Postdoctoral Researcher

Overview

The Simonetti Lab in the Department of Medicine at Johns Hopkins University is recruiting a postdoctoral fellow to join an interdisciplinary research program focused on HIV-1 persistence and cure strategies.

Research Focus

Our lab studies HIV–host interactions during suppressive antiretroviral therapy (ART), with the long-term goal of controlling or eliminating the HIV-1 reservoir in the absence of continuous ART. This fully funded NIH/NIAID-supported project centers on understanding how 5′ Leader–defective proviruses shape Residual viremia, Proviral expression and clonal dynamics, HIV-specific immune responses.

Approaches

Novel molecular and digital PCR–based assays; single-cell and multiomic profiling of infected cells; synthetic cell circuits and engineered model systems; samples from HIV cure–focused clinical trials. The fellow will gain training across molecular virology, innate and adaptive immunity, and translational HIV research.

Collaborative Environment

The position includes close interaction with an international network of HIV cure investigators, including collaborators at:
University of Toronto, Weill Cornell Medicine, University of Ghent, University of Montreal, Aarhus University, and Martin Delaney Collaboratories for HIV Cure. We are a collaborative and supportive team guided by curiosity, rigor, and kindness. Our work is embedded within a multidisciplinary ecosystem of basic scientists, clinicians, NIH laboratories, and industry partners.

Qualifications

• Required:
  
  PhD or MD in biology, virology, immunology, or a related field
• Preferred:
  Primary cell culture, flow cytometry, and cell sorting
• Quantification of rare DNA/RNA targets from clinical samples
• Molecular biology or cell line engineering
• Computational skills (R/Python), including single-cell RNA-seq analysis

What We Look For

• Curiosity, creativity, and motivation for your research topic.
• Excellent writing and oral communication skills.
• Willingness to interact with other members of the laboratory in a way that raises the scientific excellence of the whole group.

What We Offer

• Strong support for developing an independent research profile
• A friendly, diverse, team-oriented environment within the Virus Immunity and Pathogenesis Center at Johns Hopkins

How to Apply

Submit a single PDF to fsimonetti containing:
1) One-page statement in which you discuss your strengths and interest in the proposed research,
2) Curriculum vitae,
3) Contact information for three academic references. Position available immediately; applications reviewed on a rolling basis.