Research Associate, Vector Design and Early Development - International AIDS Vaccine Initiative : Job Details

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: Research Associate, Vector Design and Early Development

Location: Design and Development Lab in Brooklyn, New York

Reports to: Principal Scientist, Vector Design and Early Development Lab

Position Summary:

IAVI is seeking a highly motivated Research Associate, Vector Design and Early Development who will be a core member of a research team developing vaccine candidates against various infectious diseases by designing, constructing, propagating, purifying, and characterizing viral vectors, which may include periodic participation in vaccine studies that involve animals. In addition, the successful candidate will work in the Early Development Lab (EDL) to assist with production of lead vaccine candidates and cell lines under controlled laboratory conditions that support the transfer of vaccines and/or cell lines to a contract manufacturer.

Key Responsibilities:

* Mammalian cell culture.

* Production of viral vaccine material for use in animal research.

* Production of vaccine seeds produced in compliance with practices suitable for human vaccine manufacturing.

* Conduct analytical assays based on established SOP.

* Assist with international and domestic shipment of biological material.

* Perform laboratory operation duties such as monitoring inventory, ordering supplies, maintaining safe working conditions, and disposal of chemical and biohazardous waste. These duties will be applicable to the lab in which the RA works as well as across the Design and Development Laboratory as assigned.

* Maintain accurate, thorough, and timely research documentation.

* Draft standard operating procedures and batch records as needed.

* Along with other members of the laboratory, the RA must also be able to take responsibility for reliably responding to occasional alarms triggered by malfunctioning freezers or other laboratory equipment that may occur outside of normal business hours.

* Perform other tasks as assigned by the Manager.

Education and Experience:

* Bachelor's degree in biological sciences is required.

* Minimum 1 year of hands-on experience in a virology laboratory is required.

Qualification and skills:

* Experience in mammalian cell culture and aseptic techniques is required.

* Experience in virus production and characterization (infectivity assay, neutralization assay, genetic stability test, Western blot etc) is required.

* Excellent verbal, written, and presentation skills are required.

* Ability to work well in a team environment and respect for diverse colleagues is required.

* Ability to stay organized and prioritize tasks in a fast-paced environment.

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

* Excellent attention to detail is required.

* Experience in a controlled environment (GxP or cleaning room) 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.

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.