Postdoctoral Researcher (Molecular & Comparative Pathobiology)

The Chronicle Of Higher Education, Inc.; Baltimore (MD); On-site; USD 63,480 - 69,180; Full time

Job summary

Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore is seeking a Postdoctoral Fellow to join a cutting-edge HIV-1 persistence and cure strategy research team. The position focuses on advanced molecular biology, virology, and lentiviral vector methods within a collaborative environment.

The role offers opportunities to develop and optimize assays, perform cell culture and transduction, analyze complex datasets, and contribute to publications advancing understanding of viral latency and eradication.

Qualifications

• Ph.D. in Molecular Biology, Biochemistry, Immunology or related field with demonstrated research experience in cell & molecular biology techniques and production of lentiviral vectors.
• Hands-on experience with tissue culture methods including mammalian cell culture and transfection procedures.
• Familiarity with assay development for HIV-1 latency studies or similar viral persistence models is highly desirable.
• Strong data analysis skills using biostatistical methods.
• Excellent record-keeping skills with attention to detail; ability to work effectively within a team environment in a fast-paced research setting.

Responsibilities

• Conduct complex experiments involving tissue culture, lentiviral packaging and titration, DNA isolation, PCR, Western blotting, flow cytometry, ELISA, and immunoassays to investigate HIV-1 persistence mechanisms.
• Develop and optimize assays related to HIV-1 latency reversal and eradication strategies.
• Perform cell culture experiments with mammalian cells, including lentiviral transduction.
• Analyze datasets to interpret experimental results and generate scientific insights.
• Maintain meticulous laboratory records documenting experimental procedures, results, and data analysis outcomes in compliance with research standards.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams on projects involving development of innovative HIV-1 cure strategies, molecular biology techniques, and biochemical assays.
• Contribute to scientific publications by preparing figures, writing manuscripts, and presenting findings at conferences or seminars.

Skills

Tissue culture

Lentiviral packaging

Lentiviral transduction

PCR

Western blotting

Flow cytometry

ELISA

Data analysis

Scientific publications

Laboratory record-keeping

Education

Ph.D. in Molecular Biology, Biochemistry, Immunology or related field

Tools

DNA isolation

Immunoassays

Lentiviral vectors production

Job description

Johns Hopkins, founded in 1876, is America's first researchuniversity and home to nine world-class academic divisions workingtogether as one university.

Salary

$63,480 - $69,180

Johns Hopkins University: School of Medicine: Department ofMolecular and Comparative Pathobiology

Description

We are seeking a highly motivated and detail-oriented PostdoctoralFellow to join our cutting-edge research team focused on HIV-1persistence and cure strategies. This dynamic role offers anexciting opportunity to contribute to transformative scientificdiscoveries in the field of HIV research, utilizing advancedmolecular biology, virology, and lentiviral vector methods. Theideal candidate will thrive in a collaborative environment,demonstrate technical proficiency in laboratory methods, andpossess a passion for advancing understanding of viral latency anderadication. This paid position provides comprehensive researchexperience in a vibrant academic or research institution dedicatedto innovative health solutions.

Duties

• Conduct complex experiments involving tissue culture,lentiviral packaging and titration, DNA isolation, PCR, Westernblotting, flow cytometry, ELISA, and immunoassays to investigateHIV-1 persistence mechanisms
• Develop and optimize assays related to HIV-1 latency reversaland eradication strategies
• Perform cell culture experiments with mammalian cells,including lentiviral transduction
• Analyze datasets to interpret experimental results and generatescientific insights
• Maintain meticulous laboratory records documenting experimentalprocedures, results, and data analysis outcomes in compliance withresearch standards
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams on projects involvingdevelopment of innovative HIV-1 cure strategies, molecular biologytechniques, and biochemical assays
• Contribute to scientific publications by preparing figures,writing manuscripts, and presenting findings at conferences orseminars

