Research Scientist

Position Summary/Description

The UNC HIV Cure Center Browne Lab seeks a highly motivated and innovative Research Scientist to advance cutting-edge investigations into the immunology of HIV reservoirs, latency reversal strategies, and mechanisms of viral clearance. This position offers an exciting opportunity to contribute to translational and discovery-based research focused on advancing HIV cure strategies within a collaborative and multidisciplinary research environment.

The successful candidate will possess expertise in virology, immunology, or a closely related biomedical science field, along with the scientific independence, technical proficiency, and intellectual curiosity necessary to drive complex research projects forward. The Research Scientist will contribute to experimental design, protocol optimization, data interpretation, and scientific dissemination while supporting ongoing collaborative initiatives within the lab and across research partners.

Education and Experience

• Experience with mammalian cell culture.
• Experience with virology, PCR, and Western blotting.
• Experience with collecting and analyzing single-cell omics data.
• Technical expertise in tissue culture, cellular immunology, flow cytometry, and molecular biology methodologies, including DNA/RNA extraction and analysis, qPCR, Western blotting, ELISA, and related experimental techniques.
• Experience working with advanced immunologic or virologic assays, assay optimization, and troubleshooting complex experimental systems is highly desirable.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Experience with manuscript preparation.
• Attention to detail, including achieving stated objectives according to strict timelines.
• Doctoral Degree in Microbiology or Immunology preferred.

Essential Skills

• Experience conducting and supporting infectious disease laboratory and field research in resource-constrained settings.
• Experience managing large cross-institutional projects.