Job Description

The Speranza Lab at Texas Biomedical Research Institute (Texas Biomed) is seeking a highly motivated Postdoctoral Fellow to study host immune responses to emerging RNA viruses. Our research focuses on understanding how the immune system responds during the earliest stages of infection and identifying mechanisms that shape disease outcomes.

This project will leverage systems immunology approaches, including spatial and cellular profiling technologies, to dissect early host responses to emerging RNA viruses in vivo. The work integrates advanced molecular profiling, high-content imaging, and computational analysis to understand how immune responses are organized across tissues and cell types during infection.

Research will involve work in BSL-3 and BSL-4 laboratory environments, providing a unique opportunity to study high-consequence viral pathogens in a collaborative and well-supported high-containment research setting.

The Role

The successful candidate will lead and contribute to projects aimed at characterizing early immune responses to emerging RNA viruses using cutting-edge systems biology approaches.

Responsibilities include:

• Designing and conducting experiments to investigate host immune responses to viral infection in vivo
• Analyzing and interpreting single-cell sequencing datasets and other high-dimensional profiling data
• Utilizing high-content imaging and spatial profiling technologies
• Working collaboratively within a multidisciplinary team of virologists, immunologists, and computational scientists
• Contributing to manuscript preparation, grant development, and presentation of research findings at scientific meetings

Our Ideal Candidate

We are seeking a creative and collaborative scientist who is excited about applying systems-level approaches to understand host responses to emerging viral pathogens.

• PhD in immunology, virology, computational biology, or a related biomedical field required
• Demonstrated experience analyzing single-cell sequencing data
• Experience with high-content imaging or related quantitative imaging approaches
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills

Preferred Qualifications

• Prior experience working in BSL-3 or BSL-4 laboratory environments
• Experience working with small animal models of infectious disease
• Background in systems immunology, spatial transcriptomics, or high-dimensional immune profiling

Who We Are:

Join our incredible mission to pave the way for a world free from the fear of infectious disease!

Texas Biomedical Research Institute is pioneering and sharing scientific research to protect you, your families, and our global community from the threat of infectious diseases. Our scientific discoveries create breakthroughs in medical research to provide better overall global health.

Texas Biomed is the only independent, nonprofit infectious disease research institute in the U.S. to combine:

• The highest-level biocontainment labs for infectious disease and biodefense research
• A federally-designated National Primate Research Center
• More than 80 years of discoveries advancing diagnostics, vaccines and therapies
• An entrepreneurial culture and specialized expertise in regulated science required for FDA approval

What We Can Offer You:

• Recognized as one of the San Antonio Business Journal’s Best Places to Work in 2025.
• Awarded the 2024 Healthy Workplace Platinum Recognition by the San Antonio Business Group on Health (SABGH).
• Employee-centered culture focused on open communication, job empowerment, and trust.
• Comprehensive health, dental, vision, and life insurance plans for you and your family (including your pets!).
• Competitive employer-funded retirement plan with 6% contributions starting on day one, increasing with years of service.
• Generous paid time off, including 14 paid holidays and a paid Winter Recess (last week of December until New Year’s).
• On-site medical clinic, wellness incentives, and paid prescription drug resources to support your health.
• On-site gym and wellness programs to help you stay active.
• Flexible work arrangements designed to support work-life balance.
• We offer a relaxed dress code so you can feel comfortable and be yourself at work.
• Dynamic learning environment with professional development, mentorship, tuition reimbursement, and leadership programs to help you grow.

POTENTIAL HAZARDS: This work may involve exposure to toxic materials, compressed gases, weather-related work, radioactive materials, x-ray equipment, infectious agents (BSL-2, BSL-3, BSL-4), and medical waste. This work will involve laboratory animals. Employee may sit and stand for long periods of time. Employee will drive a motor vehicle on Texas Biomed business. May be required to work in high containment labs. Participation in a medical monitoring and surveillance program is required. Safety training, equipment, clothing, and supplies will be provided. Must be able to wear an air-purifying respirator in a proper manner and, if necessary, pass a respirator fitness test.

We take pride in fostering a culture of respect, opportunity, and unity! Texas Biomedical Research Institute provides equal employment opportunities for all qualified employees and applicants without regard to race, color, sex, religion, national origin, disability, veteran status, age, marital status, pregnancy, genetic information, or other legally protected status.