Postdoctoral Fellow, Immunology

Ionis • Carlsbad, CA

12d • $65,000 - $87,000 • Onsite

About The Position

Headquartered in Carlsbad, California, and with offices in Boston, Massachusetts, and Dublin, Ireland, Ionis has been at work for more than three decades discovering medical breakthroughs that have redefined life for people with serious diseases. We’re pioneers in RNA-targeted medicines, and our platform continues to revolutionize drug discovery and transform lives for patients with unmet needs. With multiple marketed medicines and a leading pipeline in neurology, cardiology and select areas of high patient needs, we continue to drive innovation in RNA therapies in addition to advancing new approaches in gene editing to provide greater value to patients and are well positioned financially to deliver on our strategic goals. At Ionis, we pride ourselves on cultivating a challenging, motivating and rewarding environment that fosters innovation and scientific excellence. We know that our success is a direct result of the exceptional talents and dedication of our employees. With an unprecedented opportunity to change the course of human health, we look to add diverse individuals, skill sets and perspectives to our exceptional team. We continue to invest time, money and energy into making our onsite, hybrid and remote work environments a place where solid and lasting relationships are built and where our culture and employees can thrive. We’re building on our rich history, and we believe our greatest achievements are ahead of us. If you’re passionate about the opportunity to have meaningful impact on patients in need, we invite you to apply and join us. Experience and contribute to our unique culture while you develop and expand your career! POSTDOCTORAL FELLOW - IMMUNOLOGY SUMMARY: We are seeking a highly motivated and highly productive Postdoctoral Fellow to contribute to advancing targeted RNA-therapeutics delivery to immune cells. This role offers a unique opportunity to gain deep research experience in a fast-paced industry environment while making a meaningful contribution to the development of next-generation RNA medicines. The successful candidate will explore and validate receptor-based delivery strategies on immune cell subsets to enable efficient uptake of diverse RNA-targeted modalities. The project integrates computational profiling, ligand screening, in vitro and in vivo validation strategies to overcome delivery challenges and establish compelling proof-of-concept data. This position provides a rare chance to shape innovative therapeutic approaches, generate patentable and publishable discoveries, and work at the intersection of cutting-edge science and real-world drug development.

Requirements

• Ph.D. in Immunology, Molecular Biology, Cell Biology, or related fields with 0-3 years of postgraduate training
• Familiarity with flow cytometry, including panel design and data analysis
• Experience with cell culture techniques, including primary immune cell isolation and maintenance
• In vivo study experience or willingness to learn
• Experience with molecular biology methods (e.g., RNA analysis, qPCR, siRNA/ASO delivery)
• Strong written and verbal communication skills for publication and presentation
• Required to be full-time onsite at Carlsbad, CA

Nice To Haves

• Strong background in immunology and lymphocyte biology is a plus
• Ability to analyze large datasets (e.g., scRNA-seq, transcriptomics) and interpret receptor expression profiles is a plus
• Excellent problem-solving skills and ability to design experiments independently

Responsibilities

• Identify and prioritize cell-surface receptors relevant to immune-cell biology, applying scientific creativity and critical thinking to advance delivery strategies.
• Validate receptor expression and function using advanced analytical approaches, including flow cytometry, single-cell profiling, and RNA-seq.
• Design and execute in vitro and in vivo studies to evaluate target knockdown, delivery efficiency, and cell-type specificity, exercising sound judgment within established procedures.
• Analyze and interpret complex datasets to guide decision-making, review key technical factors, and shape project strategy.
• Document experimental results and communicate clear, concise findings through regular internal presentations, writing manuscripts for scientific publications , and contributions to posters.
• Collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams and external partners, building alignment around technical decisions and contributing to collective problem-solving.
• Contribute to innovation and intellectual property development through rigorous experimentation and documentation.
• Demonstrate professionalism and uphold the company’s culture, core principles, and collaborative working norms.

Benefits

• Ionis offers an excellent benefits package!
• Full Benefits Link: https://www.ionis.com/careers/working-at-ionis/#:~:text=our employee spotlight-,Benefits,-Employees are rewarded

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree
• Number of Employees: 1,001-5,000 employees