Postdoctoral Associate - Martins Lab

Postdoctoral Associate

The Martins lab at The Herbert Wertheim UF Scripps Institute for Biomedical Innovation & Technology is looking for a Postdoctoral Associate. 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 simian‑HIV infection (SHIV) 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 of devising strategies for suppressing these unwanted host immune responses.

• 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

Commensurate with experience.

• 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.

• 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.

The University of Florida is a member of the State University System of Florida and an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment based on merit. 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.