Senior Research Associate, Vector Immunobiology

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

Job Title: Senior Research Associate, Vector Immunobiology

Location: Vaccine Design and Development Laboratory

Position Summary:

IAVI is seeking a highly motivated Senior Research Associate, Vector Immunobiology (SRA) who will be a member of multidisciplinary research teams that are focused on developing and testing new vaccine candidates. IAVI is engaged in developing vaccines for multiple public health threats such as HIV/AIDS, SARS-CoV-2, Lassa and Marburg viruses and other infectious diseases utilizing the vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) vector platform. The successful candidate primarily will work on analyzing the immune responses in pre-clinical samples, working under conditions suitable for containment of infectious agents in vaccines and tissues or blood samples. In addition, this position will be involved in laboratory work required to test these new vaccines using relevant animal models.

Key Responsibilities:

• Process of biological specimens for analysis of immune responses.

Analytical analysis of new vaccines and vaccine formulations using immunologic methods.
Analysis of immune responses by flow cytometry, ELISA, and high throughput multiplexed based assays.
Data analysis and computer database management.
Work under sterile contained conditions for processing tissue and peripheral blood samples that contain potentially infectious agents.
Monitor inventory, order supplies and reagents, maintain safe working environment, dispose of chemical and biohazardous waste, and perform other laboratory operational duties. These duties will be applicable to the lab in which the SRA works as well as across the Design and Development Laboratory as assigned.
Maintain accurate, thorough, and timely research documentation.
Perform other duties as assigned by the Manager.

Education and Work Experience:

• Bachelor's Degree in Biological Sciences, chemistry, or related field is required.

Minimum of 5 years of experience in a lab-based setting is required.
Experience processing biological samples, set-up and execution of flow cytometry, and immunological assays is required.

Qualifications and Skills:

• Strong computer skills are required.

Excellent verbal, written, and presentation skills are required.
The ability to work well in a team-based environment is required.
Excellent attention to detail is required.

• Ability to complete tasks on time and with high quality is required.

Critical thinking skills, with the ability to identify problems and possible solutions, and assess impact on timelines is required.
Ability to work effectively with teams of diverse educational and cultural backgrounds, and maintain a high standard of professional conduct as a representative of IAVI is required.

• Familiarity with virus vector platform (VSV) is highly 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.

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.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities

The contractor will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor's legal duty to furnish information. 41 CFR 60-1.35(c)