Recent doctoral graduates (PhD, DVM and/or MD) with the background in immunology, virology, molecular biology, infectious diseases, animal science, or veterinary medicine are invited to join a highly productive research team to study viral pathogenesis and vaccine development for SARS-CoV-2 and influenza viruses. The group’s main research interests include but are not limited to 1) identify the role of virulence determinants in virus replication and inflammation; 2) elucidate the contribution of host factors in infection and immunity; 3) characterize antibodies in human and animal sera elicited by natural infection or vaccination and correlate their functionalities with protection against live virus challenges in relevant animal models such as mouse and ferret. See the list of the group’s publications for more details (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/myncbi/1DE7b0Ygqcj59/bibliography/public/).

Selected applicant is expected to work in the BSL3 laboratory with trainings provided. Prior hands-on experience in small animal models, cellular immunity and flow cytometry is highly desired. Successful candidate will also get trained on high-throughput human and animal serology studies for WHO influenza vaccine strain selection and SARS-CoV-2 antibody reference standard evaluation.

This postdoctoral research fellowship is appointed via Oak Ridge Institute For Science and Education (see https://orise.orau.gov/fda/).  Only recent graduate with the highest degree awarded within 5 years of the appointment start date (before 9/30/2023) can apply. Applicants must be either US citizens, permanent residents (Green Card holders) or foreign nationals residing in US for at least 36 months out of the past 60 months.