WRAIR Next-Generation Prophylactic Research Opportunity - Postdoctoral

Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education; Silver Spring (MD); On-site; USD 75,000 - 100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance supplement

Training and travel allowance

Job summary

Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education offers a one-year Postdoctoral research opportunity at the Walter Reed Army Institute of Research in Silver Spring, MD. Under a mentor, you will bridge computational protein design with hands-on expression, purification, and biophysical characterization, at the intersection of structural biology, AI, and translational vaccinology.

You will learn to employ machine-learning/AI platforms, evaluate protein quality, analyze data, and draft technical

Qualifications

• Earned doctoral degree in Biochemistry, Biophysics, Molecular Biology, Bioengineering or related STEM field.
• Degree must be received within 60 months of the application date.

Responsibilities

• Bridge computational protein design with wet-lab expression, purification and biophysical characterization.
• Learn to draft technical updates and comprehensive reports.
• Engage with AI platforms and structural biology tools.
• Analyze and interpret biochemical/biophysical data and downstream assay results.

Skills

Machine-learning principles

Protein expression (recombinant)

Protein purification

Biophysical characterization

Education

Doctoral degree in Biochemistry/Biophysics/Molecular Biology/Bioengineering

Job description

The Walter Reed Army Institute of Research (WRAIR), the Department of Defense's (DoD) premier research enterprise for infectious diseases, brain health, and performance optimization, is offering this Postdoctoral research opportunity to conduct proof-of-concept studies in developing next-generation prophylactics.

What will I be doing and why should I apply?

Under a mentor's guidance, you will engage in research that bridges computational protein design with hands-on wet-lab expression, purification, and biophysical characterization. You will have the opportunity to learn and gain experience at the intersection of structural biology, AI, and translational vaccinology within a highly collaborative research network.

Within this opportunity, you will be engaged in the following learning objectives:

• Applying machine-learning/AI platforms including AlphaFold3, RFdiffusion, ThermoMPNN, Rosetta, PROSS, PRoscan, PyMOL.
• Evaluating the purity, yield, and structural integrity of protein molecules, conduct ELISA, Biolayer Interferometry to benchmark candidate molecules.
• Analyzing, interpreting, and integrating biochemical/biophysical datasets with downstream biological assay results.
• Learning to draft technical updates and compose comprehensive reports.

Where will I be located?

Silver Spring, Maryland

What is the anticipated start date?

WRAIR is ready to make appointments immediately. Exact start dates will be determined at the time of selection and in coordination with the selected candidate. Applications are reviewed on an ongoing basis and fellowships will be filled as qualified candidates are identified.

What is the appointment length?

This is a twelve-month research appointment, with the possibility to be renewed for additional research periods. Appointments may be extended depending on funding availability, project assignment, program rules, and availability of the participant.

What are the provisions?

Participants will receive a stipend to be determined by WRAIR. Stipends are typically based on the participant’s academic standing, discipline, experience, and research facility location. Other provisions may include the following:

• Health Insurance Supplement. Participants are eligible to purchase health insurance through ORISE.
• Training and Travel Allowance

About WRAIR

The Walter Reed Army Institute of Research (WRAIR) aims to conduct biomedical research that is responsive to Department of Defense and U.S. Army requirements and delivers lifesaving products including knowledge, technology and medical material that sustain the combat effectiveness of the warfighter. WRAIR provides unique research capabilities and innovative medical solutions to a range of Force Health Protection and Readiness challenges currently facing U.S. Service Members, along with threats anticipated during future operations. More information is available at WRAIR.

About ORISE

This program, administered by Oak Ridge Associated Universities (ORAU) through its contract with the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) to manage the Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education (ORISE), was established through an interagency agreement between DOE and DoD. Participants do not enter into an employee/employer relationship with ORISE, ORAU, DoD or any other office or agency. Instead, you will be affiliated with ORISE for the administration of the appointment through the ORISE appointment letter and Terms of Appointment. Proof of health insurance is required for participation in this program. Health insurance can be obtained through ORISE. For more information, visit the ORISE Research Participation Program at the U.S. Department of Defense.

Qualifications

The qualified candidate will have an earned doctoral degree in Biochemistry, Biophysics, Molecular Biology, Bioengineering, or other eligible STEM discipline. Degree must be received within 60 months of the application date.

Preferred skills:

• Experience with using computational protein engineering principles
• Experience with recombinant protein expression mammalian and bacterial systems.
• Knowledge of protein purification (IMAC, SEC, IEX) and quality control (SDS-PAGE, Western blot, HPLC).
• Familiarity with structural and biophysical characterization techniques, particularly BLI/SPR.

Stipend

$75,000.00 – $100,000.00 Yearly

Eligibility Requirements

• Degree: Doctoral Degree received within the last 60 month(s).