Postodoc in Environmental Microbiology and Antibiotic Resistance

Position Title:
Postodoc in Environmental Microbiology and Antibiotic Resistance

Appointment Type:
Post Doc/Trainee

Job Description:
Summary of Duties and Responsibilities:

We announce one full time postdoctoral position (2 years, conditional with renewal) within the Genomics and Environmental Research in Microbial Systems (GERMS) and Water Research Quality Laboratory research groups led by Drs Adina Howe and Michelle Soupir in the Department of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering.  The focus of our research groups is the sustainable development and management of our land and water resources.  This position seeks an individual to participate in research about the emergence and persistence of antibiotic resistance associated with agriculture and its fate and transport into the environment.  Our research group is a multi-disciplinary team that integrates numerous expertise to tackle complex dynamics that connect agricultural practices and management, microbiology, water quality, and soil health.   We collaborate directly with the ISU Extension and other institutions to promote the impact of our research. 

The growing numbers of antibiotic resistant bacteria and our ability to effectively use antibiotics is recognized as a global threat to human health. A significant amount of antibiotic usage is associated with animal production, where antibiotics are used to treat diseases.  As such, agricultural sources have emerged an important source and dissemination route for antibiotic resistance into the environment.  The recognition of agricultural sources to the spread of antibiotic resistance is also integrated into the concept of One Health, which acknowledges the connections we share to the environment and the contribution of human, animal, and environmental sectors.    Our research investigates agriculture’s connection to the challenge and solutions of antibiotic resistance.

We are now looking for a postdoc who is interested in helping to lead projects where we explore various dimensions of antibiotic resistance, especially it’s intersects with agriculture.  The postdoctoral researcher is expected to conduct experimental research, identify indicators of antibiotic resistance in the environment, and participate in monitoring antimicrobial resistance in different environments.  The research may also involve other aspects regarding the selection, evolution, presence and transmission of antibiotic resistance, as part of other ongoing projects within the research group.  Experience with environmental sampling, culturing of bacteria, resistance phenotyping, functional metagenomics, gene expression studies in bacteria, various methods related to recombinant DNA-technology such as vector construction, cloning and induced constitutive and inducible expression of exogenous proteins in bacteria, gene-knockout, PCR-based quantification of genes, bioinformatic analyses of DNA-sequence data would be valuable. Within our research team, we have expertise on bioinformatics,  microbiology, molecular biology, engineering, data science, and environmental sciences, and we collaborate closely with analytical chemists as well as with scientists in the natural science domain. The work is expected to be highly collaborative.  We expect this postdoctoral research to lead authoring/co- authoring of scientific publications and present research at scientific conferences.

Proposed Start Date:
August 1, 2021

Proposed End Date or Length of Term:
July 31, 2022

Number of Months Employed Per Year:
12 Month Work Period

Time Type:
Full time

Application Instructions:

To apply for this position, please click on “Apply” and complete the Employment Application. Please be prepared to enter or attach the following:

1) Resume/Curriculum Vitae

2) Letter of Application/Cover Letter

3) Contact Information for Three References

The candidate selected for hire may be requested to provide documentation to verify highest degree completed.
 

If you have questions regarding this application process, please email [email protected] or call 515-294-4800 or Toll Free: 1-877-477-7485.

Original Posting Date:
July 21, 2021

Posting Close Date:
August 21, 2021

Job Requisition Number:
R5689

Position Information:

Position Title:
Postodoc in Environmental Microbiology and Antibiotic Resistance

Appointment Type:
Post Doc/Trainee

Job Description:
Summary of Duties and Responsibilities:

We announce one full time postdoctoral position (2 years, conditional with renewal) within the Genomics and Environmental Research in Microbial Systems (GERMS) and Water Research Quality Laboratory research groups led by Drs Adina Howe and Michelle Soupir in the Department of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering.  The focus of our research groups is the sustainable development and management of our land and water resources.  This position seeks an individual to participate in research about the emergence and persistence of antibiotic resistance associated with agriculture and its fate and transport into the environment.  Our research group is a multi-disciplinary team that integrates numerous expertise to tackle complex dynamics that connect agricultural practices and management, microbiology, water quality, and soil health.   We collaborate directly with the ISU Extension and other institutions to promote the impact of our research. 

The growing numbers of antibiotic resistant bacteria and our ability to effectively use antibiotics is recognized as a global threat to human health. A significant amount of antibiotic usage is associated with animal production, where antibiotics are used to treat diseases.  As such, agricultural sources have emerged an important source and dissemination route for antibiotic resistance into the environment.  The recognition of agricultural sources to the spread of antibiotic resistance is also integrated into the concept of One Health, which acknowledges the connections we share to the environment and the contribution of human, animal, and environmental sectors.    Our research investigates agriculture’s connection to the challenge and solutions of antibiotic resistance.

We are now looking for a postdoc who is interested in helping to lead projects where we explore various dimensions of antibiotic resistance, especially it’s intersects with agriculture.  The postdoctoral researcher is expected to conduct experimental research, identify indicators of antibiotic resistance in the environment, and participate in monitoring antimicrobial resistance in different environments.  The research may also involve other aspects regarding the selection, evolution, presence and transmission of antibiotic resistance, as part of other ongoing projects within the research group.  Experience with environmental sampling, culturing of bacteria, resistance phenotyping, functional metagenomics, gene expression studies in bacteria, various methods related to recombinant DNA-technology such as vector construction, cloning and induced constitutive and inducible expression of exogenous proteins in bacteria, gene-knockout, PCR-based quantification of genes, bioinformatic analyses of DNA-sequence data would be valuable. Within our research team, we have expertise on bioinformatics,  microbiology, molecular biology, engineering, data science, and environmental sciences, and we collaborate closely with analytical chemists as well as with scientists in the natural science domain. The work is expected to be highly collaborative.  We expect this postdoctoral research to lead authoring/co- authoring of scientific publications and present research at scientific conferences.

Proposed Start Date:
August 1, 2021

Proposed End Date or Length of Term:
July 31, 2022

Number of Months Employed Per Year:
12 Month Work Period

Time Type:
Full time

Application Instructions:

To apply for this position, please click on “Apply” and complete the Employment Application. Please be prepared to enter or attach the following:

1) Resume/Curriculum Vitae

2) Letter of Application/Cover Letter

3) Contact Information for Three References

The candidate selected for hire may be requested to provide documentation to verify highest degree completed.
 

If you have questions regarding this application process, please email [email protected] or call 515-294-4800 or Toll Free: 1-877-477-7485.

Original Posting Date:
July 21, 2021

Posting Close Date:
August 21, 2021

Job Requisition Number:
R5689