Open Positions

Post-Doctoral Fellows

The laboratory of Dr. Bruce E. Torbett is looking for Post-Doctoral Fellows to work on projects related to:

1- Lentiviral Vector Engineering and Improved Gene Delivery to Hematopoietic Stem Cells (Project ID 2021-40236)

This translational work aims to improve the delivery of therapeutic genes and gene-modifying agents for the purpose of genetic correction as well as the prevention of viral infections. The candidate will be involved in setting up and managing studies to determine restrictions of lentiviral vector (LV) entry to HSCs and how they can be overcome by using small molecule transduction enhancers (PMID 24914132, 31416800), alternate surface envelopes (PMID 30603655), or engineering improved producer cell lines. Candidates must have a Ph.D. in Cell/Molecular Biology related field with experience in production and use of lentiviral vectors in primary cells, preclinical testing of LV gene therapy in humanized mouse models, as well as familiarity with standard virology techniques.

Basic Qualifications: lentiviral (LV) vector production and gene delivery to primary cells, preclinical testing of LV vectors in humanized mouse models, standard virology assays (neutralization, titer, packaging efficiency), multicolor flow cytometry analysis and cell sorting, cell culture of primary cells and cell lines, RT-qPCR, protein and nucleic acid isolation and analysis.

Preferred Qualifications: immunoassays (eg. p24 ELISA), gene targeting with CRISPR/Cas9 or equivalent, experience working in BSL2+ and BSL3 biocontainment environments, fluorescence microscopy.

2- Immune Signaling Pathways involved in HIV entry (Project ID 2021-40234)

This work aims to investigate how opioids (and other immune modulators) affect HIV entry and latency, with particular focus on signaling pathways involved in host restriction and viral reactivation. This work also includes focus on the molecular mechanisms for HIV transport through the Nuclear Pore Complex, with insights of novel host-viral interfaces being translatable to new therapeutic strategies. This work involves setting up and managing studies of immune signaling pathways during active HIV infection in primary cells using Molecular Virology approaches. Candidates must have a Ph.D. in Virology or related field, with experience using standard virology approaches to investigate immune-signaling dynamics.

Basic Qualifications: molecular virology, isolation and culture of primary cells, fluorescence microscopy, various methods of protein isolation and qualification and quantification (including immunoassays), gene-targeting approaches (such as KOs and knockdowns).

Preferred Qualifications: flow cytometry and FACS, use of viral vectors for heterologous gene expression or gene targetting, experience working in BSL2+ and BSL3 biocontainment environments, confocal microcopy (or other high-resolution microscopy).

3- Structural and Biophysical Interactions of HIV Gag/Gag-Pol with host proteins during viral trafficking and assembly (Project ID 2021-40235)

This work aims to investigate how HIV co-opts cellular host machinery during active infection and identify the composition, dynamics, and function of novel host-viral interfaces that can be modulated for new therapeutic strategies (PMID 33807824). This work involves setting up and managing studies utilizing proximity labeling and quantitative proteomics, along with biochemical and virological validation of candidate cellular factors using CRISPR/Cas9 knockouts and confocal imaging techniques. Candidates must have a Ph.D. in Biochemistry or related field with experience in Mass Spectrometry-based Proteomics to identify host-factors of microbial infections, along with experience in target validation using relevant in vivo and in vitro assays.

Basic Qualifications: mass spectrometry-based proteomics to identify host-factors of microbial infections, target validation using relevant in vivo and in vitro assays (eg. CRISPR/Cas9), cell culture, fluorescence microscopy, various methods of protein isolation/labeling/qualification/quantification, bioconjugation and/or chemical biology.

Preferred Qualifications: working knowledge of HTS technologies, Immunoassays (such as p24 ELISA), knowledge of structural biology, confocal microscopy, knowledge of bioinformatics as it pertains to analysis of proteomic datasets, protein engineering.

GENERAL JOB RESPONSIBILITIES

• • Meet with Principal Investigator on a regular basis to discuss proposed/ongoing studies, discuss implications of findings, and provide insights into new research directions
  • Candidates expected to run research projects in an independent manner
  • Write manuscripts, present data at national and international conferences
  • Assist PI in writing progress reports, grant proposals, protocols
  • Protocol development and review
  • Excellent communication and writing skills
  • Develop additional scientific skills as appropriate for the research project and carry out research/development activities of assigned research projects.
  • Ability to learn and apply new technologies and skills

INSTRUCTIONS: Interested candidates please e-mail betorbet@uw.edu directly and include CV, three references, and a Cover Letter. Please include Project ID in the Subject Line

Research Technicians

The laboratory of Dr. Bruce E. Torbett is looking for Research Technician to support projects related to:

1- Viral Genomics (Project ID 2023-49400)

Will support ongoing studies related to HIV host-pathogen interactions from the lens of Viral Genomics. Candidate will be involved in work leveraging cutting-edge long-read RNA sequencing approaches developed in the lab (MrHAMER, CASPR) to understand host and viral transcriptional dynamics. The ideal candidate will be detail-oriented and be motivated to learn and understand aspects of genomics and assay/method development from both a ‘wet lab’ and bioinformatics perspective.

Under direct supervision of a Senior Staff Scientist, applicant will be trained in the preparation of sequencing libraries for long-read sequencing of host and viral transcripts (from tissue culture and clinical samples), and in performing bioinformatics work analyze results using CLI-based bioinformatics tools. After training, candidate is expected to carry-out these protocols to completion and in a timely manner to support ongoing collaborations.

This work is funded by both the NIAID (PI: Torbett) and the Washington Research Foundation (PI: Gallardo). You will have the opportunity to participate in ongoing collaborations with B-HIVE Center Investigators throughout the US, as well as with collaborators in Fred Hutch and UW.

GENERAL JOB RESPONSIBILITIES

• • Be motivated to learn new techniques related to Viral Genomics
  • Be precise and consistent in performance of wet lab and bioinformatics work
  • Keep careful records of work performed
  • Follow established protocols and complete work in a timely manner
  • Assist Investigators in Data Analysis
  • Prepare reports of work performed
  • May be asked to present in scientific conferences
  • Based on interest and ability, may be responsible development and execution for small-scale research project which may lead to authorship in scientific publications
  • Participate in lab meetings and present their own data when appropriate

INSTRUCTIONS: Interested candidates please e-mail betorbet@uw.edu directly and include CV, three references, and a Cover Letter. Please include Project ID in the Subject Line