美国国家健康研究所2022年招聘博士后职位

美国国家健康研究所2022年招聘博士后职位

National Institutes of Health (NIH)

Postdoctoral Fellowship at NIH with Host-Pathogen Interactions and Structural Vaccinology Section

Postdoctoral Fellowship at NIH with Host-Pathogen Interactions and Structural Vaccinology Section

The Host-Pathogen Interactions and Structural Vaccinology Section (HPISVS) has openings for postdoctoral fellowships. HPISVS is within the Laboratory of Malaria Vaccinology and Immunology (LMIV), Division of Intramural Research (DIR), National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID). This section has three main areas of research as detailed below. Candidates with expertise in any one area or with overlapping expertise and who are close to graduation or recent graduates are encouraged to apply.

Focus on protein and antigen design: The individual will conduct protein design studies of immunogens with a focus on antigens that are high-priority vaccine candidates and conduct evaluation of the designed immunogens in animal models for malaria. The successful individual will leverage the structural data available for antigens and antigen-antibody complexes to design novel immunogens, employ established computational methods, devise novel immunogen design strategies, and convert designs into viable immunogens. Experience in any aspect of protein design, high-throughput screening, animal models for malaria (including sporozoite dissection), structural biology, biophysics, host-pathogen interactions, molecular parasitology, and/or human immunology is desired.

Focus on host-pathogen interactions: The individual will determine the structure of host- and vector-parasite complexes required for malaria parasite viability. Extensive structural biology resources are available for these projects. It is increasingly clear that malaria parasites use diverse host- and vector-parasite interactions to ensure parasite survival. The structures of these complexes are poorly defined, and the lack of this fundamental information hampers current efforts to design vaccines that will prevent critical interactions. Applicants should have a strong background in structural biology, biophysics, host-pathogen interactions, molecular parasitology and/or human immunology. Previous experience with cryo-electron microscopy, X-ray crystallography, bio-layer interferometry, malaria, parasite culture, and/or parasite manipulation is useful.

Focus on antibody neutralization and immune evasion mechanisms: The individual will isolate and characterize human monoclonal antibodies to key antigens. These efforts will include the isolation of antigen-specific B cells and the structural and biophysical studies of antibody-antigen complexes. Extensive cell sorting and structural biology resources are available for these projects. Additional resources include data and samples from human cohort studies with intensive surveillance of malaria outcomes. The successful candidate will structurally define neutralizing antibody epitopes in key antigens towards understanding the human antibody response to malaria and the immune evasion mechanisms employed by the parasite. Applicants should have a strong background in human immunology, antibody isolation and characterization, structural biology, biophysics, and/or molecular parasitology. Previous experience with single-cell sorting, single-cell sequencing, antibody-antigen complexes, cryo-electron microscopy, X-ray crystallography, small-angle X-ray scattering, bio-layer interferometry, malaria, parasite culture, and/or parasite manipulation is useful.

The incumbent in this position will be part of the team working toward the discovery of new malaria vaccine candidates, protein design studies, structure of host parasite and vector parasite complexes, and antibody neutralization and immune evasion mechanisms. All work will be done in Bethesda, Maryland in the United States.

See more about HPISVS, LMIV, and DIR.

Requirements

Interested candidates must possess a Ph.D. in biology, biochemistry, chemistry, or proteomics

U.S. citizenship is not required

Experience in malaria research is beneficial

This position is subject to a background investigation

To Apply

Qualified candidates should address their application to Dr. Niraj Tolia and submit their CV, bibliography, and a cover letter stating research interest and three letters of reference to Chaketa Ingram at Chaketa.Ingram@nih.gov.

Visit NIAID Careers for more information about working in NIAID’s dynamic atmosphere.

HHS, NIH, and NIAID are equal opportunity employers dedicated to diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility.