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Department Overview

The Vaccine and Gene Therapy Institute (VGTI) at Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU) has assembled a multidisciplinary team of scientists to respond to serious viral disease threats, including AIDS, chronic viral infection-associated diseases, newly emerging viral diseases and infectious diseases of the elderly. Our programs are intended to span the continuum between basic and clinical science, in which discoveries are rapidly advanced from the level of molecular and cellular biology through animal models and ultimately into clinical testing. The development of this unique program in immunology and virology provides an important training opportunity for graduate students and postdoctoral fellows at OHSU. This is why an important part of our mission is the training of young scientists in newer academic disciplines emerging at the Vaccine and Gene Therapy Institute.

Function/Duties of Position

The DeFilippis Laboratory investigates innate immunity and vaccinology with a focus on the cGAS-STING pathway and inclusive mechanisms that can be exploited to improve vaccine and immune-based technologies.

This work combines cutting-edge molecular and multi-omics platforms with traditional immunology to understand the molecular and cellular bases of adaptive immune responses. We utilize in vitro as well as several mouse and non-human primate models of highly relevant viral diseases to additionally explore platforms and molecules designed to enhance and modulate protective immunity.

This position includes initially-supervised design of experiments and/or research procedures, with increasing independence over time, as well as the direct training and indirect supervision of junior researchers. Successful individuals will be/become proficient in research techniques such as transcriptomics, antibody-based methods, flow cytometry, fluorescent imaging, experimental design, and data analysis. Additionally, this individual will support in vivo non-human primate studies, which may include coordinating with collaborators, scheduling procedures, collecting specimens, and processing tissue samples. Expectations include: 1. performance of routine procedures as well as development of novel techniques in which innovation and problem solving are required, 2. collection, analysis, and visualization of data, 3. establishing SOPs, 4. Increasing independence, including indirect management of junior researchers, and 5. reporting of work performed, in written form and as oral presentations in both small-group and large-group settings.

Prior experience with animal handling, molecular virology, nucleic acid analysis, protein analysis, cell signaling, and antigen-directed immune characterization is desired. A background in virology, innate immunity, and immunology is strongly preferred. Diverse opportunities exist for technical, professional, and leadership development. Please note that this position is at OHSU's West Campus (Beaverton).

Required Qualifications

• Doctoral degree in relevant field and 5+ years of relevant post-doctoral work experience
• Comprehensive experience at the scientist level in all aspects of standard laboratory operations and scientific programs
• Possess energy and enthusiasm to independently progress on multiple research projects simultaneously, including prioritizing and executing multiple tasks each day
• Exemplify solid leadership to support and assist team members, including mentoring and receiving feedback from the team, as well as earning the trust of staff
• Excellent written and verbal communication, analytical, and organizational skills
• Personify a collaborative nature in completing projects and resolving problems

• Must be proficient with computers running Apple and Windows/PC applications (e.g. MS Word, Excel, Access, and PowerPoint).

Preferred Qualifications

• Doctoral/postdoctoral research experience in vaccinology and virology.
• Previous experience or education in innate immunity research.
• Prior experience working with non-human primates and/or non-human primate derived specimens.
• Knowledge of / experience with vaccine-based models.

Additional Details

Submit a resume and cover letter to be considered for this position.

All are welcome