Postdoctoral Associate - Jardine 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.

The Jardine Lab at Scripps Research is an interdisciplinary research group that applies engineering-based approaches to understand challenging biological problems and develop therapeutic interventions. We are currently seeking applications for a postdoctoral position focused on developing medical countermeasures against botulism neurotoxin intoxication. The selected candidate will design, construct and screen synthetic monobody-based libraries to identify high affinity binders that broadly neutralize botulinum neurotoxins (BoNT).

This project will be done in collaboration with Cali , the translational division at Scripps Research focused on therapeutic development.

• Design, construct, and validate yeast display monobody (Mb) libraries.
• Conduct discovery campaigns against BoNTs to identify broadly neutralizing Mb candidates.
• Produce and characterize Mbs identified through discovery campaigns.
• Measure binding affinity and specificity
• Evaluate the biochemical and biophysical properties of lead candidates, including polyreactivity, size exclusion chromatography profiles and thermal stability.
• Establish, optimize, and perform previously described functional assays for BoNT neutralization.
• Affinity mature lead Mb candidates to improve potency and breadth across diverse BoNT variants.
• Analyze and interpret experimental data, using creative, solution-oriented approaches to overcome technical challenges.
• Prepare manuscripts for publication and present research findings at major scientific conferences.

Postdoctoral Associates are appointed positions for the purpose of developing scholarly competence, working under the supervision of a Scripps Research Faculty member. These appointments are normally not renewed beyond a total of five years. Postdoctoral Associates cannot apply for external funding either as a Principal Investigator or Co-Principal Investigator without prior approval from a Departmental Chair. Postdoctoral Associates do not have consulting privileges.

Scripps Research adheres to the National Institutes of Health (“NIH”) and National Science Foundation (“NSF”) definition of a Postdoctoral Scholar
:
An individual who has received a doctoral degree (or equivalent) and is engaged in a temporary and defined period of mentored, advanced training to enhance the professional skills and research independence needed to pursue their chosen career path.

• PhD in a relevant scientific field, with a strong record of research productivity and publication.
• Excellent analytical and problem solving skills.
• Strong written and oral communication skills, including experience preparing reports and manuscripts and delivering scientific presentations.
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively in a dynamic, interdisciplinary research environment.
• Strong interpersonal skills, with demonstrated cultural awareness and respect for colleagues from diverse backgrounds.

Postdoctoral Associates will be hired…