Postdoctoral Fellow

Department of Health and Human Services

National Institutes of Health

National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases

Postdoctoral Fellow

Laboratory of Immunogenetics

Antibody Biology Unit

Postdoctoral fellow – antibody discovery against novel malaria sporozoite targets

The Antibody Biology Unit in the Laboratory of Immunogenetics, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), National Institutes of Health (NIH), Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) aims to discover therapeutic monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) to combat major pathogens, including malaria, TB and infectious viruses. A postdoctoral position is available in the Antibody Biology Unit, headed by Dr. Joshua Tan, to discover next-generation antibodies targeting the Plasmodium falciparum sporozoite, the parasite form that initiates a malaria infection.

The Tan lab recently identified a new mAb class that targets the pGlu-CSP site on P. falciparum sporozoites and is able to confer sterilizing protection against sporozoite challenge in vivo (Dacon et al., Science 2025). Importantly, these mAbs do not interfere with the current malaria vaccines, RTS,S/AS01 and R21/Matrix M, and they are now lead candidates for development for clinical use to prevent malaria. This study confirmed the utility of using an antigen-agnostic approach to discover antibodies against new malaria targets, and preliminary data from our lab suggests that there could be other antibody targets on the sporozoite surface that have not yet been discovered.

The aim of this postdoctoral project is to use an antigen-agnostic approach to identify mAbs against new (non-CSP) targets on the sporozoite surface, as well as to discover next-generation antibodies against pGlu-CSP for clinical development. Antibody sequences would be analyzed by next-generation sequencing to accelerate mAb discovery and characterization. The anticipated project outcomes are to increase our understanding of the landscape of antibody targets on the sporozoite surface, find new prophylactic mAbs against malaria, and identify new pre-erythrocytic malaria vaccine candidates.

This position is ideal for a candidate with a strong immunology or molecular biology background who is interested in developing new interventions against malaria that could be deployed in a real-world setting. The NIH Intramural Research Program also provides excellent training and career development opportunities.

Qualifications                               

• Ph.D. in a relevant field (immunology or molecular biology)
• Experience in next-generation sequencing, including setting up barcoded libraries and bioinformatics data analysis for antibody discovery
• Track record of scientific publications
• Collaborative and willing to work as part of a team

Trainees will receive health insurance as well as a stipend commensurate with experience.

Appointees may be a US citizen, Legal Permanent Resident or non-US citizen (visa requirements apply).

To Apply

Interested candidates should send the following to Joshua Tan, Ph.D., Chief, Antibody Biology Unit, NIAID, NIH at tanj4@nih.gov:

• Cover letter
• Curriculum vitae
• Contact details of three referees

DHHS and NIH are equal opportunity employers. Visit NIH Equal Employment Opportunity site for more information.