Research Associate - Fletcher Lab

Research Associate - Fletcher LabAs the Research Associate in the Fletcher Laboratory, you will independently lead research projects investigating the growth, physiology, colonization, and pathogenesis of Staphylococcus aureus. Your research will examine microbial interactions within the host gut microbiota and the bovine and caprine mammary environments, contributing to a greater understanding of bacterial behavior and host-pathogen interactions. In addition to directing research activities, you will support the laboratory's scientific operations through laboratory management, grant and manuscript development, regulatory compliance, and mentorship of junior researchers and trainees.Key Responsibilities:Primary Research & Project LeadershipExperimental Execution & Physiology: Characterize growth and biofilm dynamics of laboratory, clinical, and mutant strains of S. aureus. Perform murine intestinal colonization experiments to evaluate host-pathogen-microbiome interactions. Collect milk samples from dairy animals and conduct downstream analysis.Molecular & Cell Biology: Construct site-directed mutants and perform phenotypic characterization. Execute molecular biology assays including PCR, qRT-PCR, Western blotting, and electrophysiology/TEER assays.Omics & Microbiome Analysis: Perform and analyze -omics datasets, including RNA-seq, metabolomics, 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing, and metagenomics across clinical, host, and environmental samples.Isolate & Phage Discovery: Isolate and characterize S. aureus strains and bacteriophages from clinical, animal, milk, and environmental samples.Independently manage and drive research projects through to completion.Scientific Writing & Reporting: Draft, write, and revise peer-reviewed scientific manuscripts. Assist the Principal Investigator (PI) in drafting, editing, and assembling grant proposals and progress reports.Mentorship & Supervision: Directly mentor and train junior laboratory personnel, including undergraduate students, graduate students, veterinary summer scholars, and postdoctoral fellows. Provide technical guidance in experimental design, protocol execution, and data analysis.Regulatory Compliance & Biosafety: Maintain updated documentation, renewals, and protocol compliance for Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) paperwork. Manage Environmental Health and Safety Assistant (EHSA) paperwork, chemical/biological inventories, and laboratory safety compliance.Laboratory Operations & Biobank Management: Curate and maintain the lab's clinical isolate strain collection and phage biobank. Manage day-to-day laboratory ordering, vendor communications, and operational budget tracking.QualificationsMinimum Education and Experience - PhD with at least 3 years of postdoctoral experience. Experienced in eukaryotic cell biology, microbiology, genetics. All degrees must be received from appropriately accredited institutions.Other Required Qualifications - Extensive Molecular Biology & Assays: Proficient in PCR, qRT-PCR, Western blot, cloning, mutagenesis, DNA/RNA/protein extraction, and electrophysiology (TEER). Animal & Microbiology Research: Experienced in working with S. aureus, mouse handling and husbandry, and dairy cattle/cow research.Preferred Qualifications - Independent Leadership: 3+ years in an independent research position. Funding & Track Record: Proven record of securing external funding alongside a strong publication record as first and last author. Mentorship: Experience in mentoring junior trainees and laboratory personnel. Previous publication of multiple peer-reviewed research articles as first author