The Steinmetz Laboratory at Case Western ReserveUniversity School of Medicine |steinmetzlab.com | is seeking talented post-doctoralfellows to develop and study  virus-basednanotechnologies targeting cancer and cardiovascular disease.

            Nanoscaleengineering is revolutionizing the way we prevent, detect and treatdiseases.  Viruses are playing a specialrole in these developments because they can function as prefabricatednanoparticles naturally evolved to deliver cargos to cells and tissues. TheSteinmetz Lab has developed a library of plant virus-based nanoparticles;through structure-function studies we are beginning to understand how to tailorthese materials appropriately for biomedical applications. Through syntheticbiology, we have developed virus-based delivery system carrying contrast agentand/or therapeutic cargo enabling therapeutic applications targeting cancer andcardiovascular diseases. Another avenue is the developmentof virus-like particle platforms for cancer immunotherapy. For some references,we would like to highlight the following publications:

•     situ vaccinationtechnology NatureNanotechnology 2016, 11, 295-303,
  
•     drugdelivery system ACS Nano 2016, 10, 4119-4126,
  
•     molecularimaging probes Nano Letters 2014,  14, 1551-1558.
  

In particular, we seek to hire talentedpost-doctoral candidates with expertise and interest in:

•     Molecular imaging and drug delivery | cardiovascular disease
  
•     Cancer Immunotherapy | cancer
  

          Specifically the projects will entail the molecular engineering of plantvirus-based nanotechnologies and their evaluation in tissue culture and mousemodels. One project will focuson the application of virus-based probes for molecular imaging and drugdelivery; while another direction is the application of virus-based tools forcancer immunotherapy. The work will include geneticmanipulation, bioconjugation, protein expression in bacteria and plants,self-assembly of nanoparticle complexes, nanoparticle characterization such asTEM, ICP, gel electrophoresis, UV/Vis, etc. Nanoparticle probes will beevaluated in tissue culture and in preclinical animal models. Work with includebiodistribution, in vivo and ex vivo imaging, immunological investigation byimmunohistochemistry and flow cytometry.

            Weseek highly motivated, creative scientists, who enjoy an interdisciplinary,open, and collaborative environment. Applicant qualifications include a strongbackground in any of the following areas: molecular biology, nanotechnology, bioconjugationchemistry, virology, cell biology, immunology, preclinical studies, inparticular a strong background in multi-color flow cytometry and immunology aswell as experience with mouse models would be desired.

            Thecandidate should have a PhD in Immunology, Molecular Biology, Biotechnology, Virology,Chemistry, Biomedical Engineering, Pharmacology, Pharmaceutical Sciences, orrelated fields. Post-doctoral research experience is not required and notpreferred. The candidate may supervise laboratory graduate students andundergraduate students in conducting sample preparation, experimental designand data analysis of a variety of projects. The candidate is expected todevelop and execute research projects and will have an opportunity and supportto write fellowship and grant applications to foster their career development.

            Case Western Reserve University is an Equal Opportunity Employer encouraging excellence through diversity. Qualified woman and minority candidates are encouraged to apply. Interested candidates should email a cover letter, CV including publications list, and names and contact information for three references to Dr. Nicole Steinmetz at nicole.steinmetz@case.edu. Further information can be found at www.steinmetzlab.com.  Please email Dr. Steinmetz for any questions or further information.