Associate Scientist, Post Doc Fellow- Viral Immunology & Antibody Discovery

MSD; West Point (PA); On-site; USD 82,000 - 92,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual bonus

Long-term incentive

Medical, dental, vision coverage

401(k)

Job summary

MSD in West Point, PA is seeking a Postdoctoral Fellow in Viral Immunology & Antibody Discovery to isolate human monoclonal antibodies, map epitopes, and characterize their functions to inform vaccine design. You will work with a multidisciplinary team and collaborators to advance antigenicity insights.

The role requires hands-on experience with antibodies, immunoassays, and protein interactions, plus capability to design and troubleshoot experiments and publish results.

Qualifications

• Hands-on experience using antibodies for antigenic characterization.
• Experience with immunological assays such as ELISA and neutralization assays.
• Familiarity with protein interaction analysis (e.g., Octet/BLI, SPR).
• Hands-on experience with aseptic cell culture, including primary human cells.
• Proficiency in standard molecular biology techniques (PCR, cloning, transfection).
• Demonstrated ability to independently design, execute, and troubleshoot experiments.
• Demonstrated ability to analyze data and publish findings.
• Excellent communication, collaboration, and critical thinking skills.

Responsibilities

• Isolate monoclonal antibodies from human samples.
• Map epitopes and characterize functional properties to define antigenic sites.
• Collaborate with internal and external partners to provide insights into antigenicity.
• Inform next-generation vaccine design with experimental findings.
• Publish findings from data analyses.

Skills

Epitope mapping

ELISA

Neutralization assays

SPR

Cell culture

PCR

Cloning

Data analysis

Publications

Education

PhD in Immunology/Virology

Expected PhD by Spring 2027

Tools

BD Symphony

LSR II

FACSARIA

Sony SH800

Octet/BLI

Job description

Postdoctoral Fellow, Viral Immunology & Antibody Discovery

Position Overview We are seeking a highly motivated and creative Postdoctoral Fellow to join our Infectious Diseases & Vaccines Discovery group at our West Point, PA site. The successful candidate will join a dynamic, multidisciplinary team to work on the discovery and functional characterization of monoclonal antibodies against viral pathogens. The postdoctoral fellow will be responsible for isolating novel mAbs from human samples, mapping their epitopes, and characterizing their functional properties to define critical antigenic sites. This research will inform next-generation vaccine design, and the fellow will work closely with internal and external collaborators to provide novel insights into antigenicity.

Education Minimum Requirement

• Must currently hold a PhD OR
• Receive a Ph.D. no later than spring 2027
• Ph.D. in Immunology, Virology, Molecular Biology, or a related field.

Required Experience and Skills

• Hands-on experience using antibodies as tools for antigenic characterization (e.g., epitope mapping).
• Experience with immunological assays such as ELISA and neutralization assays.
• Familiarity with protein interaction analysis (e.g., Octet/BLI, SPR).
• Hands-on experience with aseptic cell culture, including primary human cells.
• Proficiency in standard molecular biology techniques (PCR, cloning, transfection).
• Demonstrated ability to independently design, execute, and troubleshoot experiments.
• Demonstrated ability to analyze data and publish findings.
• Excellent communication, collaboration, and critical thinking skills.

Preferred Experience and Skills

• Hands-on experience in monoclonal antibody discovery from primary B cells.
• Familiarity with flow cytometry platforms including BD Symphony, LSR II, FACSARIA, and Sony SH800.
• Background in respiratory viruses.
• Track record of publications in peer-reviewed journals.
• Experience with advanced immunological techniques, such as polyclonal serum depletion and competition assays, is a plus.

The salary range for this role is: $82,000- $92,000

This is the lowest to highest salary we in good faith believe we would pay for this role at the time of this posting. An employee's position within the salary range will be based on several factors including, but not limited to relevant education, qualifications, certifications, experience, skills, geographic location, government requirements, and business or organizational needs.

The successful candidate will be eligible for annual bonus and long-term incentive, if applicable.

We offer a comprehensive package of benefits. Available benefits include medical, dental, vision healthcare and other insurance benefits (for employee and family), retirement benefits, including 401(k), paid holidays, vacation, and compassionate and sick days.

Required Skills: Antibodies, Cell Culture Techniques, Cellular Immunology, Data Analysis, Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA), Immunoassays, Molecular Cloning, Vaccine Development, Virology

US and Puerto Rico Residents Only:

Our company is committed to inclusion, ensuring that candidates can engage in a hiring process that exhibits their true capabilities.

San Francisco Residents Only:

We will consider qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records for employment in compliance with the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance.

Los Angeles Residents Only:

We will consider for employment all qualified applicants, including those with criminal histories, in a manner consistent with the requirements of applicable state and local laws, including the City of Los Angeles' Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance.

As an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer, we provide equal opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibit discrimination on the basis of race, color, age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, disability status, or other applicable legally protected characteristics. As a federal contractor, we comply with all affirmative action requirements for protected veterans and individuals with disabilities. For more information about personal rights under the U.S. Equal Opportunity Employment laws, visit: EEOC Know Your Rights EEOC GINA Supplement

We are proud to be a company that embraces the value of bringing together, talented, and committed people with diverse experiences, perspectives, skills and backgrounds. The fastest way to breakthrough innovation is when people with diverse ideas, broad experiences, backgrounds, and skills come together in an inclusive environment. We encourage our colleagues to respectfully challenge one another’s thinking and approach problems collectively.

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Employee Status: Regular

Relocation: Domestic

VISA Sponsorship: Yes

Travel Requirements: 10%

Flexible Work Arrangements: Not Applicable

Shift: Not Indicated

Valid Driving License: No

Hazardous Material(s): N/A

Job Posting End Date: 10/12/2026*A job posting is effective until 11:59:59PM on the day BEFORE the listed job posting end date. Please ensure you apply to a job posting no later than the day BEFORE the job posting end date.