Qualifications

• Ph.D. in Molecular Biology, Biochemistry, Immunology or relatedfield with demonstrated research experience in cell & molecularbiology techniques and production of lentiviral vectors
• Proven expertise in tissue culture methods including mammaliancell culture and transfection procedures
• Hands-on experience with DNA isolation, PCR amplification,Western blotting, flow cytometry (cytometry), and immunoassays suchas ELISA
• Familiarity with assay development for HIV-1 latency studies orsimilar viral persistence models is highly desirable
• Strong data analysis skills using biostatistical methods
• Track record of scientific publications demonstratingindependent research capabilities in relevant fields
• Excellent record-keeping skills with attention to detail;ability to work effectively within a team environment in a fast-paced research setting

Equal Opportunity Employer

The Johns Hopkins University is committed to equal opportunity forits faculty, staff, and students. To that end, the university doesnot discriminate on the basis of sex, gender, marital status,pregnancy, race, color, ethnicity, national origin, age,disability, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity orexpression, veteran status or other legally protectedcharacteristics. The University is committed to providing qualifiedindividuals access to all academic and employment programs,benefits and activities on the basis of demonstrated ability,performance and merit without regard to personal factors or demographic characteristics that are irrelevant to the program involved.

Salary Range

The referenced salary range represents the minimum and maximumsalaries for this position and is based on Johns HopkinsUniversity's good faith belief at the time of posting. Not allcandidates will be eligible for the upper end of the salary range.The actual compensation offered to the selected candidate may varyand will ultimately depend on multiple factors, which may includethe successful candidate's geographic location, skills, workexperience, internal equity, market conditions, education/trainingand other factors, as reasonably determined by theUniversity.

Total Rewards

• Johns Hopkins offers a total rewards package that supports ouremployees' health, life, career and retirement. More information can be found here: https://hr.jhu.edu/benefits-worklife/.

Background Checks

After receiving a conditional offer, the successful candidate(s)for this position will be subject to a pre-employment backgroundcheck including education verification. When deciding whether acandidate’s conviction history is job-disqualifying, the Universityconsiders the nature and gravity of the offense, the time that haspassed since the conviction, and the nature of the job beingsought.

EEO is the Law

https://www.eeoc.gov/employees-job-applicants

Vaccine Requirements

Johns Hopkins University strongly encourages, but no longerrequires, at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. This changedoes not apply to the School of Medicine (SOM). SOM hires must befully vaccinated with an FDA COVID-19 vaccination and provide proofof vaccination status. We still require all faculty, staff, andstudents to receive the seasonalflu vaccine.

Exceptions to the seasonal flu vaccine or COVID-19 vaccine (forSOM) requirement(s) may be provided to individuals with sincerelyheld religious beliefs or medical conditions that preclude themfrom receiving the vaccine. Requests for an exception must besubmitted to the JHU vaccination registry. For additionalinformation, applicants for SOM positions should visit https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/coronavirus/covid-19-vaccine/and all other JHU applicants should visit https://covidinfo.jhu.edu/health-safety/covid-vaccination-information/.

The pre-employment physical for positions in clinical areas,laboratories, working with research subjects, or involvingcommunity contact requires documentation of immune status againstRubella (German measles), Rubeola (Measles), Mumps, Varicella(chickenpox), Hepatitis B and documentation of having received the Tdap (Tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis) vaccination. This may includedocumentation of having two (2) MMR vaccines; two (2) Varicellavaccines; or antibody status to these diseases from laboratorytesting. Blood tests for immunities to these diseases areordinarily included in the pre-employment physical exam except forthose candidates who provide results of blood tests or immunizationdocumentation from their own health care providers. Anyvaccinations required for these diseases will be given at no costin our Occupational Health office.

If you are interested in applying for employment with Johns HopkinsUniversity and require special assistance or accommodation duringany part of the pre-employment process, please contact the HRBusiness Services Office at [e-mail]. ForTTY users, call via Maryland Relay or dial 711. For moreinformation about workplace accommodations at Johns HopkinsUniversity for disabilities, medical conditions (including medicalconditions related to pregnancy or childbirth), accessibility, orreligious reasons, please visit accessibility.jhu.edu.