Post-Doctoral Fellowship – National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) Bethesda, MD, United States

A post-doctoral fellowship position is currently open in the Host-Pathogen Interactions and Structural Vaccinology Section (HPISVS), Laboratory of Malaria Immunology and Vaccinology (LMIV), Division of Intramural Research (DIR), National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID). The goal of HPISVS is to study the pathogenesis of infectious disease using structural biology, biochemistry, biophysics, immunology, and microbiology to examine proteins and protein complexes associated with pathogenesis. This Section studies the molecular mechanisms required for the pathogenesis of malaria. See more about HPISVS, LMIV, and DIR.

HPISVS has three main areas of research, and postdoctoral fellows with expertise in any one area (or with overlapping expertise) 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 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, will employ established computational methods and devise novel immunogen design strategies, and will 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 desirable.

Focus on host-pathogen interactions: The individual will determine the structure of host-parasite 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-parasite 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, small-angle X-ray scattering, 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. Candidates should have experience in at least one of the above areas of research. This position is located in Bethesda, Maryland, United States of America.

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

To Apply

Interested candidates should send their curriculum vitae (CV), bibliography, and a one-page statement on their background and interests in the position to Chaketa Ingram at Chaketa.Ingram@nih.gov . This position is subject to a background investigation.

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