Postdoctoral Scientist: AAV Vector Engineering

BioSpace; San Diego (CA); On-site; USD 58,000 - 123,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401(k) matching

Pension

Vacation benefits

Medical, dental, vision benefits

Flexible benefits

Life insurance

Time off and leave

Well-being benefits

Bonus eligibility

Job summary

Lilly in San Diego is seeking a Postdoctoral Research Scientist to advance AAV gene delivery through capsid engineering. This two-year fellowship offers training in viral vector engineering, opportunities for high-impact publications, and cross-functional translational research exposure.

The role focuses on receptor-mediated enhancement, rigorous data analysis, and collaboration with gene therapy teams to push forward therapeutic vectors.

Qualifications

• PhD in life sciences or related field.
• Proficiency in mammalian cell culture.
• Experience with qPCR or digital PCR.
• Authorized to work in the United States full-time.

Responsibilities

• Design, clone, produce, and purify engineered AAV vectors with targeting modifications.
• Perform vector QC including titering, purity assessment, and particle integrity analysis.
• Execute cell-based binding, internalization, and transduction assays using flow cytometry and confocal microscopy.
• Conduct mechanistic trafficking studies including endosomal escape, capsid uncoating, and genome processing.
• Integrate experimental data to establish structure-activity relationships and mechanistic insights.
• Maintain rigorous documentation in electronic lab notebooks.
• Present findings at meetings and prepare manuscripts (1–2 first-author papers).

Skills

Cell culture

qPCR/dPCR

Data analysis

Independent work

Education

PhD in life sciences

Tools

Flow cytometry

Confocal microscopy

DNA manipulation

Job description

Lilly in San Diego is seeking a Postdoctoral Research Scientist to advance AAV gene delivery through capsid engineering. This two-year fellowship offers training in viral vector engineering, opportunities for high-impact publications, and cross-functional translational research exposure.

The role focuses on receptor-mediated enhancement, rigorous data analysis, and collaboration with gene therapy teams to push forward therapeutic vectors.