Postdoctoral Research Associate - Food Microbiology

Central State University, United States

Updated: 1 day ago
Location: Wilberforce, OHIO
Deadline: ;

Posting Details
Posting Details


Posting Number 0801563
Classification Title Postdoctoral Research Associate - Food Microbiology
Working Title
Department Agricultural Sciences
Department Contact Email [email protected]
Job Summary/Basic Function
JOB SUMMARY:
We are seeking a Postdoctoral Research Associate specializing in food microbiology safety to work on pathogen study projects focused on pre-harvest fresh produce safety, especially those grown in aquaponic and hydroponic systems. The position involves agricultural, food science, and microbiological collaborative projects located at CSU campus in Wilberforce, Ohio. The main goal of our food safety studies is to improve food safety and reduce foodborne illness by examining the routes of contamination of fruits and vegetables with human pathogens. Under guidance from the CSU project directors, the participant will help in designing and conducting all aspects of the experiments from laboratory to growth chambers, greenhouse, and fields trials. The participant will learn methods to reduce bacterial pathogen loads contamination, integrated data collection and analysis, and novel methods to isolate and maintain microbial cells and nucleic acids. This is an integrated produce safety research project, and the participant will have opportunities to learn and participate in our food safety extensions programs.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES:
  • Participates in and coordinates: microbiological research and field research project design.
  • Leads experiment execution, sampling, data analysis, reporting, and publication preparation.
  • Help design and implement research protocols and coordinate research studies focusing on human pathogenic bacteria microbiome, biofilms, and fungi in aquaponic and hydroponic systems.
  • Assist as needed to analyze water samples for microbiological quality from the CSU extension stakeholder’s farmers and industries in states of Ohio and Michigan.
  • Carry out Bioinformatics analysis.
  • Evaluation of microbiological quality of the fresh produce in local agricultural and food production systems.
  • Perform food microbiology research reviews.
  • Supervision research assistant students in the laboratory.
  • Contribute to development and improvement of the CSU food safety sanitation and good agricultural practices training programs:
    • Good Agricultural Practices (GAP)
    • Hazard Analysis Control Points (HACCP)
    • Food and Safety Modernization Act (FSMA)

  • Cooperate with the lab technicians to oversee media preparation, culture management, bioassay studies in growth chambers and greenhouse studies maintenance, experiment media and reagent quality control analysis.
  • Perform microbiological and molecular analysis using culturing, DNA & RNA extractions, PCR, and qPCR techniques.
  • Collect, analyze, and report research data for presentations in farmers’ seminars and research conferences, and for manuscript preparation.
  • Ability to adapt and apply academic/practical knowledge to conduct microbiological research on foods and food systems including water quality analysis required.
  • Strong background in food microbiology experience particularly working with human pathogenic bacteria, experience working with technologies such as bioinformatics, R-studio; experience designing and leading research experiments, supervising undergraduate student research assistants, and analyzing data and manuscript preparation desired.
Minimum Qualifications
A Ph.D., in Microbiology, Food Safety, or Food Science & Technology or equivalent education experience in a related field.
Preferred Qualifications
Posting Date 03/07/2024
Closing Date
Open Until Filled Yes
Special Instructions to Applicants
This is a full-time position funded by annual allocation by National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) through the Evans Allen Program with matching contributions from the State of Ohio.
The appointment will initially be for two years but may be renewed upon recommendation of CSU project directors and is contingent on the performance and availability of funds. 
Position Category
Budgeted Annual Salary $51,000

Similar Positions