Post-Doctoral Associate

Postdoctoral Position in Animal & Avian Sciences

A postdoctoral position is available to isolate/detect bacterial/viral (both human and animal) pathogens using both traditional culture and molecular techniques and develop and validate natural antimicrobials against the isolated bacterial pathogens and improve animal health and immunity to prevent colonization of bacterial and/or viral pathogens.

Responsibilities include maintaining the animal research facility, specifically poultry, housing and raising, health and behavior monitoring, challenged with pathogenic bacteria/virus and their colonization ability, pathogens, measuring the immunity, and compare the gut microbiome composition between treated (with natural antimicrobial) and non-treated groups. In addition, candidates need to generate bacterial mutants by adding or deleting bacterial genes. The candidate needs to work with infectious agents and should have the ability to function independently and contribute to data analysis, manuscript preparation, grant writing and helping undergraduate and graduate students.

Minimum Qualifications: Candidates must have a Ph.D. degree in microbiology, animal science or poultry science. A strong background in technical skills in the following areas is required: handling BSL-2 pathogens, housing and raising animals specifically poultry, necroscopy, euthanizing and sacrificing animals, mucosal biology, microbiological culture, and molecular techniques (such as gene cloning and expression, RT-PCR, qRT-PCR), mammalian cell culture, confocal microscopy, protein purification and characterization. Candidates should have some experience of working with animal models such chicken, mice etc.

Preferred Qualifications: A Ph.D. degree in microbiology, animal science or poultry science earned recently is preferred.

Physical Demands of the Position: This position requires the lifting and moving of moderately weighted goods (20-50 lbs., for example, Centrifuge Rotors) up to 25 feet, operating tissue culture cells or zebrafish tanks, and utilizing hazardous chemicals, radioisotopes, and compressed gases. While performing the duties within this job, the employee frequently is required to maneuver, handle, or feel objects, tools, or instrument controls. The position also requires prolonged periods of standing to include maneuvering obstacles which may require stooping, kneeling, crouching, or crawling and accessing necessary tools and objects. Furthermore, the employee is regularly required to operate a computer. To operate specific lab equipment, the employee must utilize devices and make observations from diverse angles of perception: adjusting exploratory and imaging devices as needed. Employees may work in conditions with fluctuating temperatures, including spaces up to 83 F for extended periods.

Required Application Materials:

• Cover letter
• CV
• Official transcript
• List of three references

Best Consideration Date: 8/1/2026

Open Until Filled: Yes