work both independently and in team settings to conduct research needed for design, optimization, and characterization of viral vector-based vaccines.  This position will require an in-depth knowledge of molecular biology, virology, and/or immunology; will involve organizing and implementing complex research plans, developing methods of testing, data collection and analysis; and will involve writing reports containing descriptive, analytical, and evaluative content. The duties will also require the exercise of independent discretion and judgment in carrying out research activities within the predetermined research scope.  

Key Responsibilities:

• Conduct independent and team based research needed for design, optimization, and characterization of replicating viral vector-based vaccines.
• Develop novel research methods and assays that contribute to DDL’s research goals. 
• Collect, analyze, and evaluate data; Interpret data, make decisions, and conduct trouble shooting on related technical issues.
• Assist in the design of selected immunogenicity and efficacy studies.
• Participate in the preparation scientific reports, grant proposals, and manuscripts.
• Mentor junior staff
• Perform other duties as assigned by the Manager.

Education and Work Experience:

Qualification and Skills:

• Working in a fast-paced collaborative, interdisciplinary team environment and capable of adhering to timelines and important milestones is required.
• Excellent verbal, written, and presentation skills is required.
• Knowledge of in-depth viral characterization, rodent and non-human primate animal models, and/or vaccine design is preferred.
• Excellent attention to detail is required.
• Ability to complete tasks on time and with high quality is required.
• Critical thinking skills, with the ability to identify problems and possible solutions, and assess impact on timelines is required.   
• Excellent interpersonal skills with cultural sensitivity and respect for diverse colleagues is required.

Organizational Overview:

IAVI is a nonprofit scientific research organization dedicated to addressing urgent, unmet global health challenges including HIV and tuberculosis. Our mission is to translate scientific discoveries into affordable, globally accessible public health solutions. Through scientific and clinical research in Africa, India, Europe, and the U.S., IAVI is pioneering the development of biomedical innovations designed for broad global access. We develop vaccines and antibodies in and for the developing world and seek to accelerate their introduction in low-income countries. IAVI programs and partnerships are grounded in the regions of the world where the disease burden is the greatest, and our approach emphasizes sustainability. Our network of clinical research center partners in Africa and India helps strengthen in-country research capacity and supports the training and education of the next generation of scientists. The global impact of our science includes fundamental contributions to understanding the biology of HIV infection, which IAVI and others are applying toward advancing vaccine science and immunology. IAVI accelerates scientific discovery and development by fostering unique collaborations among academia, industry, local communities, governments, and funders to explore new and better ways to address public health threats that disproportionately affect people living in poverty. Our global reach, including a clinical research network in five countries in sub-Saharan Africa and in India, has allowed us to make fundamental contributions to understanding the epidemiology, transmission, virology, and immunology of HIV. This work played a key role in facilitating the design of promising HIV vaccine candidates, as well as the discovery of broadly neutralizing antibodies that are now being advanced as promising approaches for HIV prevention. Our integrated capabilities in vaccine and antibody discovery, development, and clinical research take advantage of bio-pharmaceutical industry expertise to accelerate the development and testing of prevention methods for HIV and other diseases. Through the Product Development Center, we support external researchers with technical and scientific expertise to accelerate the development of their own products.

IAVI CORE VALUES:

• Dedication to the Mission: We are committed to the translation of scientific discoveries into affordable, globally accessible public health solutions. 
• Innovative Evolution: We are committed to solving complex problems in creative and innovative ways, learning from our mistakes and successes and never giving up 
• Integrity: We are committed to meeting the highest ethical and professional standards in everything we do and to taking responsibility for our actions to earn respect 
• Collaboration: We are committed to embracing diversity, the power of global teamwork and the belief that by working as one we can make a difference
  Disclaimer: Nothing in this job description restricts management's right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time. The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by individuals assigned to this position. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities and skills required of personnel so classified. This document does not create an employment contract, implied or otherwise, other than an “at-will” relationship. IAVI is an equal opportunity employer and applicants will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran or disability status. 

IAVI IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER actively committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive global organization. IAVI believes that diversity and inclusion among our teammates is critical, and we seek to recruit, develop and retain the most talented people from a representative candidate pool. At IAVI, we celebrate the spectrum of colleagues’ experiences and believe that dedication to our mission above all is essential to our success as a scientific global non-profit. IAVI upholds these principles through IAVI’s Global Diversity and Inclusion Committee.  

IAVI has zero tolerance for discrimination or harassment on the basis of race, color, ethnicity, caste, national origin, home language, ancestry, religion, marital or civil partnership status, age, physical or mental disability, HIV status and any other medical condition, genetic information, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, and veteran status, in addition to any other status protected under the law in any of our locations worldwide.