Postdoctoral Associate: Immunology, Gene Therapy, Molecular Biology

Mass General Brigham; Boston (MA); On-site; USD 77,000 - 125,000; Full time

Job summary

Mass General Brigham is seeking a skilled Postdoctoral Associate in Immunology, Gene Therapy, and Molecular Biology. Join a team developing innovative assays for AAV antibodies, working with experts across academia and industry to advance gene therapies that could transform patient care.

Qualifications

• Strong background in molecular biology and immunology.
• Experience in assay development techniques.
• Familiarity with AAV antibody measurement technologies.

Responsibilities

• Develop assays for measuring AAV antibodies.
• Collaborate with cross-disciplinary teams.
• Optimize technologies for antibody detection.

Skills

Molecular Biology

Immunology

Assay Development

Education

PhD in Immunology or related field

Job description

Postdoctoral Associate: Immunology, Gene Therapy, Molecular Biology

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Site: The General Hospital Corporation

Mass General Brigham relies on a wide range of professionals, including doctors, nurses, business people, tech experts, researchers, and systems analysts to advance our mission. As a not-for-profit, we support patient care, research, teaching, and community service, striving to provide exceptional care. We believe that high-performing teams drive groundbreaking medical discoveries and invite all applicants to join us and experience what it means to be part of Mass General Brigham.

Job Summary

Neutralizing antibodies to adeno-associated virus (AAV) occur naturally and block the delivery of life-saving gene therapy. Individuals with antibodies are currently excluded from receiving gene therapies, leaving countless patients with debilitating, terminal genetic disease who cannot receive potentially transformative therapies. Emerging options to reduce neutralizing antibodies include medications that cleave or decrease the lifespan of AAV antibodies or that target plasma cells, however optimal deployment of these approaches will require rapid and robust measurement of AAV antibodies in the clinical setting.

We are seeking a highly motivated and talented Post-Doctoral Scholar to join a brand-new interdisciplinary, industry-academic consortium focused on developing a rapid, robust and reliable assay for AAV antibodies that could be used in the clinic and rapidly incorporate new AAV serotypes and evolved novel AAV capsids. We first plan to use testing platforms to identify which features of pre-existing immunity can predict alterations in safety and efficacy of AAV gene therapies. We next want to compare the attributes of a variety of antibody-measurement technologies (including multiplexed ELISA approaches and mass spectrometry) on standardized positive control antibody cocktails and patient samples from individuals pre- and post-gene therapy administration. We will then leverage these data packets to work with clinicians, scientists and regulators to develop a robust, standardized, platform-based assay that will accelerate testing and enable approaches to modulate antibodies in the clinic.

The Post-Doctoral Scholar will be co-advised by Michelle Rengarajan MD, PhD at MGH and Barbara Sullivan PhD, Senior Director of Immunology and Biomarker Strategy at Ultragenyx. The Post-Doctoral scholar will work closely with a diverse team of researchers, including scientists and clinicians from academia and industry to optimize and validate these technologies for detecting AAV antibodies. The role involves applying expertise in molecular biology, immunology, and assay development, while also participating in cross-disciplinary collaborations to advance novel approaches for AAV antibody measurement.

Neutralizing antibodies to adeno-associated virus (AAV) occur naturally and block the delivery of life-saving gene therapy. Individuals with antibodies are currently excluded from receiving gene therapies, leaving countless patients with debilitating, terminal genetic disease who cannot receive potentially transformative therapies. Emerging options to reduce neutralizing antibodies include medications that cleave or decrease the lifespan of AAV antibodies or that target plasma cells, however optimal deployment of these approaches will require rapid and robust measurement of AAV antibodies in the clinical setting.

Qualifications

We are seeking a highly motivated and talented Post-Doctoral Scholar to join a brand-new interdisciplinary, industry-academic consortium focused on developing a rapid, robust and reliable assay for AAV antibodies that could be used in the clinic and rapidly incorporate new AAV serotypes and evolved novel AAV capsids. We first plan to use testing platforms to identify which features of pre-existing immunity can predict alterations in safety and efficacy of AAV gene therapies. We next want to compare the attributes of a variety of antibody-measurement technologies (including multiplexed ELISA approaches and mass spectrometry) on standardized positive control antibody cocktails and patient samples from individuals pre- and post-gene therapy administration. We will then leverage these data packets to work with clinicians, scientists and regulators to develop a robust, standardized, platform-based assay that will accelerate testing and enable approaches to modulate antibodies in the clinic.

The Post-Doctoral Scholar will be co-advised by Michelle Rengarajan MD, PhD at MGH and Barbara Sullivan PhD, Senior Director of Immunology and Biomarker Strategy at Ultragenyx. The Post-Doctoral scholar will work closely with a diverse team of researchers, including scientists and clinicians from academia and industry to optimize and validate these technologies for detecting AAV antibodies. The role involves applying expertise in molecular biology, immunology, and assay development, while also participating in cross-disciplinary collaborations to advance novel approaches for AAV antibody measurement.

To apply, please submit your CV and a letter of interest to Jonna Grimsby at [e-mail].

Additional Job Details (if Applicable)

Remote Type

Onsite

Work Location

60 Blossom Street

Scheduled Weekly Hours

40

Employee Type

Regular

Work Shift

Day (United States of America)

EEO Statement

The General Hospital Corporation is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religious creed, national origin, sex, age, gender identity, disability, sexual orientation, military service, genetic information, and/or other status protected under law. We will ensure that all individuals with a disability are provided a reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. To ensure reasonable accommodation for individuals protected by Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Vietnam Veteran’s Readjustment Act of 1974, and Title I of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, applicants who require accommodation in the job application process may contact Human Resources at (857)-282-7642.

Mass General Brigham Competency Framework

At Mass General Brigham, our competency framework defines what effective leadership “looks like” by specifying which behaviors are most critical for successful performance at each job level. The framework is comprised of ten competencies (half People-Focused, half Performance-Focused) and are defined by observable and measurable skills and behaviors that contribute to workplace effectiveness and career success. These competencies are used to evaluate performance, make hiring decisions, identify development needs, mobilize employees across our system, and establish a strong talent pipeline.

Seniority level

• Seniority level

  Internship

Employment type

• Employment type

  Full-time

Job function

• Job function

  Research, Analyst, and Information Technology

• Industries

  Hospitals and Health Care

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