Postdoctoral Research Associate

About the role

The Postdoctoral Research Associate will investigate bacterial stress responses and multispecies biofilm ecology that drive persistence of zoonotic foodborne pathogens, and evaluate pre‑harvest interventions to reduce these pathogens in beef and dairy production systems.

Key responsibilities

• Design, conduct, and troubleshoot controlled experiments on bacterial stress responses, multispecies biofilm models, and pathogen persistence.
• Process environmental and animal‑source samples, prepare 16S and shotgun metagenomics libraries, and perform downstream analysis in R or Python.
• Plan and support field sampling in production settings, coordinating with collaborators.
• Maintain detailed records, contribute to laboratory data management, and mentor graduate and undergraduate students.
• Lead and co‑author peer‑reviewed manuscripts, reports, and conference presentations; assist with grant reporting and proposal preparation.

Required profile

• PhD in microbiology, microbial ecology, or a related field, or equivalent research experience.
• Hands‑on experience with bacterial culture and general molecular microbiology techniques.
• Ability to design and run controlled experiments independently with careful documentation.
• Strong scientific writing and communication skills; ability to multitask and work cooperatively.

Required skills

• Experience with 16S and shotgun metagenomics sequencing.
• Proficiency in data analysis using R or Python.
• Knowledge of microbiome analysis and biofilm model systems.

What we offer

• Competitive salary commensurate with qualifications.
• Health, dental, vision, life and long‑term disability insurance.
• Paid holidays, sick leave, and vacation time.
• Automatic enrollment in the Teacher Retirement System of Texas.
• Professional development resources including Aspire, LinkedIn Learning, and internal programs.