Careers at RetroVirox, Inc.


Vision Statement


Our vision is to create novel products that improve the quality of life of patients affected with chronic and acute infectious diseases. Our company has joined efforts from the academic and industry fields to develop small-molecule inhibitors with anti-viral properties. We are passionate about our work, fostering a creative and intellectually challenging team-oriented environment.


The Company recruits leading scientists and other staff in diverse fields to support our preclinical discovery and biology efforts, including molecular virology, immunology, and synthetic medicinal chemistry. If you believe you fit these backgrounds, are driven to make an impact in human health, and have the enthusiasm to join a fast-pace company, we would like to hear from you.


While job openings are made public in this site (below), we welcome unsolicited applications from any qualified individuals in the drug-discovery and virology fields, currently the key expertises we seek to expand in the company are:


  1. Molecular Virology and in-vitro antiviral testing

  2. Viral Immunology

  3. High-Throughput Screening of small-molecules with antiviral and other activities

  4. Medicinal chemistry and preclinical biology

  5. High Content Flow Cytometry

  6. Laboratory Management

  7. Data Analysis and IT support


RetroVirox is an Affirmative Action / Equal Opportunity employer. The company offers positions with competitive salaries and health insurance benefits. To inquire about joining our team, please submit your resume, via email as a single PDF file and include a brief statement of your qualifications and career goals  ( email us at careers@retrovirox.com).


Open Positions (March 2016)


Molecular Virology-Immunology Scientist  (full-time position)

Job Description


RetroVirox is seeking scientists with broad experience in optimization of cell-based antiviral and immunological assays for the screening of HIV immunomodulators. You will characterize the activity of small-molecules with in vitro and ex-vivo assays and determine their ability to enhance CTL-mediated cell killing and block HIV replication. You will be expected to work with minimal supervision, display excellent technical and communication skills, and demonstrate problem-solving abilities and innovative approaches. The candidate is expected to allocate about 75-80% of his/her effort to hands-on work. This position is available immediately and eligible to US citizens and permanent residents authorized to work in the USA.


Responsibilities


These are hands-on position, with an estimated 75-80% of the time working in a BSL2/3 laboratory with infectious HIV. Duties of the successful candidates will include: 


  1. Engineer, optimize and validate cell-based assays for in vitro screening of antivirals and evaluation of HIV immunomodulators

  2. Perform immunological and antiviral screens using primary cells and live HIV infectious virus

  3. Analyze and present data internally and also to collaborators and funding agencies

  4. Coordinate the in-house biology work the with medicinal chemistry SAR efforts, and with laboratories providing other supports

  5. Prepare SOP protocols and abide to GLP guidelines in the laboratory

  6. Support grant writing efforts


Requirements


  1. Ph.D. in Molecular Biology, Biochemistry, Microbiology, Immunology or related field with 2+ years industry experience with cell-based assays, ideally against antiviral and/or immunological assays. Alternatively a proven track record of experience in the academic field working on this field.

  2. Strong technical skills in cell-based assay development, including optimization, validation, and data interpretation.

  3. Experience handling infectious HIV and other human viruses under BSL2+/BSL3 conditions.

  4. Experience with the early-stage drug discovery and preclinical  development process.

  5. Experience with CTL-mediated cell killing assays or other immunology assays to evaluate the activity of HIV immunomodulators

  6. Excellent abilities to create written protocols, follow GLP guidelines, record and share data in oral presentations.

  7. Advanced knowledge of data-analysis software is required (including excel and prism).

  8. Knowledge of flow cytometry and related software is a plus.



Submit application


Applications are accepted only electronically. Submit your CV by email at careers@retrovirox.com. Add the words “Virology/Immunology scientist” to the email subject line. All applications must be submitted as one single PDF file no longer than 5 pages, including a first page with a brief application letter with a summary of your qualifications, and a final page with names and email addresses of three references from former supervisors.


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Data Analysis  (part-time internship position, 2016-17)

Job Description


The company is seeking a part-time intern to support the data analysis efforts of our internal discovery programs funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIAID). On a monthly basis hundreds of experimental molecules are tested at RetroVirox to determine their antiviral and immunomodulatory activities using a variety of biological tests, including high content assays. The assay readouts generate vast amounts of data that require analysis and interpretation to guide the structure activity relationship (SAR) efforts currently ongoing at the company. We are seeking highly proactive candidates able to handle large quantities of data and interpreting their results. This is a paid position.


