Postdoctoral Positions in Immunology and Vaccine Development. Center for Vaccine Development and Global Health (CVD), University of Maryland School of Medicine. Available immediately.

The CVD involves scientists and physicians working in all phases of vaccine development. The CVD is a highly interactive environment that has earned an international reputation for genetically engineering and testing vaccines against a wide variety of enteric and other infections, including malaria, COVID-19 and influenza. Based in the School of Medicine at the University of Maryland, Baltimore, the CVD was established in the 70's as one of the first facilities to evaluate vaccines in community volunteers, both nationally and in developing nations. It is one of only a handful of vaccine centers in the world engaged in the full range of vaccinology: from basic science through vaccine development, immunological studies, clinical evaluation and field studies.

We are seeking postdoctoral fellows who will participate in immunological studies directed at understanding immune responses and uncovering immunological correlates of protection following immunization and infection in humans with the long-term goal of accelerating the development of novel vaccines. Studies will include exploration of the mechanisms operative in the generation of systemic and mucosal immunity in children, young adults and the elderly and their relationship to the gut microbiota. These studies will involve participants immunized with licensed or investigational attenuated and subunit vaccines, as well as volunteers challenged with wild-type organisms. Studies will involve the use of advanced technologies and instrumentation such as high-parameter flow cytometry and mass cytometry (50+ parameters/cell) with a focus on complex data analyses, as well as the performance of a variety of molecular biology and immunological techniques depending on the research questions being addressed. These include, among others, functional assays (e.g., cell purification, proliferation, cytotoxic T cell activity, Elispot, regulatory T cell activity, identification of T cell epitopes, B cell maturation and function), multiplexed cytokines/chemokines/biomarker determinations, bulk transcriptomics on heterogeneous populations and sorted cell subsets, single cell transcriptomics (scRNA-seq), CITE-seq, scTCR-seq, scBCR-seq, epigenetic landscape determinations, and role of microRNAs (miRNA) in the regulation of immunity.

Qualifications. The successful candidates should have a Ph.D. in Microbiology/Immunology and/or M.D. degree, experience in the study of immunological mechanisms, a strong publication track record, be highly motivated, have outstanding organizational skills and great attention to detail, high scientific integrity and rigor, excellent written and oral communication skills and hold a valid VISA to work in the US. A strong background in molecular biology, bioinformatics and systems biology analyses, as well as experience in flow and mass cytometry and other immunological techniques is highly desirable. The CVD is a nurturing environment that focuses on training and supporting post-doctoral fellows in their path towards independence. Post-doctoral fellowships are initially for one year, but they may be renewed annually based on progress for up to a maximum of 5 years.

Please send curriculum vitae, a brief outline of relevant research experience and interests and the names of three references via e-mail to Marcelo B. Sztein M.D., Professor of Pediatrics; Associate Director for Basic and Translational Research, Chief, Cellular Immunology Section, CVD, and Director of the University of Maryland Flow Cytometry and Mass Cytometry Core Facility; at msztein@som.umaryland.edu. Further information about the CVD can be found at: http://medschool.umaryland.edu/CVD/. The UM is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer.