Postdoctoral Fellow (Antibody Engineering)

The Geneva Foundation • Silver Spring, MD

7d

About The Position

The Postdoctoral Fellow/Consultant will support the Principal Investigator, Co-Investigators, and research staff in developing and evaluating next-generation prophylactics. The role involves proof-of-concept studies focused on designing, expressing, purifying, and characterizing antibodies, single-chain variable fragments (scFvs), and bispecific scFvs (BS-scFvs) targeting key vaccine candidates.

The position combines computational protein design, structural biology, artificial intelligence, translational vaccinology, and hands-on wet-laboratory research. The fellow will also support overall project execution, including enrollment targets when applicable, protocol adherence, monitoring visits, regulatory and administrative requirements, data management, and project close-out. The role collaborates closely with investigators and research staff to achieve scientific, operational, and regulatory objectives.

Requirements

• Ph.D. in Biochemistry, Biophysics, Molecular Biology, Bioengineering, or a closely related scientific discipline.
• Expertise in recombinant protein expression using mammalian and bacterial systems.
• Extensive experience in protein purification, including IMAC, SEC, and IEX, and quality control, including SDS-PAGE, Western blot, and HPLC.
• Familiarity with structural and biophysical characterization techniques, particularly BLI/SPR.
• Direct experience using computational protein engineering suites.
• Excellent communication skills, meticulous record-keeping, and ability to work independently in a multidisciplinary, collaborative team environment.
• Competence in oral and written communication.
• Organization, attention to detail, and a positive, friendly, and professional demeanor.
• Flexibility with changing priorities and availability to interact with employees, clients, and sponsors at all levels.
• Ability to exercise independent judgment in a fast-paced, high-pressure environment with strict deadlines and manage multiple projects.
• Intermediate-level experience with Excel and other Microsoft Office software.
• Must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident, or otherwise authorized to work in the United States without employer sponsorship.

Nice To Haves

• One to two years of medical research project management experience, strongly desired and preferably with the Department of Defense.
• Knowledge of the military system.

Responsibilities

• Use machine-learning and AI platforms, including AlphaFold3, RFdiffusion, ThermoMPNN, Rosetta, PROSS, PRoscan, and PyMOL, for computational antibody and protein design.
• Express proteins using mammalian, Escherichia coli, or alternative expression systems.
• Purify proteins using chromatography platforms, including FPLC, affinity, and size-exclusion chromatography.
• Evaluate protein purity, yield, and structural integrity.
• Conduct ELISA and Biolayer Interferometry to benchmark candidate molecules.
• Analyze, interpret, and integrate biochemical and biophysical datasets with downstream biological assay results generated by partners.
• Draft technical updates and comprehensive final reports for the project sponsor.
• Collaborate with and assist the Principal Investigator, Co-Investigators, and research team in conducting the study.
• Contribute to drafting and submitting abstracts, manuscripts, and reports for dissemination.
• Prepare research progress reports as required.
• Analyze data and write up results.
• Present complex information effectively to a range of audiences.
• Provide data management assistance and project close-out support.
• Support project execution, including enrollment targets when applicable, protocol adherence, monitoring visits, and regulatory and administrative requirements.

What This Job Offers

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