Postdoctoral Research Associate

About this position

• Postdoctoral Research Associate
• Division of Nutritional Sciences, College of Human Ecology
• Cornell University

• The Johnson lab is seeking to welcome a postdoctoral research
• associate to the group who specializes in microbiome science with an
• emphasis on host-microbe interactions. The ideal candidate will bring
• expertise in microbial ecology and microbiome sequencing and/or
• microbial metabolomics. This researcher would work across multiple
• projects that aim to understand the precise mechanisms that define how
• infant diets contribute to gut microbial metabolism with opportunities
• to explore diet-microbiome-host interactions across multiple systems.
• Main responsibilities would include designing and executing
• experiments to interrogate host-microbe interactions, analyzing and
• interpreting microbiome sequencing and/or metabolomics data,
• developing novel computational or analytical approaches to
• characterize microbial community structure and function, working with
• graduate students, manuscript preparation and the potential to follow
• up on observations in research models depending on the interest of the
• individual.

• The Johnson lab sits in the Division of Nutritional Sciences and is a
• leader in coordinated efforts to support research excellence in the
• Microbiome Sciences at Cornell University. The lab focuses on
• understanding how early-life nutrition shapes the gut microbiome and
• its metabolic output, using a combination of microbiome sequencing
• approaches, mass spectrometry-based metabolomics, research models of
• host-microbe interactions including gnotobiotic systems. The lab's
• work spans from mechanistic studies of microbial metabolism to
• translational questions about how diet-microbiome interactions
• influence infant health and development. The candidate would have
• access to a rich interdisciplinary scientific community that spans
• multiple departments and colleges, as well as state-of-the-art
• analytical instrumentation and computational resources.

Required Qualifications:

• A PhD in microbiology, microbial ecology, molecular biology, biochemistry, chemical biology or any relevant fields with a dissertation that includes a focus on host-microbe interactions, microbial community analysis, or microbial metabolism.

• Demonstrated expertise in one or more of the following: microbiome sequencing data analysis (shotgun metagenomic, and/or metatranscriptomic), microbial metabolomics, or microbial genetics.

• Experience designing and conducting experiments that probe the relationship between microbial communities and their host environment.

• Strong record of scientific productivity, including peer-reviewed publications.

• Ability to cultivate and develop inclusive and equitable working relationships with students, faculty, staff, and community members.

• Strong written communication skills.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience with computational tools for microbiome sequencing analysis (e.g., HUMAnN, MetaPhlAn, or similar).

• Proficiency in programming languages for data analysis (e.g., R, Python).

• Experience with mass spectrometry-based metabolomics approaches, including LC-MS/MS.

• Experience operating, maintaining, and troubleshooting LC-MS/MS instrumentation, including [specific instruments, e.g., Orbitrap Exploris series, triple quadrupole instruments, HPLC/UHPLC systems].

• Experience performing sample preparation, including extraction, purification, and derivatization techniques for complex biological samples.

• Experience collecting, processing, and analyzing large analytical datasets using appropriate software [e.g., Xcalibur, Compound Discoverer, Skyline, TraceFinder].

• Experience integrating multi-omic datasets (e.g., combining sequencing and metabolomics data).

• Experience with animal models of host-microbe interactions, including gnotobiotic systems.

• Experience with microbial culture techniques, including anaerobic microbiology.

• Familiarity with microbial metabolic pathway reconstruction and functional annotation.

• Experience handling microbiome/microbial samples and wet lab workflows for sequencing library preparation.

• Experience working with milk samples or infant/pediatric cohort data.

• Experience with lipid biochemistry.

TO APPLY: Please click on this link to submit your application:

https://academicjobsonline.org/ajo/jobs/32887

The following applications materials are required with your

application:

• Cover letter describing the applicant's interest and research experience.

• Curriculum vitae.

• Names and contact information of 3 professional references. Reference letters may be requested at a later date.

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.