Postdoctoral positions are available in Dr. Jiang Zhu’s laboratory for highly motivated candidates who are interested in vaccine development for viral pathogens such as HIV-1, HCV, Flu, SARS-CoV-1/2, MERS-CoV, Ebola/Marburg, RSV/hMPV, and ZIKV. Dr. Zhu holds a joint appointment in the Department of Integrative Structural and Computational Biology (ISCB) and the Department of Immunology and Microbiology at Scripps Research in La Jolla, CA (https://www.scripps.edu). Dr. Zhu’s laboratory combines structure-based antigen design, protein nanoparticle engineering, animal immunization, single-cell technologies, and immunological assays to develop and evaluate next-generation vaccines. Multiple vaccine candidates are currently under clinical development with ongoing and planned phase-I human trials.
Details of Dr. Zhu’s laboratory, on-going research projects, and recent publications can be found at www.jzhulab.org. Dr. Zhu is also the co-founder of Uvax Bio LLC (www.uvaxbio.com), a vaccine biotechnology company that aims to address global health challenges with innovative vaccine solutions. An HIV-1 nanoparticle vaccine candidate developed by the Zhu lab is currently in the Phase 1 clinical trial in Australia (ANZCTR registration #: ACTRN12624000064505), which is sponsored by Uvax Bio. An NIH-sponsored Phase 1 clinical trial is under preparation and is expected to take place in early 2025.
Research projects may involve but are not limited to (1) virology: infections and diseases caused by viral pathogens such as HIV-1, Flu, RSV/hMPV, and HCV, among others; (2) immunology: study of vaccine-induced adaptive immunity by single-cell analysis, single-cell immune profiling, and next-generation sequencing (NGS); and (3) structural biology: crystallographic and electron microscopic (EM) analyses of antibody/antigen complexes.
Postdoctoral Associates are appointed positions for the purpose of developing scholarly competence, working under the supervision of a Scripps Research Faculty member. These appointments are normally not renewed beyond a total of five years. Postdoctoral Associates cannot apply for external funding either as a Principal Investigator or Co-Principal Investigator without prior approval from a Departmental Chair. Postdoctoral Associates do not have consulting privileges.
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REQUIREMENTS:
Successful candidates will have a recent Ph.D. in virology, immunology, biophysics, structural biology, or other related fields. Candidates with prior experience in molecular virology and B cell immunology are especially encouraged to apply.
Interested applicants should apply to this job post and also send the following materials, preferably as a single PDF file, by email to Dr. Jiang Zhu (jiang@scripps.edu):
1) Cover letter indicating current and future research interests
2) Expected starting date
3) Curriculum vitae
4) Brief summary of previous research experience (2-3 pages)
5) Names and contact information for 3 references.
COMPENSATION: Postdoctoral Associates will be hired following the National Institute of Health and California’s exempt salary guidelines, which provide for a starting range of $68,000- $75,000. Consideration will be given to experience that exceeds the listed requirements.
COMPREHENSIVE BENEFITS INCLUDE:
- Eligibility for retirement plans with employer contribution.
- Full suite of Health and Welfare plans including three medical plan options (including an HSA available option), dental, vision, life insurance, disability, EAP and more.
- Access to Flexible Spending Accounts (Medical/Dependent Care).
- Remote/Hybrid/Flexible work schedules (Dependent on role).
- Competitive vacation and sick leave policies.
- Free, on-site Counseling Center which provides confidential counseling services to benefits-eligible employees and their family members.
- Free, on-site parking.