Responsibilities


  1. Analyze biological data derived from flow cytometry and other data readouts

  2. Interpret data and present in written format to supervisor

  3. Follow specific SOP procedures to analyze data and identify errors

  4. Assist scientists in the company with their data analysis efforts


Requirements


  1. Being enrolled in studies in one of the local universities in the San Diego area in the fields of Biology, Bioinformatics, Medicine, or Engineering

  2. Excellent Microsoft Excel (Advanced or Professional) software skills

  3. Ability to learn other complex softwares required for data analysis (flow cytometry, graphPad Prism)

  4. Previous experience in a biological laboratory or with data analysis of complex biological processes

  5. Candidates must be available to work at the company’s facilities for segments of 3-4 hours a day for at least 3 days per week and have reliable transportation means to come to our facilities


Submit application


Only electronic applications will be accepted. Submit your CV by email at careers@retrovirox.com. All applications must be submitted as a single PDF file no longer than 3 pages Including a brief application letter with  a summary of your expertise relevant to this position (add the words “Data Analysis Intern” to the email subject line).


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Medicinal Chemistry and Database Support  (part-time internship position, 2016-17)

Job Description


The company is seeking a part-time intern to support the medicinal chemistry efforts for the Company’s internal discovery programs funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIAID). Hundreds of experimental molecules are synthesized at RetroVirox to determine their antiviral and immunomodulatory activities. These small-molecules are recorded in a chemistry database and their activity and structure relationships used to guide future medicinal chemistry efforts. We are seeking highly proactive candidates able to handle the chemistry database of the company and input their information on a customized database. This is a paid position.


Responsibilities


  1. Log the new small-molecules synthesized at RetroVirox

  2. Input NMR, chemical and biological properties in the database and use a variety of formats searchable for the scientists

  3. Follow specific SOP procedures to enter and analyze data and identify errors and glitches in the database

  4. Assist scientists in the company with their database operations and coordinate efforts with the synthetic medicinal chemistry team


Requirements


  1. Being enrolled in undergraduate studies in one of the local universities in the San Diego area in the fields of Chemistry or Biochemistry

  2. Ability to learn the use of the company’s chemistry database (JChem-based) and use other chemistry softwares as needed (Marvin, Chemdraw, Scifinder)

  3. Excellent Microsoft Excel (Advanced or Professional) software skills

  4. Previous experience in a Chemistry or Biology laboratory is a plus

  5. Candidates must be available to work at the company’s facilities for segments of 2-3 hours a day for at least 3 days per week and have reliable transportation means to come to our facilities


Submit application


Only electronic applications will be accepted. Submit your CV by email at careers@retrovirox.com. All applications must be submitted as a single PDF file no longer than 3 pages Including a brief application letter with  a summary of your expertise relevant to this position (add the words “Chemistry Intern” to the email subject line).


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Other Internship Opportunities for Local University Students (part-time positions)

RetroVirox maintains a year-long internship program and encourages applications from undergraduate and graduate students at local Universities who want to expand their experience working in a fast-pace results driven Biotechnology company. The ultimate goal of our internship program is to identify brilliant candidates interested in pursuing careers in the fascinating fields of Drug Discovery, Biotechnology and Life Sciences research. We seek internship candidates demonstrating outstanding skills, responsiveness, and exceptional organizational qualities.


Internship opportunities may be advertised at Career websites of local Universities. Nevertheless, unsolicited applications are welcome year-long on the following topics:


  1. Medicinal Chemistry

  2. General laboratory management and assistance to RetroVirox scientists

  3. Data analysis

  4. IT support

  5. Administration and bookkeeping support


Requirements


Specific requirements vary with the nature of the topic of the internship. A passion and interest in exploring the field of Biomedical Sciences or in pursuing careers in Biotechnology are expected among our interns. Previous experience in Biotechnology or laboratory settings is required for most of our internships. Interns at RetroVirox are given specific assignments and responsibilities and they are expected to be highly responsive, demonstrate professional work ethics at all times and report to their supervisors on weekly basis. Even though we understand the importance of interns to commit to their academic efforts and classroom attendance, all interns are expected to:


  1. Have reliable transportation means to come to our facilities

  2. Be able to commit at least 15h a week, three or four days a week

  3. Have excellent communication skills


Submit application


Internship applications are only accepted electronically. Submit your CV by email at careers@retrovirox.com. Add the words “Internship” to the email subject line and include the topic of the internship (e.g. “Medicinal Chemistry”, “Laboratory”, “Data Analysis”, etc.) All applications must be submitted as a single PDF file no longer than 3 pages, including a first page with a brief application letter with a summary of your qualifications relevant to this position.