Postdoctoral Scholar - Rutishauser Lab in Genome engineering to improve HIV adoptive T cell therapies

Description

The Rutishauser Lab in the Department of Medicine, Division of Experimental Medicine at UCSF seeks a highly motivated candidate with a PhD or MD/PhD and a background in Immunology to lead funded genome engineering projects aimed at improving adoptive T cell-based therapies to control HIV in the absence of antiretroviral therapy (see here and here). Our laboratory studies the regulation of HIV-specific T cell function and exhaustion in natural infection and after therapeutic intervention in people. The projects have the broad goal of applying genome engineering advances being made in cancer immunotherapy to the context of HIV. They will build upon our existing collaborations with other investigators at UCSF/the Gladstone-UCSF Institute for Genomic Immunology (with opportunities for joint mentorship) and our ongoing studies within the UM1-funded DARE Martin Delaney HIV Cure collaboratory.

As a new lab, we are keen to find candidates who will foster a creative, inclusive, and collaborative environment. The lab has a strong focus on mentorship and individual career development. Members of underrepresented minority groups and women are strongly encouraged to apply.

Responsibilities

You will lead funded genome engineering projects to iteratively test different approaches to improving the efficacy of anti-HIV adoptive T cell therapies aimed at curing HIV using a variety of genome editing techniques in human primary T cells. These studies will apply methods in genome editing, viral/cell culture, and approaches for assessing T cell transcriptional/epigenetic state as well as function. This is a position with full salary support available for 3 years with opportunities and flexibility for the postdoctoral fellow to grow their own research interests alongside the funded projects, if desired.

Qualifications/Preferred Skillsets

Requirements:

  • PhD or MD/PhD in immunology or microbiology, or related field
  • Experience in cell culture techniques
  • Exceptional organization skills and attention to detail
  • Good interpersonal skills
  • Strong oral and written communication skills

Preferred Skillsets:

  • Strongly preferred: Experience with genome engineering, cloning
  • Experience specifically with T cell immunology and/or immune cell gene engineering
  • Experience working with HIV (or other BSL2*/BSL3 pathogens)
  • Experience with flow and/or mass cytometry
  • Experience with next-generation/single-cell sequencing for transcriptional and epigenetic profiling of immune cells
  • Strong track record of first-author publications

Salary

We offer a competitive salary adjusted for cost of living. 

Please include in Application

  • CV
  • Cover letter

If interested, please contact: [email protected].