Research Associate II - COVID-19 and CMV Vaccines Development

City of Hope

Duarte, CA

Job posting number: #7122387 (Ref:10019575)

Posted: January 30, 2023

Salary / Pay Rate: $31.00 - $48.05 / hour

Application Deadline: Open Until Filled

Job Description

About City of Hope

City of Hope is an independent biomedical research and treatment organization for cancer, diabetes, and other life-threatening diseases.

Founded in 1913, City of Hope is a leader in bone marrow transplantation and immunotherapy such as CAR T cell therapy. City of Hope’s translational research and personalized treatment protocols advance care throughout the world. Human synthetic insulin, monoclonal antibodies and numerous breakthrough cancer drugs are based on technology developed at the institution. AccessHope™, a subsidiary launched in 2019 serves employers and their health care partners by providing access to City of Hope’s specialized cancer expertise.

A National Cancer Institute-designated comprehensive cancer center and a founding member of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network, City of Hope is ranked among the nation’s “Best Hospitals” in cancer by U.S. News & World Report and received Magnet Recognition from the American Nurses Credentialing Center. Its main campus is located near Los Angeles, with additional locations throughout Southern California and in Arizona.

City of Hope’s commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

We believe diversity, equity and inclusion is key in serving our mission to provide compassionate patient care, drive innovative discovery, and advance vital education focused on eliminating cancer and diabetes in all our communities. Our commitment to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion ensures we bring the full range of skills, perspectives, cultural backgrounds, and experiences to our work -- and that our teams align with the people we serve to build trust and understanding. We are dedicated to fostering a community that embraces diversity - in ideas, backgrounds, and perspectives; this is reflected in our work and represented in our people.

Position Summary

A Research Associate II (RAII) position is available in the Laboratory of Dr. Don Diamond in the Department of Hematology & Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation of the City of Hope. Dr. Diamond’s research team is seeking a highly motivated candidate with experience in molecular biology/virology or viral immunology. The position is available as part of multiple-disciplinary research projects to develop COVID-19 and CMV vaccines based on a highly efficient and fully synthetic poxvirus-vectored vaccine platform for pathogen preparedness and infectious disease prevention. The successful applicant will join a highly productive research team to develop and characterize recombinant vaccine vectors by various in vitro methods and to test these vaccine candidates for in vivo immunogenicity and protective efficacy in different animal models.

Basic education, experience and skills required for consideration:

  • Bachelor’s degree. Master’s degree preferred.
  • Background in molecular biology/virology, viral immunology or related fields and preferably 2-3 years of experience in relevant laboratory work.
  • Interest and knowledge in vaccine research and coronavirus/herpesvirus/poxvirus virology.
  • Experience in DNA cloning, PCR, electrophoresis, immunoblot, immunohistochemistry, flow cytometry, ELISA, virus propagation and titration, cell culture or related laboratory techniques.
  • Knowledge in recombinant DNA technologies and viral vector design.
  • Willingness to work with COVID-19 pseudovirus, clinical-isolates of cytomegalovirus, and attenuated poxviruses under biosafety level 1 and 2 conditions.
  • background in viral immunology, with documented experience in developing and performing immunoassays to analyze antibody and T cell responses is a plus.
  • Ability to independently document scientific progress

Additional Information:

As a condition of employment, City of Hope requires staff to comply with all state and federal vaccination mandates.

  • For more information on Dr. Don Diamond please visit here: https://www.cityofhope.org/don-diamond

Salary / Pay Rate Information:
Pay Rate: $31.00 - $48.05 / hour

The estimated pay scale represents the typical [salary/hourly] range City of Hope reasonably expects to pay for this position, with offers determined based on several factors which may include, but not be limited to, the candidate’s experience, expertise, skills, education, job scope, training, internal equity, geography/market, etc. This pay scale is subject to change from time to time.



City of Hope is a community of people characterized by our diversity of thought, background and approach, but tied together by our commitment to care for and cure those with cancer and other life-threatening diseases. The innovation that our diversity produces in the areas of research, treatment, philanthropy and education has made us national leaders in this fight. Our unique and diverse workforce provides us the ability to understand our patients' needs, deliver compassionate care and continue the quest for a cure for life-threatening diseases. At City of Hope, diversity and inclusion is a core value at the heart of our mission. We strive to create an inclusive workplace environment that engages all of our employees and provides them with opportunities to develop and grow, both personally and professionally. Each day brings an opportunity to strengthen our work, leverage our different perspectives and improve our patients’ experiences by learning from others. Diversity and inclusion is about much more than policies and campaigns. It is an integral part of who we are as an institution, how we operate and how we see our future.


Apply Now

Please mention to the employer that you saw this ad on WomenInScience.com