Researcher III Position in Phage Biology and Structural Microbiology

The University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) is inviting applications for a Researcher III position in the Department of Microbiology.

The successful candidate will join the Dokland Laboratory and contribute to research projects spanning bacteriophage biology, bacterial genetics, structural biology and biochemistry.

The Researcher III will contribute to two major research projects.

One project focuses on understanding the structural biology of bacteriophages that infect staphylococci. The research will also investigate the mobilisation of Staphylococcus aureus pathogenicity islands. This work combines microbiology with structural and molecular approaches to better understand bacteriophage biology and bacterial genetic elements.

The second project focuses on the assembly, processing and activation of ribosomes in Streptococcus pneumoniae, commonly known as pneumococcus. The researcher may also have opportunities to contribute to additional projects, including research related to capsid assembly in HIV.

The successful candidate will independently perform experiments in support of the laboratory’s research goals.

• Conducting research using bacterial genetics, biochemistry and structural biology approaches
• Setting up and performing laboratory experiments
• Collecting, recording and analysing research data
• Monitoring experimental outcomes and identifying unusual results
• Suggesting improvements or modifications to experimental procedures
• Developing and improving laboratory techniques
• Assisting other researchers with experiments
• Preparing media and supporting bacterial growth experiments
• Performing gel electrophoresis
• Supporting electron microscopy work
• Maintaining accurate laboratory records
• Presenting research findings
• Participating in laboratory meetings
• Providing general laboratory support when required

• Candidates with a Master’s degree in one of the following areas may be particularly well suited:
  Microbiology, Biology, Molecular Biology, Biotechnology, Biological Sciences
• Other related life science disciplines
• At least one year of research laboratory experience is preferred.