Post-Doctoral Associate

Postdoctoral Position in Microbiology

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:

• Ongoing project is focused on 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: handing 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.

Physical Demands:

• 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.

Preferences:

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

Required Application Materials:

• Cover letter, CV, transcript, list of three references

Best Consideration Date: 11/7/2026

Posting Close Date: Open Until Filled

Department: AGNR-Animal & Avian Sciences

Worker Sub-Type: Faculty Regular

Salary Range: $55,000 - $65,000

For more information on Regular Faculty benefits, select this link.

Offers of employment are contingent on completion of a background check. Information reported by the background check will not automatically disqualify anyone from employment. Before any adverse decision, the finalist will have an opportunity to provide information to the University regarding disclosable background check information. The University reserves the right to rescind the offer of employment or otherwise decline or terminate employment if the information reported by the background check is deemed incompatible with the position, regardless of when the background check is completed.

The successful candidate must complete employment eligibility verification (on Form I-9) by presenting documents that establish identity and work authorization within the timeframe required by federal immigration law, and where applicable, to demonstrate renewed employment authorization. Failure to complete employment eligibility verification or reverification within the timeframe set forth by law may result in suspension or termination of employment.

The University of Maryland, College Park is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive equal consideration for employment. Please read the University's Equal Employment Opportunity Statement of Policy.