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 2,500 faculty physicians and researchers, more than 1,300 students, and more than 6,000 staff, the Duke University School of Medicine along with the Duke University School of Nursing, Duke University Health System and the Private Diagnostic Clinic (PDC) comprise Duke Health. a world-class academic medical center. The Health System encompasses Duke University Hospital, Duke Regional Hospital, Duke Raleigh Hospital, Duke Primary Care, Duke Home and Hospice, Duke Health and Wellness, and multiple affiliations.

Postdoctoral Associate

Alam Lab – Duke Human Vaccine Institute

The Alam Lab at the Duke Human Vaccine Institute (DHVI) is recruiting for a Postdoctoral Associate. DHVI is an interdisciplinary, interdepartmental institute dedicated to the study of basic and translational science required to understand host-pathogen interactions that can be translated to vaccines against human diseases. We are a team of highly interactive investigators that have expertise in immunology, molecular biology, virology, microbiology, structural biology, computational biology, and vaccine science.

The primary duties for this position are to perform biophysical and biochemical characterization of antigen binding to B cell receptor (BCR) and perform structural studies of antigen-BCR interactions. Job responsibilities include development of B cell lines, flow cytometric and confocal microscopy analyses of antigen binding-induced signaling and activation of B cell. Biophysical and Flow cytometric analysis of B cell responses in animal models following immunization with down-selected antigens.  Purify BCR complex proteins from cell lines and work with the structural biology team members for Cryo-EM analysis of BCR structures. Write and publish manuscripts describing results from the above studies.  

At DHVI our postdoctoral associates work in concert with Duke faculty and staff in an invigorating research training environment. One of our primary scientific missions 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. We are committed to providing an outstanding training environment and research experiences that will enhance your career and provide an avenue to incorporate your education, expertise, initiative and dedication to the success of the studies.

The successful candidate will have a Ph.D. degree, with a strong background in biochemistry and structural and cellular immunobiology. Experience with basic molecular biology, protein expression, purification, and immunology are recommended. The ideal candidate will be creative, motivated, and have the ability to work independently, as well as part of a team.

The application materials should include a CV, the contact information for 3 references, and a cover letter describing in one paragraph your past research, why you are interested in our work, and how joining the Alam lab at DHVI fits within your future career objectives.  We will contact you if we are interested in exploring your application in more detail.

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