HERC of the Carolinas

Multiple Postdoctoral Research Associate positions are available in the Lai Lab at the UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy. We seek intellectually curious and highly motivated candidates with a strong record of scientific productivity and innovation. Ideal applicants will have expertise in virology, molecular biology, gene delivery, immune cell therapy, computational modeling, immunology, bioengineering, or closely related disciplines. 

The primary focus is to advance in vivo engineering of immune cells for cancer, auto-immune and/or infectious disease applications, with the goal of not only advancing safe and highly efficacious therapies but also with cost profiles that greatly reduce access barriers for many immunotherapies. We broadly welcome applications from top applicants who can contribute unique expertise towards this effort. As the research progresses forward, the understanding is that there will be room for the research area to also evolve over time. The top applicants are expected to have received training in top labs in respective fields, have multiple first-author publications, and have at least 3 years of training occurring in either North America or Europe. We will provide salary and research support for the postdocs' research, with the goal of publishing multiple high-impact papers and developing translatable innovations during the training period. The Lai Lab has a strong track record of advancing innovations at the interface of immunology and engineering into clinical applications, with numerous inventions from the lab currently undergoing active clinical and preclinical development. 

Beyond leading their immediate research area, postdoctoral researchers are expected to serve as mentors and help oversee graduate students, undergraduate students, and/or research staff involved in the work. The position also involves collaboration with relevant research partners, including industry collaborators.

Application Instructions: When submitting an application, please state in your cover letter why you are interested in this field of research and why you believe you would be a good fit for the Lai Lab.

Viral gene delivery, CAR-T therapies, computational protein modeling and design, directed evolution (Yeast display, phage display) is preferred.