Postdoctoral Research Associate – Infectious Diseases Full-time

Postdoctoral Fellow — Viral Transmission & Vaccine Science

The Boon Lab at WashU Medicine is hiring an enthusiastic Postdoctoral Fellow to join our team studying influenza virus and SARS-CoV-2 infection and transmission in mouse and hamster models. This is a chance to work at the frontier of infectious disease research — using barcoded viruses to track exactly how pathogens spread within and between hosts, and to measure how novel vaccines and environmental factors change the outcome.

You won't just run experiments. You'll help answer questions that matter for global public health: How do vaccines and immune responses blunt transmission and disease severity? How do viruses move and disseminate between hosts? Your data will directly shape the design of next-generation countermeasures.

The Boon Lab studies viral transmission, immune responses, and disease mechanisms while developing diagnostic tools, treatments, and preventive strategies against important human pathogens — including influenza, SARS-CoV-2, and tick-borne viruses such as Bourbon and Heartland virus. The team combines molecular tools, next-generation sequencing, mRNA vaccines, and animal models, and pioneers the use of barcoded viruses to measure and track how viruses replicate, disseminate, and transmit. By pairing cutting-edge technology with collaborations across global health partners, the lab works to unlock the mechanisms driving infection outcomes and to translate that understanding into real-world protection.

The lab is housed in the John T. Milliken Department of Medicine at WashU in St. Louis, MO, on a floor shared with several other laboratories studying virus–host interactions — so collaboration and great science are right outside your door. We also have active, ongoing collaborations with labs across the University, including Molecular Microbiology and Pathology & Immunology. It's a rich, connected environment built for scientists who want to grow.

Why This Role:

• Work with a novel barcoded virus platform few labs in the world can offer.
• Build expertise across virology, immunology, and bioinformatics.
• Join a collaborative, cross-departmental research community at a top-tier medical school.
• Do science with a clear line of sight to real public health impact.

Primary Duties & Responsibilities:

Trains under the supervision of a faculty mentor including (but not limited to):

• Assists with grant preparation and reporting.
• Prepares and submits papers on research.
• Assists in the design of research experiments.
• Evaluates research findings and assists in the reporting of the results.
• Conscientious discharge of their research responsibilities.
• Maintains conformity with ethical standards in research.
• Maintains compliance with good laboratory practice including the maintenance of adequate research records.
• Engages in open and timely discussion with their mentor regarding possession or distribution of material, reagents, or records belonging to their laboratory and any proposed disclosure of findings or techniques privately or in publications.
• Collegial conduct towards co-trainees, staff members and members of the research group.
• Adherence to all applicable University policies, procedures and regulations. All data, research records and materials and other intellectual property generated in University laboratories remain the property of the University.

Working Conditions:

This position works in a laboratory environment with potential exposure to biological and chemical hazards. The individual must be physically able to wear protective equipment and to provide standard care to research animals.

Salary Range:

Base pay is commensurate with experience.

Applicant Special Instructions:

For more information about the position, contact Jacco Boon at jboon@wustl.edu.

To apply, use the application link above and please include:

• A cover letter
• Your CV
• Contact information for three references
• One key first-author publication

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by people assigned to this classification. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all job duties performed by the personnel so classified. Management reserves the right to revise or amend duties at any time.

Education:

Ph.D., M.D. Or Equivalent Terminal Or Doctoral Degree.

Certifications /Professional Licenses :

No specific certification/professional license is required for this position.

Work Experience:

No specific work experience is required for this position.

Skills:

Not Applicable

Driver's License:

A driver's license is not required for this position.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Hold a PhD in immunology, molecular biology, microbiology, or a similar field, earned within the past three years.
• Have published one or more papers in peer-reviewed journals.
• Be able to independently guide research projects.
• Have a background in — or a genuine desire to learn — bioinformatics analysis techniques.
• Bring strong interpersonal skills and a willingness to mentor students and technicians.
• Have excellent speaking, reading, and writing skills.

Education:

No additional education unless stated elsewhere in the job posting.

Certifications /Professional Licenses :

No additional certification/professional licenses unless stated elsewhere in the job posting.

Work Experience:

No additional work experience unless stated elsewhere in the job posting.

Skills:

Collaboration, Data Analysis, Data Interpretations, Experimentation, Laboratory Operations, Laboratory Techniques, Researching, Results Reporting, Scientific Writing

For frequently asked questions about the application process, please refer to our External Applicant FAQ.

If you are unable to use our online application system and would like an accommodation, please email CandidateQuestions@wustl.edu or call the dedicated accommodation inquiry number at 314-935-1149 and leave a voicemail with the nature of your request.

All qualified individuals must be able to perform the essential functions of the position satisfactorily and, if requested, reasonable accommodations will be made to enable employees with disabilities to perform the essential functions of their job, absent undue hardship.

All external candidates receiving an offer for employment will be required to submit to pre-employment screening for this position. The screenings will include criminal background check and, as applicable for the position, other background checks, drug screen, an employment and education or licensure/certification verification, physical examination, certain vaccinations and/or governmental registry checks. All offers are contingent upon successful completion of required screening.

Washington University in St. Louis is committed to providing a comprehensive and competitive benefits package to our employees. Benefits eligibility is subject to employment status, full-time equivalent (FTE) workload, and weekly standard hours. Please visit our website at https://hr.wustl.edu/benefits/ to view a summary of benefits.

Washington University in St. Louis is committed to the principles and practices of equal employment opportunity. It is the University's policy to provide equal opportunity and access to persons in all job titles without regard to race, ethnicity, color, national origin, citizenship (where prohibited by federal law), age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, protected veteran status, or genetic information.