Postdoctoral Research Fellow - Reinherz Lab

Dana-Farber Cancer Institute; Boston (MA); On-site; USD 72,000 - 76,000; Full time

Job summary

The Reinherz lab at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Harvard Medical School is recruiting a postdoctoral fellow to study HIV-1 vaccine immunology, combining structural biology, molecular biology, biochemistry, and immunology to inform vaccine design.

Responsibilities include designing HIV-1 Env vaccine candidates, assessing B cell maturation and antibody responses, and performing mouse immunization studies within a collaborative environment.

Qualifications

• PhD or MD/PhD in biomedical sciences or closely related field.
• Strong background in immunology, molecular biology, and biochemistry.
• Hands-on experience evaluating immune responses including antibody measurement, B cell and T cell analyses, and repertoire analysis.
• Experience with mouse models and animal handling.
• Demonstrated publications in peer‑reviewed journals.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to work independently as well as collaboratively in a team.

Responsibilities

• Design and conduct studies related to HIV-1 Env vaccine candidates.
• Investigate approaches to enhance B cell affinity maturation and antibody responses.
• Perform mouse immunization studies and related in vivo work.
• Analyze immune sera to assess vaccine-elicited responses.
• Conduct flow cytometry (FACS) for immune cell characterization.
• Perform B cell repertoire analysis and immunohistology experiments.
• Carry out molecular cloning, protein expression, and protein purification.
• Maintain and utilize cell culture systems to support research.
• Interpret data, prepare reports, and contribute to manuscripts for publication.
• Collaborate effectively with lab members and support broader research goals.

Skills

Immunology

Molecular biology

Biochemistry

Independent work

Written/verbal communication

Education

PhD or MD/PhD in biomedical sciences

Tools

Flow cytometry (FACS)

Mouse models

Molecular cloning

Protein expression

Protein purification

Cell culture

Job description

The Reinherz lab at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Harvard Medical School is recruiting a postdoctoral fellow to study HIV-1 vaccine immunology. We use an interdisciplinary approach combining structural biology, molecular biology, biochemistry, and immunology to generate insights that can be translated into HIV-1 vaccine design. Specific research areas of interest include molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying B cell immunodominance and strategies to modulate B cell affinity maturation during vaccination to induce protective immunity while preventing induction of autoimmunity. The laboratory provides a rich training environment and access to cutting-edge techniques.

Located in Boston and the surrounding communities, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute is a leader in life changing breakthroughs in cancer research and patient care. We are united in our mission of conquering cancer, HIV/AIDS, and related diseases. We strive to create an inclusive, diverse, and equitable environment where we provide compassionate and comprehensive care to patients of all backgrounds, and design programs to promote public health particularly among high-risk and underserved populations. We conduct groundbreaking research that advances treatment, we educate tomorrow's physician/researchers, and we work with amazing partners, including other Harvard Medical School-affiliated hospitals.

Position Summary

• Conduct research focused onHIV-1 Env vaccine developmentand themodulation of B cell affinity maturation.

• Contribute tostructure-guided immunogen designand the development ofnovel vaccine strategiesto improve subdominant antibody responses.

• Work in a collaborative research environment while independently driving experimental projects.

Key Responsibilities

• Design and execute studies related toHIV-1 Env vaccine candidates.

• Investigate approaches to enhanceB cell affinity maturationand antibody responses.

• Performmouse immunization studiesand related in vivo experimental work.

• Analyzeimmune serato assess vaccine-elicited responses.

• Conductflow cytometry (FACS)for immune cell characterization and analysis.

• PerformB cell repertoire analysisandimmunohistologyexperiments.

• Carry outmolecular cloning,protein expression, andprotein purification.

• Maintain and utilizecell culture systemsto support research activities.

• Interpret experimental data, prepare reports, and contribute to manuscripts for publication.

• Collaborate effectively with other lab members and support broader research goals.

Required Qualifications

• RecentPhDorMD/PhDinbiomedical sciencesor a closely related field.

• Strong background inimmunology,molecular biology, andbiochemistry.

• Hands-on experience with techniques used to evaluate immune responses, including:

  • Antibody measurement

  • B cell and T cell response analysis

  • B cell repertoire analysis

  • Mouse models and animal handling

• Demonstrated publication record inpeer-reviewed journals.

• Excellentwritten and verbal communication skills.

• Ability to workindependentlyas well as collaboratively in a team setting.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience withmolecular cloningand related molecular biology techniques.

• Proficiency inprotein expression,protein purification, andbiochemical methods.

• Experience withcell culturetechniques.

• Strong organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple projects.

Application Materials

• ACV

• A briefstatement of research interests/goals

• Three professional references

At Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, we work every day to create an innovative, caring, and inclusiveenvironment where every patient, family, and staff member feels they belong. As relentless as we are in our mission to reduce the burden of cancer for all, we are committed to having faculty and staff who offer multifaceted experiences. Cancer knows no boundaries and when it comes to hiring the most dedicated and compassionateprofessionals, neither do we.

Dana-Farber Cancer Institute is an equal opportunity employer and affirms the right of every qualified applicant to receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender identity or expression, national origin, sexual orientation, genetic information, disability, age, ancestry, military service, protected veteran status, or other characteristics protected by law.

EEO Poster

Pay Transparency Statement

The hiring range is based on market pay structures, with individual salaries determined by factors such as business needs, market conditions, internal equity, and based on the candidate’s relevant experience, skills and qualifications.

For union positions, the pay range is determined by the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA).

$72,000.00 - $76,385.00