What are the responsibilities and job description for the Postdoctoral Associate - AMR Antibody Discovery position at International Aids Vaccine?
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
Title: Postdoctoral Associate; AMR Antibody Discovery
Location: Neutralizing Antibody Center (NAC), Scripps Research, La Jolla, CA
Reports to: Scientist I, AMR, Antibody Discovery and Development
Position Summary:
IAVI at Scripps Research and JLABS is seeking a Postdoctoral Associate to contribute to the discovery and characterization of monoclonal antibodies directed against pathogenic bacteria, as part of an ongoing effort to develop therapeutics that will be affordable and accessible in low- and middle-income countries where anti-microbial resistance (AMR) is most prevalent. The individual will be responsible for identifying, characterizing, and optimizing anti-bacterial antibodies by antigen-single cell sorting and memory B cell activation, screening by high-throughput bactericidal and/or binding assays, epitope identification and mapping, and in vitro affinity maturation coupled with structure-based rational design.
An ideal candidate will have a background in antibody discovery, microbiology, immunology, protein design, protein biochemistry, and/or structural biology. They must also have a recent Ph.D. or M.D./Ph.D. in a relevant field, a strong publication record, and experience working in an interdisciplinary team environment.
This will be a 3-year position with the opportunity of extension based on strong performance and availability of funding.
Key Responsibilities:
- Setup and operation of cell sorters for antigen-specific single cell sorting for both yeast and mammalian cells
- Clone and express antibody variable genes
- Characterize monoclonal antibodies, including epitope identification, utilizing whole-cell ELISA, and high-throughput bactericidal assays
- Optimize lead antibodies through yeast display libraries, error-prone PCR and other similar in vitro affinity maturation techniques, and rational structure-based design
- Produce and purify proteins in mammalian systems
- Handle live BSL2 bacteria, specifically Shigella, Salmonella, and Klebsiella
- Data analysis and interpretation, creative thinking, and solution-oriented to address technical hurdles
- Mentor junior staff and collaborate with colleagues
- Collate data and draft manuscripts for publication as well as present findings at major scientific conferences
- Conduct independent research on a research topic with short and long-term objectives
Education and Experience:
- A recent Ph.D. or M.D./Ph.D., in microbiology, immunology, molecular biology or a related discipline is required.
- A strong publication record is highly desirable.
Qualifications and Skills:
- Experience in immunological research and antibody discovery/engineering is highly desirable.
- Experience working with BSL2 bacteria is desirable.
- Knowledge and experience with protein biochemistry and production is desirable.
- Ability to meet deadlines in a fast-paced, quickly changing environment is required.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills is required.
- Ability to prioritize and organize a daily workload is required.
- Ability to work independently as well as collaboratively in an interdisciplinary team is required.
- Strong work ethic and interpersonal skills is required.
- In-depth understanding of entire MS Office suite and Adobe Illustrator is required.
- 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.
About NAC:
IAVI’s Neutralizing Antibody Center (NAC) was established in 2002 at Scripps Research in La Jolla, CA, and today, is a leading source of innovation in the study of broadly neutralizing antibodies (bnAbs) and the design of immunogens to elicit these antibodies through vaccination. The NAC brings together leading investigators — including structural and computational biologists, immunologists, protein chemists, and glycobiologists — from institutions worldwide.
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.
