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Scripps Staff Scientist - Martins Lab
role at Inside Higher Ed. Job No: 537163 Work Type: Full Time Location: Palm Beach Categories: Biology/Life Science, Grant or Research Administration Department: 37042060 - SR-IM-MARTINS LAB Job Description
The Martins lab at The Herbert Wertheim UF Scripps Institute for Biomedical Innovation & Technology is looking for a Staff Scientist. Our research program is focused on developing a “one-shot” functional cure for HIV/AIDS. To that end, we are leveraging the latest advances in gene therapy to engineer long-lived host cells to continuously produce HIV-1 IgG therapeutics in vivo at levels sufficient to prevent viral replication in the absence of antiretroviral therapy (ART). Using nonhuman primates as a preclinical model of HIV/AIDS, we have shown that a single dose of adeno-associated virus (AAV) vectors at birth can result in stable expression of a HIV-1 broadly neutralizing antibody (bNAb) in plasma for years without redosing. The systemic HIV-1 immunity achieved by this strategy could block acquisition of SHIV infection in mucosal challenge models that mimic HIV transmission through breastfeeding and sexual intercourse. Additionally, ongoing studies in our group show that AAV-vectored delivery of HIV-1 IgG biologics can also prevent virus rebound in SHIV-infected infant and adult rhesus macaques following ART interruption. Despite the promise of these results, AAV-expressed bNAbs often induce host immune responses that restrict bNAb expression and lead to treatment failure. Although these anti-drug antibody (ADA) responses are rarely observed in newborn macaques, a large fraction of AAV/bNAb-treated adult monkeys (and humans too!) develop immune responses that interfere with the half-life or biological activity of the delivered molecules. Thus, a main focus of our lab is to understand why gene therapy with AAV/bNAb vectors induces ADAs in some animals, but not in others, in hopes devising strategies for suppressing these unwanted host immune responses. Responsibilities
Project Management (meetings, bookkeeping, purchasing of reagents and supplies, etc.) Grant/Manuscript writing Cloning, cell culture, ELISAs, protein expression and purification, and data analysis and interpretation Salary
Expected Salary: Commensurate with experience. Required Qualifications
Ph.D. in immunology, virology, or a related discipline. Evidence of productivity from publications in high-quality journals originating from Ph.D. or postdoctoral work. Manuscripts that are finally accepted for publication in high-quality journals will also be considered as evidence of productivity. Significant expertise in the design and production of gene therapy vectors. Verbal and written communication skills in English with good organizational and analytical abilities. Strong managerial and organizational skills. Preferred
Prior experience in some of the following areas/techniques is preferred: Immunological techniques, including flow cytometry, ELISA, immunofluorescence, RNA/DNA scope. Molecular biology assays, like qPCR and advanced cloning. Preclinical models of HIV/AIDS. Next-generation sequencing and bioinformatics. Special Instructions To Applicants
To be considered, upload your cover letter and resume. Please provide names and email addresses of three to five references as part of the application process. When ready, the hiring department will contact the listed references via email requesting their reference letters to be uploaded directly to the application website. This position is open until filled. Application review will begin September 22, 2025. This is a time-limited position. Health Assessment
Health Assessment Required: Yes. Application Link
To apply, visit https://explore.jobs.ufl.edu/en-us/job/537163 About UF
The University of Florida is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. Hiring is contingent on eligibility to work in the U.S. The University of Florida is a public institution and is subject to all requirements under Florida Sunshine and Public Record laws. If an accommodation due to a disability is needed to apply for this position, please call 352-392-2477 or the Florida Relay System at 800-955-8771 (TDD) or visit Accessibility at UF.
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Join to apply for the
Scripps Staff Scientist - Martins Lab
role at Inside Higher Ed. Job No: 537163 Work Type: Full Time Location: Palm Beach Categories: Biology/Life Science, Grant or Research Administration Department: 37042060 - SR-IM-MARTINS LAB Job Description
The Martins lab at The Herbert Wertheim UF Scripps Institute for Biomedical Innovation & Technology is looking for a Staff Scientist. Our research program is focused on developing a “one-shot” functional cure for HIV/AIDS. To that end, we are leveraging the latest advances in gene therapy to engineer long-lived host cells to continuously produce HIV-1 IgG therapeutics in vivo at levels sufficient to prevent viral replication in the absence of antiretroviral therapy (ART). Using nonhuman primates as a preclinical model of HIV/AIDS, we have shown that a single dose of adeno-associated virus (AAV) vectors at birth can result in stable expression of a HIV-1 broadly neutralizing antibody (bNAb) in plasma for years without redosing. The systemic HIV-1 immunity achieved by this strategy could block acquisition of SHIV infection in mucosal challenge models that mimic HIV transmission through breastfeeding and sexual intercourse. Additionally, ongoing studies in our group show that AAV-vectored delivery of HIV-1 IgG biologics can also prevent virus rebound in SHIV-infected infant and adult rhesus macaques following ART interruption. Despite the promise of these results, AAV-expressed bNAbs often induce host immune responses that restrict bNAb expression and lead to treatment failure. Although these anti-drug antibody (ADA) responses are rarely observed in newborn macaques, a large fraction of AAV/bNAb-treated adult monkeys (and humans too!) develop immune responses that interfere with the half-life or biological activity of the delivered molecules. Thus, a main focus of our lab is to understand why gene therapy with AAV/bNAb vectors induces ADAs in some animals, but not in others, in hopes devising strategies for suppressing these unwanted host immune responses. Responsibilities
Project Management (meetings, bookkeeping, purchasing of reagents and supplies, etc.) Grant/Manuscript writing Cloning, cell culture, ELISAs, protein expression and purification, and data analysis and interpretation Salary
Expected Salary: Commensurate with experience. Required Qualifications
Ph.D. in immunology, virology, or a related discipline. Evidence of productivity from publications in high-quality journals originating from Ph.D. or postdoctoral work. Manuscripts that are finally accepted for publication in high-quality journals will also be considered as evidence of productivity. Significant expertise in the design and production of gene therapy vectors. Verbal and written communication skills in English with good organizational and analytical abilities. Strong managerial and organizational skills. Preferred
Prior experience in some of the following areas/techniques is preferred: Immunological techniques, including flow cytometry, ELISA, immunofluorescence, RNA/DNA scope. Molecular biology assays, like qPCR and advanced cloning. Preclinical models of HIV/AIDS. Next-generation sequencing and bioinformatics. Special Instructions To Applicants
To be considered, upload your cover letter and resume. Please provide names and email addresses of three to five references as part of the application process. When ready, the hiring department will contact the listed references via email requesting their reference letters to be uploaded directly to the application website. This position is open until filled. Application review will begin September 22, 2025. This is a time-limited position. Health Assessment
Health Assessment Required: Yes. Application Link
To apply, visit https://explore.jobs.ufl.edu/en-us/job/537163 About UF
The University of Florida is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. Hiring is contingent on eligibility to work in the U.S. The University of Florida is a public institution and is subject to all requirements under Florida Sunshine and Public Record laws. If an accommodation due to a disability is needed to apply for this position, please call 352-392-2477 or the Florida Relay System at 800-955-8771 (TDD) or visit Accessibility at UF.
#J-18808-Ljbffr