Position Description:

Title: Research Associate I Location: La Jolla, CA

Position Summary:

Thecandidate will participate in the execution and interpretation of experiments related to projects focused on the characterization of neutralizing antibodiesand antibody responses to HIV-1 infection, mechanisms of neutralization and antibody-mediated protection.

Minimumqualifications include M.S. or B.S. degree in cell biology or related field. Any appropriate combination of education, certifications, and/or relevant workexperience will be considered.

Key Responsibilities:

• Molecular biology including, but not limited to:

o Design and maintenance of different vector constructs

o Performing 96 well RT-PCR and PCR reactions

o Perform site-directed mutagenesis

o Different cloning techniques (Gibson, gateway, etc)

o Giga/maxi/mini prep of bacterial cultures

• Protein production and purification

o Mammalian cell transfection and purification by FPLC

o Characterization of proteins for stability and antigenicity

• Flow cytometry

o Experience with an ARIA, Fusion, or LSR flow cytometers

o Working knowledge of fluorophores and compensation

• Cell cultures

o Processing, freezing, thawing cell cultures

o Separation of PBMCs by ficoll gradient

o Culturing of different mammalian cell lines

• Organize effectively and discuss data
• Ability to multitask different techniques in parallel

Education, Experience and Skills:

• Candidate must have a B.S. in Biological Sciences or related field and minimum 2 years experience in a research setting or a M.S. degree with minimum of 1 year experience in a research setting 
• Experience in mammalian tissue culture, cell-based reporter assays, molecular techniques such as site-directed mutagenesis and cloning Planning and problem solving skills
• Strong analytical, writing and communication in English
• Team player with ability to work independently

Leadershipand Communication:

· Receptiveto and takes positive action on feedback, recommendations and requests;

· Listensactively and communicates effectively with others;

· Clearly articulates viewpoints and respectsothers’ ideas;

· Takesproactive steps to collaborate with members from other teams/departments;

· Strives forexcellence and seeks solutions to system/process failures;

· Fulfillscommitments; and is accountable for outcomes.

· Missionoriented and self-motivated

IAVICore Values:

Dedicationto the Mission: We arecommitted to the development of safe, effective, accessible, preventive HIVvaccines for use throughout the world to achieve a world without AIDS

InnovativeEvolution: We are committed to solving complex problems in creative andinnovative ways, learning from our mistakes and successes and never giving up

Integrity: We are committedto meeting the highest ethical and professional standards in everything we doand to taking responsibility for our actions to earn respect

Collaboration: We arecommitted to embracing diversity, the power of glocal teamwork and thebelief that by working as one we can make a difference

The Organization:

TheInternational AIDS Vaccine Initiative (IAVI) is a nonprofit scientificorganization whose mission is to develop vaccines and other biomedicalinnovations that prevent HIV infection. Since its founding in 1996, IAVI hasprovided scientific, research and development, and policy leadership to addressthe needs of communities and key populations at risk for HIV infection aroundthe world. IAVI works with more than 100 academic, industry, government, civilsociety, clinical, and community partners in more than 25 countries. IAVI iscommitted to supporting the broad field of HIV vaccine research and tofostering collaborations that accelerate the development and availability ofnew prevention tools. In pursuit of our goals, we work to catalyze and supportnovel partnership models that engage partners from both the public and privatesectors across the product development continuum.

IAVI’sglobal reach, including its clinical research network in five countries insub-Saharan Africa and in India, has allowed IAVI to make fundamentalcontributions to understanding of the epidemiology, transmission, naturalhistory, virology, and immunology of HIV infection. This work played a key rolein facilitating the structure-based design of promising HIV vaccine candidatesas well as the discovery of “broadly neutralizing antibodies” that are nowbeing advanced as promising approaches for HIV prevention. IAVI’s integratedcapabilities in vaccine discovery, development, and clinical research takeadvantage of biopharmaceutical industry expertise to accelerate the developmentand testing of novel HIV vaccine candidates.

In addition to its core HIV vaccine effort,IAVI is working to amplify its global health impact by working with partners toaddress other urgent unmet public health needs – such as vaccines for otherinfectious diseases (e.g., Tuberculosis, other emerging infectious diseases,such as Lassa Fever Virus, etc.) or other global health challenges, where ourexisting technologies, assets, and experience can add unique value.