Post-Doctoral Research Fellow - Antibody Discovery and Engineering

Overview

Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center is an independent, nonprofit organization providing adult cancer treatment and groundbreaking research focused on cancer and infectious diseases. Based in Seattle, Fred Hutch is the only National Cancer Institute-designated cancer center in Washington.

 

With a track record of global leadership in bone marrow transplantation, HIV/AIDS prevention, immunotherapy and COVID-19 vaccines, Fred Hutch has earned a reputation as one of the world’s leading cancer, infectious disease and biomedical research centers. Fred Hutch operates eight clinical care sites that provide medical oncology, infusion, radiation, proton therapy and related services, and network affiliations with hospitals in five states. Together, our fully integrated research and clinical care teams seek to discover new cures to the world’s deadliest diseases and make life beyond cancer a reality.

 

At Fred Hutch we value collaboration, compassion, determination, excellence, innovation, integrity and respect. Our mission is directly tied to the humanity, dignity and inherent value of each employee, patient, community member and supporter. Our commitment to learning across our differences and similarities make us stronger. We seek employees who bring different and innovative ways of seeing the world and solving problems.

 

The Corey Lab is seeking a highly motivated Post-Doctoral Research Fellow to work with an interactive collaborative team of scientists lead by Dr. Sholukh and investigating molecular and cellular mechanisms of local control of HSV-2 in genital tissue using various cutting-edge technologies. The key projects include discovery, characterization and translational development of human monoclonal antibodies; collaboration with structural and computational biologist to develop antibodies with improved and enhanced functional activities, development and validation of novel serodiagnostic assays, and primary research of molecular mechanisms of herpesvirus containment by human antibodies secreted by tissue-resident plasma cells. Our mission is to translate these discoveries into new approaches to herpes virus vaccine and immunotherapy development.

 

Effective January 1, 2027,  Fred Hutch Post Doctoral Scholars will transition from overtime exempt to non-exempt status.

Responsibilities

The successful applicant will utilize various methods related antibody discovery and engineering including computational approaches to enhance antibody functions, develop and apply different functional and binding antibody assays, epitope mapping, passive immunization in animal models and tissue organoids aiming to understand fundamental immunologic mechanisms of in-tissue HSV control and to develop new diagnostic and immunotherapeutic approaches for persistent viral infection.

 

The position will require independent research, to be eager to learn new technologies, and the ability to collaborate closely with structural and computational biologists, biostatisticians and other colleagues.

 

Fred Hutch has more than 200 postdoctoral fellows working in labs across all five research divisions. We provide postdocs with the opportunity to work on the cutting edge of biomedical research in a supportive, collaborative environment with faculty and staff who are dedicated to helping their trainees achieve their career goals. In addition, both the Student/Postdoc Advisory Committee and the Office of Scientific Career Development offer diverse mentoring and career development opportunities.

Qualifications

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• MD and/or PhD in Biology, Immunology, Biochemistry, Virology or another relevant discipline.
• Track record of productive research.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills are essential.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Experience in antibody discovery and engineering including computational approaches, assay development and validation, animal and/or organoid models is strongly desired.
• Experience in one or more of the following will be a plus: B-cell biology, single-cell RNA sequencing, spatial transcriptomics, phylogenetic analysis of IR repertoire including relevant R and Python packages, machine learning tools and agentic AI.

The annual base salary range for this position is from $80,172 to $95,014, and pay offered will be based on experience and qualifications.

 

Effective January 1, 2027,  Fred Hutch Post Doctoral Scholars will transition from overtime exempt to non-exempt status.

This position may be eligible for relocation assistance.

 

Although Fred Hutch is not sponsoring most H-1B visas at this time, candidates who already hold an H-1B sponsored by another organization and are currently in the U.S. may be eligible for this position.Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center offers employees a comprehensive benefits package designed to enhance health, well-being, and financial security. Benefits include medical/vision, dental, flexible spending accounts, life, disability, retirement, family life support, employee assistance program, onsite health clinic, income-based child care subsidy, tuition reimbursement, paid vacation (22 days per year), paid sick leave (up to 30 calendar days per occurrence of a qualifying reason), paid holidays (13 days per year), and paid parental leave (up to 4 weeks).

 

Additional Information

We are proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) and Vietnam Era Veterans Readjustment Assistance Act (VEVRAA) Employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, ancestry, national origin, sex, age, disability (physical or mental), marital or veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity, political ideology, or membership in any other legally protected class. We desire priority referrals of protected veterans. If due to a disability you need assistance/and or a reasonable accommodation during the application or recruiting process, please send a request to Human Resources at [email protected] or by calling 206-667-4700.