Post-Doctoral Research Fellow - Antibody Discovery and Engineering

Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center • Seattle, WA

4d

About The Position

Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center’s Corey Lab is seeking a highly motivated Post-Doctoral Research Fellow to join a collaborative team investigating molecular and cellular mechanisms of local control of HSV-2 in genital tissue. The work includes discovery, characterization, and translational development of human monoclonal antibodies; collaboration with structural and computational biologists to develop antibodies with enhanced functional activity; development and validation of serodiagnostic assays; and research into how human antibodies secreted by tissue-resident plasma cells contain herpesviruses. The goal is to translate these discoveries into new approaches to herpesvirus vaccines and immunotherapy.

The fellow will conduct independent research using antibody discovery and engineering methods, computational approaches, functional and binding assays, epitope mapping, passive immunization in animal models, and tissue organoids. The research aims to advance understanding of in-tissue HSV control and develop diagnostic and immunotherapeutic approaches for persistent viral infection. The role involves learning new technologies and collaborating closely with structural and computational biologists, biostatisticians, and other colleagues. Fred Hutch offers postdoctoral fellows a supportive, collaborative research environment and mentoring and career-development opportunities through the Student/Postdoc Advisory Committee and Office of Scientific Career Development.

Requirements

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

Nice To Haves

• Experience in antibody discovery and engineering, including computational approaches.
• Experience in assay development and validation.
• Experience with animal and/or organoid models.
• Experience in B-cell biology.
• Experience with single-cell RNA sequencing.
• Experience with spatial transcriptomics.
• Experience with phylogenetic analysis of immunoglobulin repertoires, including relevant R and Python packages.
• Experience with machine-learning tools and agentic AI.

Responsibilities

• Conduct research on molecular and cellular mechanisms of local HSV-2 control in genital tissue.
• Discover, characterize, and support translational development of human monoclonal antibodies.
• Use computational approaches to improve antibody function, in collaboration with structural and computational biologists.
• Develop and apply functional and binding antibody assays, including development and validation of serodiagnostic assays.
• Perform epitope mapping and passive immunization studies in animal models and tissue organoids.
• Investigate mechanisms of herpesvirus containment by human antibodies secreted by tissue-resident plasma cells.
• Pursue independent research and learn new technologies.
• Collaborate closely with structural and computational biologists, biostatisticians, and other colleagues.

Benefits

• Medical and vision coverage
• Dental coverage
• Flexible spending accounts
• Life insurance
• Disability coverage
• Retirement benefits
• 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)
• Paid parental leave (up to 4 weeks)
• Potential relocation assistance

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree