The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), one of the largest institutes of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and part of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), conducts and supports a global program of research to better understand, treat, and ultimately prevent infectious, immunologic, and allergic diseases.

The Immunobiology and Molecular Virology Section in the Laboratory of Virology within NIAID is recruiting for a postdoctoral intramural research training award (IRTA) fellowship position on vaccine development of highly pathogenic, emerging viruses. The position is located at NIAID’s Rocky Mountain Laboratories (RML) in Hamilton, Montana.

The Immunobiology and Molecular Virology Section studies high- and maximum-containment RNA viruses that cause hemorrhagic disease, including filoviruses and influenza A virus. The section is interested in the pathogenesis of highly pathogenic viruses on every level, from host to molecule to countermeasures. The laboratory uses an experimental approach to increase our understanding of the disease induced by these viruses by developing animal disease models and, ultimately, design countermeasures and perform preclinical efficacy studies. Fundamental experimental approaches of the laboratory include molecular and cell-based techniques, including in a variety of animal models. Studies are carried out in biosafety level (BSL)-2, BSL-3, and BSL-4 laboratories.

The section considers diversity and inclusion a pillar of the team’s culture. See more information about the Immunobiology and Molecular Virology Section. Successful applicants will be part of a diverse and multidisciplinary team focused on experimental approaches to relevant questions in the pathogenesis and vaccine development of highly pathogenic viruses. The project will specifically focus on the comparative analysis of filovirus vaccines, including the development of immunity and protective efficacy. The project will rely on immunologic approaches to decipher vaccine immunogenicity and protective efficacy in animal models.

Selected publications of the Immunobiology and Molecular Virology Section’s recent research are as follows:

• Single-dose vaccine protects cynomolgus macaques from Taï Forest virus infection. Emerg Microbes & Inf. 2023 Jul 20:2239950.

• Rapid protection of nonhuman primates against Marburg virus disease using a single low-dose VSV-based vaccine. eBioMed. 2023 Feb 10;89:104463.

• Species-specific immunogenicity and protective efficacy of a VSV-based Sudan virus vaccine: a challenge study in macaques. The Lancet Microbe. 2023 Feb 2:S2666-5247(23)00001-0.

Pay and Benefits

Trainees will receive health insurance and a stipend commensurate with experience starting at $67,200 per year. With one of the largest postdoc populations in the nation, NIH consists of more than 1,200 laboratories/research projects. The NIH Postdoctoral IRTA Fellowship program provides recent doctoral degree recipients the opportunity to enhance their research skills in the resource-rich NIH environment.

Situated in the Bitterroot Valley of southwestern Montana, with easy access to some of the finest outdoor recreational opportunities in North America, RML is an NIAID campus with excellent flow cytometry, genomic, cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM), high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), and veterinary core support that enables scientists to completely focus on their research. See more information about RML.

To Apply

Interested candidates should email the following to Kay Menk, Laboratory Operations Specialist, Laboratory of Virology, Rocky Mountain Laboratories, NIAID, NIH, at menkk@niaid.nih.gov no later than March 31, 2024:

• Curriculum vitae

• Letter expressing career goals and interests

• Three letters of reference with contact information

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HHS, NIH, and NIAID are equal opportunity employers dedicated to equity, diversity, inclusion and accessibility.