Postdoctoral Fellow: Translational Immunology & Vaccines

La Jolla Institute; California; Hybrid; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical/dental/vision benefits

Paid sick leave

403B retirement plan

Professional development opportunities

Access to cutting-edge facilities

Job summary

The La Jolla Institute for Immunology (LJI) is seeking a postdoctoral researcher to join projects on immune responses to infection and vaccines. The Grifoni lab focuses on human and mouse T cell responses to infectious diseases and current or novel viral-based vaccines.

The ideal candidate will engage in translational research with strong mentorship and professional development, and benefit from LJI's collaborative environment and cutting-edge facilities in San Diego.

Qualifications

• PhD or equivalent in immunology, virology, or bioinformatics.
• Minimum 4 years of hands-on experience in T cell immunology and/or virology.
• Proven track record of independent experimental design, optimization, and execution of cell culture, multi-color flow cytometry (10+ required, 20+ preferred), and FluoroSpot/ELISPOT assays.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with a demonstrated ability to write scientific manuscripts.

Responsibilities

• Join projects related to immune responses to infection and vaccines.
• Contribute to translational research with applications in health care.
• Mentor and collaborate within a dedicated team of scientists.

Education

PhD or equivalent in immunology/virology/bioinformatics

Tools

Flow cytometry

FluoroSpot/ELISPOT

Job description

The Grifoni lab is seeking a postdoctoral researcher to join projects related to immune responses to infection and vaccines. Dr. Grifoni's lab focuses on human and mouse T cell responses to infectious diseases, particularly Coronaviruses, Enteroviruses, Orthomyxoviruses, Orthopoxviruses, Arenaviruses, and other emergent viral pathogens relevant to worldwide global health. The Grifoni lab work unravels T cell responses induced by infections and current or novel viral-based vaccines.

About the role

The ideal candidate would have an interest in translational research with applications in health care and will play a crucial role within a dedicated team of scientists and thrive in a supportive atmosphere that offers mentorship, nurtures talent, and promotes personal development and education. LJI is a globally recognized institution that offers outstanding perks and strong backing for its researchers.

List of relevant publications related to this position:

1. Tarke et al., Cell Rep Med 2023; PMID:37295422
2. Neto et al., Cell 2025; PMID: 40774254
3. Lee et al., Cell Rep Med 2026; PMID: 42161271
4. Snyder et al., Clin Immunol 2026; PMID:41077293

Include in your application in one single file:

1. A cover letter describing your background and interest in the position

2. Your CV

3. Contact information for three references

Required Qualifications:

• PhD or equivalent doctoral degree in immunology, virology, or bioinformatics
• Minimum 4 years of hands-on experience in T cell immunology and/or virology during their training.
• Proven track record of independent experimental design, optimization, and execution of cell culture, multi-color flow cytometry (10+ required, 20+ preferred), and FluoroSpot/ELISPOT assays.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with a demonstrated ability to write scientific manuscripts.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Prior experience with in vivo mouse models of viral infection
• Experience analyzing large-scale datasets (e.g., viral sequences, scRNAseq, TCRseq), including proficiency with computational methods and relevant statistical software.

Benefits:

• Salary commensurate with experience
• Opportunities for professional development and advancement
• Access to cutting-edge facilities and resources for research
• Supportive and inclusive work environment fostering growth and innovation
• Networking opportunities with professionals in the field of immunology