POSTDOCTORAL ASSOCIATE

This Position is Grant Funded

School of Medicine

Established in 1930, Duke University School of Medicine is the youngest of the nation's top medical schools. Ranked sixth among medical schools in the nation, the School takes pride in being an inclusive community of outstanding learners, investigators, clinicians, and staff where interdisciplinary collaboration is embraced and great ideas accelerate translation of fundamental scientific discoveries to improve human health locally and around the globe. Composed of more than 2,600 faculty physicians and researchers, nearly 2,000 students, and more than 6,200 staff, the Duke University School of Medicine along with the Duke University School of Nursing, and Duke University Health System comprise Duke Health, a world-class academic medical center. The Health System encompasses Duke University Hospital, Duke Regional Hospital, Duke Raleigh Hospital, Duke Health Integrated Practice, Duke Primary Care, Duke Home Care and Hospice, Duke Health and Wellness, and multiple affiliations.

POSTDOCTORAL ASSOCIATE

Yeh Lab – Duke Human Vaccine Institute

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Yeh Lab at the Duke Human Vaccine Institute (DHVI) is currently recruiting for a Postdoctoral Associate to join our dynamic and collaborative team. DHVI is an interdisciplinary, interdepartmental institute dedicated to studying the basic and translational science required to understand host-pathogen interactions, which can be translated into vaccines against human diseases. Our team comprises highly interactive investigators with expertise in immunology, molecular biology, virology, microbiology, structural biology, computational biology, and vaccine science.

RESEARCH FOCUS:

Research in the Yeh Lab is centered on three synergistic areas critical to the fundamental design for vaccine development:

1. The biology of germinal center B cell selection, affinity maturation, and memory or ling-live plasma cell differentiation.
2. Comparisons of vaccine parameters to understand their effect on the persistence of immune responses, including, but not limited to, antigen display, valence, route of delivery, and platform.
3. Optimization of vaccine regimens, including prime-boost regimens, and parameters for induction and maintenance of immune responses.

Our work benefits from collaborations with structural biologists, immunologists, and virologists.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Conduct advanced research in the lab's focus areas.
• Design and execute experiments, analyze data, and interpret results.
• Work with samples from small animal models, non-human primates (NHP), and clinical trials.
• Utilize techniques such as molecular biology, flow cytometry, tissue culture, microscopy, and high-throughput NGS sequencing.
• Prepare and present research findings in scientific publications and conferences.
• Collaborate with team members and contribute to the lab's overall research goals.
• Mentor graduate and undergraduate students as needed.

TRAINING ENVIRONMENT:

DHVI Postdoctoral Associates work in concert with Duke faculty and staff in an invigorating research training environment. Our primary scientific mission is to support and train early-stage investigators to be the next generation of scientific leaders, equipped to identify and implement solutions for improving human health worldwide. DHVI functions as a vaccine development biotechnology enterprise embedded within a top university. As a trainee, you will interact with innovative and collaborative investigators and have the opportunity to master state-of-the-art technologies. We are committed to providing an outstanding training environment and research experiences that will enhance your career.

APPLICATION PROCESS:

To be considered for this position, please apply and submit the following materials in your application:

1. A curriculum vitae (CV).
2. Contact information for three references.
3. A cover letter describing your past research, your interest in our work, and how joining the Yeh Lab at DHVI fits within your future career objectives.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS AT THIS LEVEL:

• Ph.D. or M.D. degree with a strong background in molecular genetics, biochemistry, cell biology, or immunology.
• Experience with molecular biology, flow cytometry, tissue culture, microscopy, and high-throughput NGS sequencing.
• Creativity, motivation, and the ability to work independently.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

Duke is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer committed to providing employment opportunity without regard to an individual's age, color, disability, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, or veteran status.

Duke aspires to create a community built on collaboration, innovation, creativity, and belonging. Our collective success depends on the robust exchange of ideas—an exchange that is best when the rich diversity of our perspectives, backgrounds, and experiences flourishes. To achieve this exchange, it is essential that all members of the community feel secure and welcome, that the contributions of all individuals are respected, and that all voices are heard. All members of our community have a responsibility to uphold these values.

Essential Physical Job Functions: Certain jobs at Duke University and Duke University Health System may include essentialjob functions that require specific physical and/or mental abilities. Additional information and provision for requests for reasonable accommodation will be provided by each hiring department.