Job Details

Post Doctoral Fellow - Molecular Virology/HIV Virology

Job ID: req1471
Employee Type: exempt full-time
Facility: Frederick: Ft Detrick
Location: PO Box B, Frederick, MD 21702 USA

The Frederick National Laboratory is a Federally Funded Research and Development Center (FFRDC) sponsored by the National Cancer Institute (NCI) and operated by Leidos Biomedical Research, Inc.  The lab addresses some of the most urgent and intractable problems in the biomedical sciences in cancer and AIDS, drug development and first-in-human clinical trials, applications of nanotechnology in medicine, and rapid response to emerging threats of infectious diseases.

Our core values of accountability, compassion, collaboration, dedication, integrity, and versatility serve as a guidepost for how we do our work every day in serving the public’s interest.  

 Position Overview:

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

The Laboratory of Human Retrovirology and Immunoinformatics (LHRI), Applied/ Developmental Directorate, has investigated mechanism of multiple-class drug resistant (MDR) in HIV infection. We have produced recombinant MDR from patients infected with MDR and characterized pathogenesis and innate immune response in of MDR infection. Goals of the studies are to define salvage therapies for each patient and to develop novel anti-viral therapy using either chemical compounds (nucleotide, peptide or others) or immune regulatory proteins (cytokines or other proteins). In the course of study, LHRI has discovered novel MDR mutations, and reported Interleukin-27 and some novel none-coding RNAs as novel anti-viral materials. In this position, candidates will investigate mechanism(s) of potential anti-viral drugs/chemical compounds in anti-HIV and off-target effect on host cell responses to elucidate a potent side effect.

KEY ROLES/RESPONSIBILITIES

The Postdoctoral Fellow will be involved in:

• Production of replication competent recombinant virus encoding multiple class drug resistance
• Characterization of molecular mechanism of anti-viral effect using multiples techniques (qPCR, WB, NGS, IP, 2D-DIGE, confocal microscope, AMINIS, FPLC, transfection/transduction, knockdown either siRNA or CRISPR, others)
• Developing a gene therapy for MDR infection or other virus infection using CRISPR
• Publishing paper(s) and presenting the findings in international or domestic scientific conference(s)

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS

• Possession of a Doctorate degree from an accredited college or university according to the Council for Higher Education Accreditation. (Additional qualifying experience may be substituted for the required education). Foreign degrees must be evaluated for U.S. equivalency
• No Experience required with a Doctorate degree
• Must be able to obtain and maintain a security clearance.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• General molecular biology techniques (RNA extraction, RT-PCR, genomic DNA isolation, construction of expression plasmids), tissue culture (primary human cells: T cells and macrophages, and cell lines ), transfection, western blotting, Immunol precipitation (pull down) assay, native or recombinant protein isolation using FPLC
• Handling of replication competent HIV virus and lentivirus
• Knowledge of  molecular virology or  HIV virology
• Statistical analysis skills

JOB HAZARDS

• This position is subject to working with or have potential for exposure to infectious material, requiring medical clearance and immunizations

Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE) | Minority/Female/Disabled/Veteran (M/F/D/V) | Drug Free Workplace (DFW)

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