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Would you like to contribute to innovative research with the goal of improving human health? Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research (NIBR) currently has two postdoctoral positions in Infectious Diseases that provide excellent training in research and exposure to science in a pharmaceutical setting.

The NIBR Presidential Postdoctoral Fellowships provide scientists with a unique opportunity to conduct innovative, interdisciplinary basic research in an industry setting. Presidential Fellows have a NIBR mentor and an academic mentor, and develop their projects in consultation with both mentors. PhD students in the last year of their doctoral research, as well as postdoctoral fellows with fewer than two years of research experience past their PhD, are eligible to apply. We seek highly-motivated and enthusiastic candidates with demonstrated excellence in research and the ability to work both independently and collaboratively.

We are currently seeking candidates for postdoctoral fellowship positions in the Infectious Diseases area in Emeryville (SF Bay Area), California.

1. CMV Escape Mechanism to Neutralizing Antibody
Human cytomegalovirus (CMV) is known to manipulate cell-mediated immunity but less is known about its ability to escape naturally occurring antibody responses. Recently we have shown that CMV can subvert a naturally elicited neutralizing monoclonal antibody (MSL-109) through a unique non-genetic mechanism (Manley, et al 2011). To understand how CMV escapes neutralization by MSL-109, we characterized a strain of CMV resistant to MSL-109. Our results elucidate a novel mechanism of antibody escape involving the selective uptake of the antibody by infected cells and the dose-dependent incorporation of the antibody into assembling virions. The resistant virus then utilizes the incorporated antibody to mediate the infection of naive non-immune cells.

Candidates should have virology, cell and molecular biology, or immunology skills to further explore herpesvirus escape mechanisms to naturally elicited neutralizing antibodies. Work will explore the prevalence and diversity of herpesvirus antibody escape mechanisms and go on to define the virus and host factors responsible for nongenetic antibody escape.

2. Epigenetic Regulation of DNA Viruses

All DNA viruses upon entry into the host cell nucleus must contend and interact with chromatin adopting a structure that is both competent for transcription and translation to ensure survival and propagation. Persistent DNA viruses in particular have developed many mechanisms to both manipulate and co-exist within the nucleus evading the host immune system. Several studies have demonstrated that these DNA viruses tend to have a chromatin structure that is similar to that of cellular chromosomes and that this assembly and organization of nucleosomes on the viral genome is critical for the replication and life cycle of the virus. Current treatment options, compromising mainly of nucleoside/nucleotide inhibitors of the viral DNA polymerase, are unable to completely eradicate the virus and thus these therapies tend to be life-long. A better understanding of the molecular details of chromatin regulation could provide new opportunities for controlling viral infections and associated pathogenesis.

Candidates should have skills in virology, cell and molecular biology, and/or experience in cellular chromatin to explore the epigenetic regulation of these DNA viruses and their link to viral replication and maintenance. Work will focus on the characterization of viral epigenetic marks on a range of DNA viruses and identify the viral-host interaction responsible for the cellular chromatin-modulating activity.

Applications are accepted on a rolling basis and may be uploaded via the link at http://www.nibr.com/careers/postdocs.shtml. All fellowships are for a three-year term.
Please mention “Postdoctoral position in Virology at NIBR Emeryville” in the cover letter. For additional information about the position, please contact Pamela Bailey (pam.bailey@novartis.com).

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