Research Assistant - Zhu Lab

ABOUT US:

Scripps Research is a nonprofit biomedical institute ranked as one of the most influential in the world for its impact on innovation. We celebrated our 100‑year legacy in 2024. This significant milestone marks a century of seminal discoveries in immunology, infectious diseases (such as COVID‑19, flu, HIV), neuroscience, heart disease, cancer, and more. Located in La Jolla, California, the institute houses six research departments, multiple Nobel laureates, a top‑ranked graduate school and a leading postdoctoral training program.

Scripps Research encompasses two elite and highly innovative institutes, the Cali ‑Skaggs Institute for Innovative Medicines and Scripps Research Translational Institute, which merge foundational studies in biology, chemistry and computer science with translational science to produce pioneering drugs and advances in digital and precision medicine. Together, we cultivate new scientific leaders and expand the frontiers of knowledge to deliver medical breakthroughs impacting human health around the globe.

If you have a passion for making a difference, this could be your opportunity to join our transformative team.

Research Assistant I

The Zhu Laboratory is seeking a highly motivated Research Assistant I to join a multidisciplinary team developing next‑generation vaccines against diverse viral pathogens, including HIV, HCV, filoviruses, RSV, influenza viruses, and coronaviruses. Research in the laboratory integrates structure‑guided vaccine design with molecular biology, protein engineering, immunology, and virology. Experimental approaches include molecular biology, protein production and purification, structural biology (X‑ray crystallography and electron microscopy), animal immunization, virus culture and neutralization assays, serological analysis, flow cytometry, single‑cell analysis, and next‑generation sequencing of immune repertoires.

Although molecular biology and protein production will be the primary focus of this position, the research assistant may have opportunities to learn advanced techniques in virology and immunology and participate in preclinical vaccine evaluation studies. The successful candidate will work closely with the Principal Investigator and senior laboratory members to support multiple research projects and may be recognized as a contributor on resulting scientific publications.

• Perform molecular biology and protein biochemistry techniques including DNA cloning, PCR, site‑directed mutagenesis, bacterial transformation, mammalian cell culture, transfection, protein expression and purification, SDS‑PAGE, BN‑PAGE, and Western blotting.
• Maintain sterile laboratory practices and follow standardized protocols to ensure experimental quality and reproducibility.
• Support molecular biology and recombinant protein production workflows for research projects.
• Gain hands‑on experience in virology and immunology techniques and contribute to preclinical vaccine evaluation studies.
• Details of established essential functions for this position will be addressed/discussed during the interview process.

The Zhu Laboratory focuses on the rational design of vaccines against HIV, SARS‑CoV‑2, HCV, filoviruses, RSV, influenza viruses, and other emerging viral pathogens. Dr. Jiang Zhu holds a joint appointment in the Department of Integrative Structural and Computational Biology (ISCB) and the Department of Immunology and Microbiology at Scripps Research in La Jolla, California. More information about the laboratory, ongoing research, and recent publications can be found at: https://(Use the "Apply for this Job" box below)./

• This position works in a laboratory or vivarium environment.
• Details of established essential functions for this position will be addressed/discussed during the interview process.

• Bachelor’s degree in biology, biochemistry, molecular biology, microbiology, immunology or a related scientific discipline, or an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience.
• Requires 1–3 years experience.
• Prior experience in protein biochemistry and microbiology…