Open positions
Open positions
Postdoctoral associates
Postdoctoral associates
[Updated December 10, 2024]
[Updated December 10, 2024]
The Tessier lab has three open postdoc positions related to antibody engineering, bispecific antibodies (brain shuttles), delivery of bispecific antibodies to the central nervous system (CNS), and evaluation of pharmacokinetics, biodistribution, and efficacy of CNS-targeted bispecific antibodies that deliver payloads ranging from gene silencing agents (ASOs and siRNA) to small proteins (cytokines) and IgGs (agonists and antagonists). The projects build on our recent report of brain shuttles that target transferrin receptor (TfR-1) and CD98hc and are efficiently delivered to the brain parenchyma (link). Our TfR-1 and CD98hc shuttles have unique advantages – including fast and maximal brain uptake for TfR-1 shuttles and extended brain retention of CD98hc shuttles – and are the basis for the open projects. The field of brain shuttling using bispecific antibodies is rapidly growing due to their potential for improving CNS delivery of biologics that otherwise poorly penetrate the blood-brain barrier (BBB), and these projects would position postdocs for exciting future career opportunities in industry, academia, and government agencies.
The Tessier lab has three open postdoc positions related to antibody engineering, bispecific antibodies (brain shuttles), delivery of bispecific antibodies to the central nervous system (CNS), and evaluation of pharmacokinetics, biodistribution, and efficacy of CNS-targeted bispecific antibodies that deliver payloads ranging from gene silencing agents (ASOs and siRNA) to small proteins (cytokines) and IgGs (agonists and antagonists). The projects build on our recent report of brain shuttles that target transferrin receptor (TfR-1) and CD98hc and are efficiently delivered to the brain parenchyma (link). Our TfR-1 and CD98hc shuttles have unique advantages – including fast and maximal brain uptake for TfR-1 shuttles and extended brain retention of CD98hc shuttles – and are the basis for the open projects. The field of brain shuttling using bispecific antibodies is rapidly growing due to their potential for improving CNS delivery of biologics that otherwise poorly penetrate the blood-brain barrier (BBB), and these projects would position postdocs for exciting future career opportunities in industry, academia, and government agencies.
In Project #1, we seek candidates interested in antibody engineering using phage and yeast-surface display for generating and affinity maturing antibodies specific for BBB and CNS targets, combining them into bispecific antibodies, and evaluating them in vitro and in vivo. This project will provide opportunities to develop expertise in generating antibody libraries, performing phage and yeast surface display selections, conducting deep sequencing, bioinformatics and machine learning analysis, protein production and purification, and characterization of antibody affinity, specificity, and other biophysical properties. Candidates with molecular biology and biochemistry experience are of particular interest, although candidates with either type of experience are also of interest. However, no previous experience with protein or antibody engineering is required.
In Project #1, we seek candidates interested in antibody engineering using phage and yeast-surface display for generating and affinity maturing antibodies specific for BBB and CNS targets, combining them into bispecific antibodies, and evaluating them in vitro and in vivo. This project will provide opportunities to develop expertise in generating antibody libraries, performing phage and yeast surface display selections, conducting deep sequencing, bioinformatics and machine learning analysis, protein production and purification, and characterization of antibody affinity, specificity, and other biophysical properties. Candidates with molecular biology and biochemistry experience are of particular interest, although candidates with either type of experience are also of interest. However, no previous experience with protein or antibody engineering is required.
In Projects #2 and #3, we seek candidates interested in the in vivo evaluation of antibody brain shuttles, including their pharmacokinetics, organ and cellular biodistribution, and efficacy in preclinical models. These projects will involve delivering gene silencing agents (ASOs and siRNAs) in Project #2 and proteins (cytokines and IgGs) in Project #3 for applications in neurodegenerative diseases. This research will provide opportunities to develop expertise in protein production and purification, pharmacokinetics analysis using radiotracing, biodistribution in brain and spinal cord using imaging methods, and analysis of efficacy in different preclinical models of neurodegenerative diseases. Candidates experienced with biochemistry methods and handling animals such as mice are of particular interest, although candidates with either type of experience are also of interest. However, no previous experience with protein or antibody therapeutics or their analysis in vivo is required.
In Projects #2 and #3, we seek candidates interested in the in vivo evaluation of antibody brain shuttles, including their pharmacokinetics, organ and cellular biodistribution, and efficacy in preclinical models. These projects will involve delivering gene silencing agents (ASOs and siRNAs) in Project #2 and proteins (cytokines and IgGs) in Project #3 for applications in neurodegenerative diseases. This research will provide opportunities to develop expertise in protein production and purification, pharmacokinetics analysis using radiotracing, biodistribution in brain and spinal cord using imaging methods, and analysis of efficacy in different preclinical models of neurodegenerative diseases. Candidates experienced with biochemistry methods and handling animals such as mice are of particular interest, although candidates with either type of experience are also of interest. However, no previous experience with protein or antibody therapeutics or their analysis in vivo is required.
Interested candidates should email Dr. Tessier (ptessier@umich.edu) and provide a CV and the names of three references with email addresses.
Interested candidates should email Dr. Tessier (ptessier@umich.edu) and provide a CV and the names of three references with email addresses.
Doctoral students
Doctoral students
The Tessier lab has multiple doctoral openings for projects involving protein/antibody engineering, antibody drug discovery and development, antibody biophysical and developability (drug-like property) analysis, bionanotechnology and molecular imaging. Interested candidates should directly contact the Tessier lab (email: ptessier@umich.edu).
The Tessier lab has multiple doctoral openings for projects involving protein/antibody engineering, antibody drug discovery and development, antibody biophysical and developability (drug-like property) analysis, bionanotechnology and molecular imaging. Interested candidates should directly contact the Tessier lab (email: ptessier@umich.edu).
Undergraduate students
Undergraduate students
The Tessier lab has openings for projects involving protein/antibody engineering, antibody drug discovery and development, antibody biophysical and developability analysis, bionanotechnology and molecular imaging. Interested candidates pursuing engineering, science or mathematics degrees with GPAs >3.6 should contact the Tessier lab between Aug 15-Sept 15, Dec 15-Jan 15 and Mar 15-Apr 15 to apply for open positions (email contact: Neelan Sivaneri, neelans@umich.edu).
The Tessier lab has openings for projects involving protein/antibody engineering, antibody drug discovery and development, antibody biophysical and developability analysis, bionanotechnology and molecular imaging. Interested candidates pursuing engineering, science or mathematics degrees with GPAs >3.6 should contact the Tessier lab between Aug 15-Sept 15, Dec 15-Jan 15 and Mar 15-Apr 15 to apply for open positions (email contact: Neelan Sivaneri, neelans@umich.edu).