Postdoctoral Associate, School of Medicine, Virology, Immunology & Microbiology (VIM) - Boston University

We are looking for a highly motivated and well-trained individual who is interested in performing infectious diseases and immunology research in a highly collaborative and collegial environment using a range of molecular biology, sequencing and immunologic techniques. Some work will occur in high and maximum containment (BSL-3 and BSL-4) laboratory space at the NEIDL. Training to work safely with viruses in this environment will be provided. The candidate will be expected to work with cell/tissue samples obtained from human and animal model sources, design and run experiments independently and collaboratively, maintain and organize data, participate in general laboratory tasks and to maintain a safe laboratory working environment. The candidate will participate in manuscript and grant writing and will be expected to present at laboratory/departmental meetings and will have the opportunity to present their research at external meetings.
Established experience in the following areas is desirable: (1) yeast and mammalian culture, (2) single cell PCR, (3) flow cytometry and cell sorting, (4) advanced techniques in immunology and molecular biology, (5) virus culture/purification and assays and (6) protein purification. Candidates must be able to pass health and security checks to permit work in BSL-3 and BSL-4 laboratories with select agents.

Virology or immunology research. The candidate will be responsible to growing and purifying viruses under BSL-2, BSL-3 and BSL-4 conditions, qualifying the virus stocks and will be performing virus neutralization assays using purified antibody or immune serum. They will be expected to be proficient in the cell culture techniques required for these assays. The candidate will perform immunoassays such as immunoblots, ELISA and surface plasmon resonance binding assays using antibodies and immune serum at all levels of containment. The candidate will perform single cell B cell sequencing using both Sanger and next-generation sequencing technologies. They will be expected to maintain appropriate documentation of this work. Once trained they will be expected to run the experiments independently and report back the data.

Flow cytometry and sorting. The candidate will use multi-color flow cytometric analysis to characterize immune cells and yeast based on their phenotypes and antigen binding properties. In some cases, the candidate may use flow cytometry-based sorting (i.e., FACS) of immune cells and yeast based upon their properties. They will be expected to maintain appropriate documentation of this work. Once trained they will be expected to run the experiments independently and report back the data.

Yeast culture and methodologies. The candidate will generate yeast libraries via cloning of of antibodies obtained from humans, animals or synthesized from computational design. The candidate will clone the libraries into yeast using molecular biology techniques and then be responsible for growing and maintaining the yeast in culture. The candidate will create next-generation sequencing libraries of selected yeast populations and will need to perform quality control experiments prior to submission of the samples for sequencing.

Protein and antibody production. The candidate will use bacterial, insect and mammalian cell approaches to produce, purify and quality control antibodies, proteins and enzymes for their specific experiments and for others to use within the lab. The candidate will maintain an inventory of their materials and provide them upon request to members of the lab.

Writing and presentation. The candidate will be expected to work with the principal investigator to write first drafts, rewrites, proofing, generating figures/tables, generate budgets, meet with collaborators and any other work required for writing and submitting grants and budgets for government, foundation and industry related research proposals. The candidate will perform similar work relating to writing manuscripts for publication and for presentations.

PhD required.

Please send application materials, including curriculum vitae and the names of three references to: John Misasi (jmisasi@bu.edu

We are an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, natural or protective hairstyle, religion, sex, age, national origin, physical or mental disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, military service, pregnancy or pregnancy-related condition, or because of marital, parental, or veteran status. We are a VEVRAA Federal Contractor.

#LI-DNP