Scripps Staff Scientist - Martins Lab

University of Florida; Florida; On-site; USD 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

LRP Media Group is seeking a Scripps Staff Scientist for the Martins Lab at the University of Florida. This role focuses on innovative research aimed at developing a functional cure for HIV/AIDS and requires a strong background in immunology or virology.

The ideal candidate will have a Ph.D., experience with gene therapy vectors, and strong project management skills. Applications should include a cover letter and resume, as well as contacts for references. Position remains open until filled.

Qualifications

• Ph.D. in immunology, virology, or a related discipline.
• Evidence of productivity from publications in high-quality journals.
• Expertise in gene therapy vector design.
• Verbal and written communication skills in English.
• Strong organizational and managerial skills.

Responsibilities

• Manage projects including meetings and bookkeeping.
• Write grants and manuscripts.
• Perform cloning, cell culture, and protein expression.

Skills

Project Management

Gene therapy vector design

Published research in high-quality journals

Communication skills in English

Organizational skills

Education

Ph.D. in immunology, virology, or related discipline

Tools

Flow cytometry

ELISA

Next-generation sequencing

Job description

Scripps Staff Scientist - Martins Lab

Job no: 537163

Work type: Staff Full-Time

Location: Palm Beach

Categories: Biology/Life Science, Grant or Research Administration

Department: 37042060 - SR-IM-MARTINS LAB

Classification Title

Scripps Staff Scientist

Classification Minimum Requirements

Ph.D. and/or MD in an appropriate scientific discipline required. A minimum of 2 years postdoctoral experience.

Job Description

The Martins lab at The Herbert Wertheim UF Scripps Institute for Biomedical Innovation & Technology is looking for a Staff Scientist. Our research program is focused on developing a “one-shot” functional cure for HIV/AIDS. To that end, we are leveraging the latest advances in gene therapy to engineer long‑lived host cells to continuously produce HIV‑1 IgG therapeutics in vivo at levels sufficient to prevent viral replication in the absence of antiretroviral therapy (ART). Using nonhuman primates as a preclinical model of HIV/AIDS, we have shown that a single dose of adeno‑associated virus (AAV) vectors at birth can result in stable expression of a HIV‑1 broadly neutralizing antibody (bNAb) in plasma for years without redosing. The systemic HIV‑1 immunity achieved by this strategy could block acquisition of simian‑HIV infection (SHIV) in mucosal challenge models that mimic HIV transmission through breastfeeding and sexual intercourse. Additionally, ongoing studies in our group show that AAV‑vectored delivery of HIV‑1 IgG biologics can also prevent virus rebound in SHIV‑infected infant and adult rhesus macaques following ART interruption. Despite the promise of these results, AAV‑expressed bNAbs often induce host immune responses that restrict bNAb expression and lead to treatment failure. Although these anti‑drug antibody (ADA) responses are rarely observed in newborn macaques, a large fraction of AAV/bNAb‑treated adult monkeys (and humans too!) develop immune responses that interfere with the half‑life or biological activity of the delivered molecules. Thus, a main focus of our lab is to understand why gene therapy with AAV/bNAb vectors induces ADAs in some animals, but not in others, in hopes devising strategies for suppressing these unwanted host immune responses.

Responsibilities

• Project Management (meetings, bookkeeping, purchasing of reagents and supplies, etc.)
• Grant/Manuscript writing
• Cloning, cell culture, ELISAs, protein expression and purification, and data analysis and interpretation

Expected Salary

Commensurate with experience.

Required Qualifications

• Ph.D. in immunology, virology, or a related discipline.
• Evidence of productivity from publications in high‑quality journals originating from Ph.D. or postdoctoral work. Manuscripts that are finally accepted for publication in high‑quality journals will also be considered as evidence of productivity.
• Significant expertise in the design and production of gene therapy vectors.
• Verbal and written communication skills in English with good organizational and analytical abilities.
• Strong managerial and organizational skills.

Preferred

• Immunological techniques, including flow cytometry, ELISA, immunofluorescence, RNA/DNA scope.
• Molecular biology assays, like qPCR and advanced cloning.
• Preclinical models of HIV/AIDS.
• Next‑generation sequencing and bioinformatics.

Special Instructions to Applicants

The University of Florida is a member of the State University System of Florida and an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment based on merit.

In order to be considered, you must upload your cover letter and resume.

Please provide names and email addresses of three to five references as part of the application process. When ready, the hiring department will contact the listed references via email requesting their reference letters to be uploaded directly to the application website.

This position is open until filled. Application review will begin September 22, 2025. This is a time‑limited position.

Health Assessment Required: Yes.