Research Associate

As an organization whose mission is to translate science into global public health impact , working on vaccines and therapeutics, IAVI has a vaccine policy which states that subject to applicable law, we require all U.S. and Puerto Rico based employees to be vaccinated for COVID-19, unless they have an approved medical or religious exemption or accommodation. We are committed to supporting our employees during this process as we work to ensure a safe and healthy work environment.

Position Description

Position Summary:

The Research Associate I supports a team focused on the discovery and characterization of neutralizing antibodies and humoral responses to HIV infection and immunization. This position works closely with Research and Postdoctoral Associates to assess B cell responses to HIV vaccine candidates in animal models, as well as prepare primary cell samples for flow cytometry, sequencing libraries, and perform antibody characterization assays such as ELISA and neutralization assays. In addition, the Research Associate supports broader lab functions such as the preparation of common and/or batch lab reagents, such as buffers, virus, antibody, and antigens.

Key Responsibilities:

• Prepare buffers and cell culture media
• Prepare, extract, and purify DNA/RNA/plasmids from bacterial cultures and other samples
• Maintain and work with mammalian cell cultures and primary cells
• Prepare HIV pseudotyped virus stocks in BSL-2 conditions
• Produce, purify, and quality check proteins and monoclonal antibodies
• Conduct ELISA and virus neutralization assays
• Perform PCR reactions in applications such as BCR sequencing, cloning, and site directed mutagenesis
• Update lab standard operating procedures as needed
• Perform any other duties as assigned by the Manager

Education and Experience:

• A Bachelor’s degree in Cell Biology or related field is required
• Minimum 1 year of laboratory work experience involving molecular biology (e.g., bacterial transformation, RNA/DNA purification, PCR, ELISAs, etc.) is required.
• Minimum 1 year of biochemistry (e.g., protein expression and purification, FPLC, immunoprecipitation), or cellular Biology and virology (e.g., flow cytometry, mammalian cell culture, virus production) experience is highly desirable

Qualifications and Skills: 

• Ability to meet deadlines in a fast-paced, quickly changing environment is required
• Ability to prioritize and organize a daily workload is required
• Ability to work independently as well as collaboratively as a team member is required
• Ability to troubleshoot and address technical hurdles is required
• Ability to effectively organize data is required
• Strong verbal and written communication skills is required
• Proficiency with MS Office suite, especially Excel, is required
• Strong work ethic and interpersonal skills is required

• Cultural sensitivity and respect for diverse colleagues is required

• Experience conducting protein expression and purification, FPLC, immunoprecipitation, flow cytometry, mammalian cell culture, or virus production is highly desirable

• Willingness to work with laboratory mice is desirable

Organizational Overview:

IAVI is a nonprofit scientific research organization dedicated to addressing urgent, unmet global health challenges including HIV and tuberculosis. Our mission is to translate scientific discoveries into affordable, globally accessible public health solutions. Through scientific and clinical research in Africa, India, Europe, and the U.S., IAVI is pioneering the development of biomedical innovations designed for broad global access. We develop vaccines and antibodies in and for the developing world and seek to accelerate their introduction in low-income countries. IAVI programs and partnerships are grounded in the regions of the world where the disease burden is the greatest, and our approach emphasizes sustainability. Our network of clinical research center partners in Africa and India helps strengthen in-country research capacity and supports the training and education of the next generation of scientists. The global impact of our science includes fundamental contributions to understanding the biology of HIV infection, which IAVI and others are applying toward advancing vaccine science and immunology. IAVI accelerates scientific discovery and development by fostering unique collaborations among academia, industry, local communities, governments, and funders to explore new and better ways to address public health threats that disproportionately affect people living in poverty. Our global reach, including a clinical research network in five countries in sub-Saharan Africa and in India, has allowed us to make fundamental contributions to understanding the epidemiology, transmission, virology, and immunology of HIV. This work played a key role in facilitating the design of promising HIV vaccine candidates, as well as the discovery of broadly neutralizing antibodies that are now being advanced as promising approaches for HIV prevention. Our integrated capabilities in vaccine and antibody discovery, development, and clinical research take advantage of bio-pharmaceutical industry expertise to accelerate the development and testing of prevention methods for HIV and other diseases. Through the Product Development Center, we support external researchers with technical and scientific expertise to accelerate the development of their own products. 

About the NAC:

IAVI’s Neutralizing Antibody Center (NAC) was established in 2002 at Scripps Research in La Jolla, CA, and today, is a leading source of innovation in the study of broadly neutralizing antibodies (bnAbs) and the design of immunogens to elicit these antibodies through vaccination. The NAC brings together leading investigators — including structural and computational biologists, immunologists, protein chemists, and glycobiologists — from institutions worldwide.

IAVI CORE VALUES:

• Dedication to the Mission: We are committed to the translation of scientific discoveries into affordable, globally accessible public health solutions. 
• Innovative Evolution: We are committed to solving complex problems in creative and innovative ways, learning from our mistakes and successes and never giving up 
• Integrity: We are committed to meeting the highest ethical and professional standards in everything we do and to taking responsibility for our actions to earn respect 
• Collaboration: We are committed to embracing diversity, the power of global teamwork and the belief that by working as one we can make a difference

Disclaimer: Nothing in this job description restricts management's right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time. The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by individuals assigned to this position. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities and skills required of personnel so classified. This document does not create an employment contract, implied or otherwise, other than an “at-will” relationship. IAVI is an equal opportunity employer and applicants will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran or disability status. 

IAVI IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER actively committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive global organization. IAVI believes that diversity and inclusion among our teammates is critical, and we seek to recruit, develop and retain the most talented people from a representative candidate pool. At IAVI, we celebrate the spectrum of colleagues’ experiences and believe that dedication to our mission above all is essential to our success as a scientific global non-profit. IAVI upholds these principles through IAVI’s Global Diversity and Inclusion Committee.   

IAVI has zero tolerance for discrimination or harassment on the basis of race, color, ethnicity, caste, national origin, home language, ancestry, religion, marital or civil partnership status, age, physical or mental disability, HIV status and any other medical condition, genetic information, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, and veteran status, in addition to any other status protected under the law in any of our locations worldwide.