Postdoctoral Scholar in Microbiology: Join San Diego State University’s Roach Lab for an exciting postdoctoral scholar position focusing on the study of infectious diseases and bacteriophages. The lab investigates tripartite interactions between bacteria, phages, and human hosts using innovative disease models, including pre-clinical and clinical development of phage therapies. This position offers an opportunity to contribute to modern bioanalytics with biofilm-on-chip microfluidics research and investigate phage growth parameters in physiological conditions. The successful candidate will collaborate with a diverse interdisciplinary team, gain expertise in genetics, molecular biology, and infectious disease models, and contribute to grant preparation and reporting.
Summary Table:
- Designation: Postdoctoral Scholar
- Research Area: Microbiology and Infectious Diseases
- Location: San Diego State University
- Eligibility/Qualification: PhD in microbiology, molecular biology, bioengineering, or a related field (within the last 1-3 years)
- Job Description: Conduct research on biofilm-on-chip microfluidics and phage growth parameters in physiological conditions. Collaborate with interdisciplinary team, develop expertise in genetics and molecular biology, prepare and present research findings, assist with grant preparation and reporting.
- How to Apply: Email CV and cover letter to Dr. Dwayne Roach at dwayne.roach@sdsu.edu
- Last Date for Apply: Rolling applications, open as of June 2023
Job Description: In the first open role, you will contribute to the development of modern bioanalytics with biofilm-on-chip microfluidics research. The focus will be on studying the influence of hydrodynamic flow and phage lytic forces on biofilms. The goal is to gain a comprehensive understanding of phage-natural-state biofilm interactions under physiologically-relevant conditions to reveal new anti-biofilm formations and structures.
In the second open role, you will investigate the impact of facultative aerobic hosts growing under physiological oxygen conditions of the human body on phage growth parameters. Additionally, you will work on developing a commercially viable technology for high-throughput environmental isolation and pre-characterization of phages against multidrug-resistant bacteria. This involves building a miniaturized and ruggedized system for targeted phage filtration and propagation directly from environmental samples.
As a postdoctoral scholar, you will closely collaborate with wet-lab and dry-lab students and staff. You will develop expertise in bacterial and phage genetics, molecular biology, biochemical methods, and infectious disease models. Organizing results for presentation and publication, as well as assisting with grant preparation and reporting, will be part of your responsibilities.
Qualifications:
- PhD in microbiology, molecular biology, bioengineering, or a related field (within the last 1-3 years)
- Excellent oral and written communication skills, including the ability to organize and present technical reports and a proven track record of recent or pending scientific publications
- Demonstrated interpersonal skills and experience collaborating with a diverse interdisciplinary research team
Preferred Qualifications:
- Expertise in microbiology and molecular biology
- Excellent written and oral communication skills in English
- Experience with bacteriophages (desirable, but not required)
- Experience with biofilms (project specific, desirable but not required)
- Experience with bioinformatics (desirable, but not required)
- Experience in research and development (not required)
How to Apply: Please email your CV and cover letter detailing past related research experience and why you are interested in this position to Dr. Dwayne Roach at dwayne.roach@sds
