Post-Doctoral Associate

University of Maryland, United States

Updated: about 4 hours ago
Location: College Park, MARYLAND
Deadline: ;

Posting Details
Posting Details


Position Number: 129438
Title: Post-Doctoral Associate
Functional Title: Post-Doctoral Associate
Category Status: 15-Fac.Non-Tenured,Continuing Con
Applicant Search Category: Faculty
University Authorized FTE: 100
Unit: AGNR-Dean-Joint Inst for Food Safety & Applied Nutrition
Campus/College Information:
Founded in 1856, University of Maryland, College Park is the state’s flagship institution. Our 1,250-acre College Park campus is just minutes away from Washington, D.C., and the nexus of the nation’s legislative, executive, and judicial centers of power. This unique proximity to business and technology leaders, federal departments and agencies, and a myriad of research entities, embassies, think tanks, cultural centers, and non-profit organizations is simply unparalleled. Synergistic opportunities for our faculty and students abound and are virtually limitless in the nation’s capital and surrounding areas. The University is committed to attracting and retaining outstanding and diverse faculty and staff that will enhance our stature of preeminence in our three missions of teaching, scholarship, and full engagement in our community, the state of Maryland, and in the world.
Background Checks
Offers of employment are contingent on completion of a background check. Information reported by the background check will not automatically disqualify you from employment.
Position Summary/Purpose of Position:
JIFSAN, a joint program of the University of Maryland and the U.S. FDA, is seeking a full-time Post-Doctoral Associate position within the FDA Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition (CFSAN). The incumbent will participate in applied regulatory research studying the potential for marine and freshwater natural toxin contamination in FDA-regulated products. The primary focus will be on freshwater cyanotoxins in products that either include cyanobacteria or extracts of cyanobacteria (e.g., foods and dietary supplements), or are exposed to cyanobacteria or cyanotoxin-contaminated waters during their production (e.g., seafood and produce).
Specific Aims
1. Apply biological, chemical, and/or toxicological knowledge and experience to the assessment of foods, dietary supplements, or other applicable FDA-regulated products for potential contamination with marine and freshwater natural toxins.
2. Serve as a resource to staff and stakeholders (e.g., other government agencies, general public) regarding biology, chemistry, and/or toxicology of marine and freshwater natural toxins.
3. Gain a comprehensive understanding of, and stay current with, issues associated with marine and freshwater natural toxins in FDA-regulated products by participating in training/development opportunities, reviewing the scientific literature, and attending conferences.
4. Work closely with other subject matter experts in the field to identify and close technical knowledge gaps.
5. Lead the preparation and presentation of scientific findings at meetings/conferences.
6. Publish findings in the scientific literature.
Position Summary:
Successful candidates for this research position will be responsible for utilizing biological, chemical, and/or toxicological knowledge and experience to inform scientific and regulatory decisions regarding the safety of FDA-regulated products from contamination with marine and freshwater natural toxins. The primary focus of this research opportunity will be on products containing freshwater cyanobacteria or extracts of cyanobacteria directly or are exposed to cyanobacteria or cyanotoxin contaminated waters during their production. Additional opportunities to participate in research related to marine natural toxins (i.e. saxitoxin, domoic acid, okadaic acid, etc.) will also be possible. Specific duties will include method development and validation, as well as potential product screening in a range of FDA-regulated products. Candidates will have the opportunity to interact with a variety of state and Federal agencies within their area of study.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
1. Develop, validate, and/or transfer methods of analysis for marine and freshwater natural toxins in FDA-regulated products. (50%)
2. Screen various FDA-regulated products for the presence of marine and freshwater natural toxins for risk assessment purposes. (20%)
2. Perform studies to better understand the uptake, depuration, and persistence of marine and freshwater natural toxins in FDA-regulated products. (20%)
4. Present data at meetings and publish research findings in peer-reviewed journals (10%)
Benefits Summary Top Benefits and Perks:

Faculty Benefits Summary

Minimum Qualifications:
Education:
  • Ph.D. degree in Biology, Food Science, Chemistry, Toxicology or a related field.


Experience:
  • Hands-on experience with methods of analysis for marine and freshwater natural toxins including LC-MS/MS.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
  • Previous experience or knowledge of the principles of method development and validation, working knowledge of the sources, chemistry, and/or toxicology of marine and freshwater natural toxins, including those produced by harmful cyanobacteria (i.e., microcystins, anatoxins, cylindrospermopsin, and saxitoxin),.
  • Strong written and oral communication skills.
Preferences:
Preferences:
  • Hands-on experience with methods of analysis for marine and freshwater natural toxins including ELISA, or in-vitro assays such as cytotoxicity, receptor binding assays, enzyme inhibition assays, etc.
Additional Certifications:
Additional Information:
Posting Date: 05/10/2024
Closing Date:
Open Until Filled Yes
Best Consideration Date 05/31/2024
Physical Demands
  • Predominantly sedentary work in a laboratory setting.
  • Exerting up to 20 pounds of force occasionally and/or negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects.
  • Repetitive motions.
  • Substantial movements (motions) of the wrists, hands, and/or fingers.
  • The worker is required to have close visual acuity to perform an activity such as: preparing, manipulating, and analyzing samples in a laboratory setting; analyzing data and figures; transcribing; viewing a computer terminal; extensive reading.
  • Moving about to accomplish tasks or moving from one worksite to another.
  • Ability to use analytical instrumentation and computers in a laboratory environment.
Diversity Statement:
The University of Maryland, College Park, an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer, complies with all applicable federal and state laws and regulations regarding nondiscrimination and affirmative action; all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment. The University is committed to a policy of equal opportunity for all persons and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, physical or mental disability, protected veteran status, age, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, creed, marital status, political affiliation, personal appearance, or on the basis of rights secured by the First Amendment, in all aspects of employment, educational programs and activities, and admissions.

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