One postdoctoral 3 year-contract (annual gross salary: 40.900 €) is available at the National Center for Biotechnology (CNB-CSIC) (PI: Juan García Arriaza) to work in the development of novel vaccine candidates against viruses with epidemic and pandemic potential. As a model system for the expression of genes of interest we use the modified vaccinia virus Ankara (MVA) strain, a member of the poxvirus family.

Project and job information: We have previously developed vaccine candidates against emerging viral diseases, such as chikungunya, zika, ebola and SARS-CoV-2/COVID-19 based on the MVA vector expressing antigens from these viruses, which were highly immunogenic and effective in the control of virus infection in several animal models. We have received funding from the Horizon Europe Framework Programme (HORIZON) (call HORIZON-HLTH-2023-DISEASE-03) to generate novel vaccine candidates against viruses with epidemic and pandemic potential, as well as to study their immunogenicity and efficacy in animal models. The goal is to develop new vaccine candidates and vaccination strategies against viruses with epidemic and pandemic potential, in order to stablish the best-in-class immunogens that induces more potent levels of specific T and B-cell immune responses, and confer the highest level of protection and of durability. These findings will generate detailed insights into the immunological mechanisms necessary for vaccine efficacy, relevant to vaccination programs against emerging viruses, and will identify the most effective vectors that could move forward to clinical trials. The project is highly interdisciplinary and combines methods from virology, cell biology and immunology (i.e., virus generation, cell culture techniques, immunofluorescence, RT-qPCR, ELISA, flow cytometry, virus neutralization, etc.), as well as experimentation in mouse animal models.

Competences: Highly motivated researchers with strong interest and experience in vaccine development, virology and immunology. Motivated candidates with prior experience in recombinant virus generation, cell culture, molecular biology, immunology, BSL-3 laboratory skills, and mouse experimentation are especially encouraged to apply. A good knowledge of English and a Certificate in animal experimentation are highly desirable.
Start date: July 2024.
Contact: Interested candidates should submit a CV and a cover letter to Juan García Arriaza (jfgarcia@cnb.csic.es).