Postdoctoral Fellow (Antibody Engineering)

The Geneva Foundation; Silver Spring (MD); On-site; USD 68,000 - 83,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Full benefits

PSLF eligibility

11 paid holidays

Paid time off

Job summary

The Geneva Foundation is seeking a Postdoctoral Fellow/Consultant to support investigators and research staff in developing next-generation prophylactics. The role covers design, expression, purification, and characterization of antibodies, scFvs, and BS-scFvs for vaccine candidates, bridging computational design with wet-lab work.

You will help with project execution, data management, regulatory support, and reporting, collaborating with investigators and sponsors to meet aims and ensure

Qualifications

• PhD in Biochemistry/Biophysics/Molecular Biology/Bioengineering or closely related field.
• Wet-lab experience in recombinant protein expression and purification.
• Direct experience with computational protein engineering suites and tools.

Responsibilities

• Computational antibody and protein design using ML/AI platforms.
• Recombinant protein expression and purification in multiple systems.
• Biophysical characterization and benchmarking of candidates (ELISA, BLI/SPR).
• Project management support, data management, reporting and collaboration.

Skills

Excellent communication

Independent work

Multidisciplinary collaboration

Medical research project management

Education

PhD in Biochemistry/Biophysics/Molecular Biology/Bioengineering

Tools

AlphaFold3

RFdiffusion

Rosetta

PROSS

PRoscan

PyMOL

ThermoMPNN

Job description

About the Position

We are seeking a highly motivated and skilled Postdoctoral Fellow/Consultant to support the Principal Investigator, Co-Investigators, and research staff in the development and evaluation of next-generation prophylactics. The successful candidate will conduct proof-of-concept studies involving the design, expression, purification, and characterization of antibodies, single-chain variable fragments (scFvs), and bispecific scFvs (BS-scFvs) targeting key vaccine candidates.

About the Project

This position offers an exceptional opportunity to work at the intersection of computational protein design, structural biology, artificial intelligence, and translational vaccinology within a highly collaborative research environment. The candidate will bridge computational approaches with hands-on wet-laboratory research and contribute to the advancement of novel prophylactic strategies. In addition to laboratory and research responsibilities, the Postdoctoral Fellow/Consultant will assist with overall project execution, including ensuring enrollment targets are met when applicable, maintaining protocol adherence, supporting monitoring visits, overseeing regulatory and administrative requirements, assisting with data management, and providing project close-out support. The successful candidate will work closely with investigators and research staff to ensure scientific, operational, and regulatory objectives are achieved.

Work Authorization Requirement

Must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident, or otherwise authorized to work in the United States without employer sponsorship.

Salary Range

$75,000. Salaries are determined based on several factors including external market data, internal equity, and the candidate’s related knowledge, skills, and abilities for the position.

Job Description Qualifications

Ph.D. in Biochemistry, Biophysics, Molecular Biology, Bioengineering, or a closely related scientific discipline. Wet-Lab Experience: Expertise in recombinant protein expression mammalian and bacterial systems. Extensive experience in protein purification (IMAC, SEC, IEX) and quality control (SDS-PAGE, Western blot, HPLC). Demonstrated familiarity with structural and biophysical characterization techniques, particularly BLI/SPR. Computational Skills: Direct experience using computational protein engineering suites. Skills: Excellent communication, meticulous record-keeping, and the ability to work independently within a multidisciplinary, collaborative team environment. 1-2 years medical research project management experience strongly desired, preferably with Department of Defense Knowledge of military system, preferred. Demonstrate competence in oral and written communication Must be organized, attentive to detail, and possess a positive, friendly and professional demeanor Ability to be flexible with changing priorities and available to interact with employees, clients and sponsors of all levels Ability to exercise independent judgment in fast-paced, high-pressured environment with strict deadlines and to manage multiple projects Computer skills including at least intermediate level experience with Excel and other Microsoft Office Software.

Responsibilities

• Computational Antibody & Protein Design: Use machine-learning/AI platforms including AlphaFold3, RFdiffusion, ThermoMPNN, Rosetta, PROSS, PRoscan, PyMOL.
• Recombinant Protein Expression & Purification: Express proteins in mammalian expression system, Escherichia coli or alternative expression hosts. Perform protein purification using chromatography platforms (FPLC, affinity, size-exclusion chromatography).
• Biophysical & Biochemical Characterization: Evaluate the purity, yield, and structural integrity of protein molecules, conduct ELISA, Biolayer Interferometry to benchmark candidate molecules.
• Project Management, Collaboration & Reporting: Analyze, interpret, and integrate biochemical/biophysical datasets with downstream biological assay results generated by partners. Draft technical updates and final comprehensive reports for the project sponsor. Collaborate and assist the Principle Investigator, Co-Investigators and research team in the performance the research study Contribute to the drafting and submitting of abstracts, manuscripts and reports for dissemination Prepare progress reports on research as required Analyze and write-up data Present complex information effectively to a range of audiences Provide data management assistance Provide project close-out support.

Company

As a leader in military medical research, at Geneva, our professionals develop critical solutions - and build rewarding careers. Our team of more than 400 employees across the world joins forces with some of the world's leading researchers and innovators, who are committed to the advancement of military medicine worldwide. Transforming Military Medicine to Save Lives Worldwide Geneva is a 501(c)3 nonprofit that advances military medicine through research, development, and education as we pursue our purpose to ensure optimal health for service members and the communities they serve.

The Geneva Foundation is an equal opportunity employer.

Benefits

• Our benefits package includes financial rewards that are a significant part of the employee's total rewards compensation package.
• Geneva's highly competitive benefits include medical, dental, and vision healthcare, Flexible Spending Account, Health Savings account, with employer contribution.
• Coverage is provided for employees and family members including domestic partners.
• Short-and long-term disability, Employee Assistance Program, Life & ADD insurance, 403b retirement plan with generous employer match, flexible leave options, 11 paid holidays per year, and up to 4 weeks of paid time off in a rolling year.
• Employees may qualify for PSLF as Geneva is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.
• Full time positions come with all benefits.
• Part time and intermittent positions may vary.