Postdoctoral Fellow (Benedict)

Job Summary

A Postdoctoral Fellowship position is available immediately at the La Jolla Institute for Immunology to work with Dr. Chris Benedict, whose lab is interested in studying the innate and adaptive immune response to persistent virus infection, and the strategies viruses use to subvert immune detection. The Benedict lab has a particular interest in cytomegalovirus infection and viral immune evasion strategies targeting the TNF cytokine family.

Successful candidates will join an interdisciplinary group of collaborative researchers who have a broad spectrum of interests related to anti-viral immunity and the development of therapeutic strategies to combat virus-related disease.

For more information see:

1. Profiling human cytomegalovirus-specific T cell responses reveals novel immunogenic open reading frames. PMC8513490
2. Cytomegalovirus evades ILC1 defenses by blocking TRAIL signaling. PMC6675903
3. Cytomegalovirus: shape-shifting the immune system. J. Immunol. 200, 3881-89.  PMC5992493
4. https://www.lji.org/labs/benedict/

The Benedict lab currently has two funded RO1s (AI139749 and AI101423) in addition to other funding sources.

Methods used in this research include utilizing multiple mouse models of viral infection and subsequent isolation of immune cells from various tissues followed by high resolution flow cytometry, microscopic imaging, single-cell RNA sequencing and other state-of-the-art techniques. Discovery and analyses of virus-specific immune cell populations from virally infected people, and translating these findings into potential vaccine approaches is another major focus of the group.  

LJI is an independent, non-profit research institute. LJI was recently ranked as one of the world’s top 5 immunology research institutes and was ranked #1 in a survey of postdoctoral fellows as ‘best places to work’ by The Scientist magazine.

Leveling Requirements

The successful candidate should have a PhD or MD/PhD with a strong background in immunology. Excellent written and verbal communication skills are expected.

How to Apply: Interested individuals should include their curriculum vitae, a cover letter describing why they are interested in this position, and the names of three references. Applications without a cover letter will not be reviewed. Please enclose all documents within a single file attachment.

About La Jolla Institute for Immunology (LJI)

LJI hosts 22 world-renowned faculty and over 70 postdoctoral researchers hailing from 21 different countries. LJI is located in the Science Research Park on the campus of UC San Diego, with easy access to the San Diego life sciences community and all that the area has to offer, and was ranked as one of the best places to work in San Diego by the San Diego Business Journal.

Full-time employment at LJI includes a competitive salary, medical/dental/vision benefits and contributions to a retirement plan (403B).

LJI provides Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) to all employees and applicants regardless of race, national origin, religion, sex, marital status, age, mental or physical disability, medical condition, veteran status, sexual orientation, or pregnancy. This applies to all personnel practices, including recruitment, hiring, training, promotion, compensation, benefits, transfers, educational assistance, and social and recreational.