Postdoctoral Researcher - Lyme Disease Bacteriophage Biology

Position Details

Announcement Number STAFF - VA - 27075

For questions regarding this position, please contact:

Patrick Secor

patrick.secor

Classification

Title:

Postdoctoral Researcher

Working Title:

Postdoctoral Researcher - Lyme Disease Bacteriophage Biology

The Secor Lab seeks a postdoctoral researcher to investigate bacteriophage biology in the Lyme disease spirochete Borrelia burgdorferi. The successful candidate will help define how phiBB-1 controls horizontal gene transfer and bacterial adaptation across the tick-mouse infectious cycle.

Position Number: 4C2248

Department:
Microbiology & Cell Biology

Division:
College of Agriculture/MAES

Appointment Type:
Research Professional Contract Term:
Fiscal Year (Semester if other, specify From date If other, specify End date) FLSA Exempt Union Affiliation Exempt from Collective Bargaining FTE 1.0 Benefits Eligible Eligible Salary Salary commensurate with experience, education, and qualifications.

Contract Type LOA If other, please specify Recruitment Type Open

The Department of Microbiology & Cell Biology at Montana State University invites applications for a full-time, benefits-eligible Postdoctoral Researcher in the Secor Laboratory. The Secor Lab studies how bacteria, bacteriophages, and animal hosts interact to shape microbial evolution and disease. This NIH/NIAID-funded project centers on the temperate bacteriophage phiBB-1, the cp32 prophage family, and phage-mediated movement of antigen and other genetic material among

B. burgdorferi strains. The project combines mechanistic phage biology with the natural tick-vector and vertebrate-host cycle. A candidate will develop a research focus that builds on their strengths; prior Lyme disease or tick experience is welcome but is not required.

• Design and conduct independent and collaborative studies of phiBB-1/cp32 biology, phage replication, lysis-lysogeny regulation, transduction, and horizontal gene transfer.
• Investigate how phage activity and genetic exchange influence
  
  B. burgdorferi across tick and mammalian host environments.
• Use and/or develop approaches in bacterial or phage genetics, molecular biology, vector biology, animal infection, microscopy, genomics, transcriptomics, biochemistry, or computational analysis, depending on expertise.
• Analyze data, maintain reproducible records, present findings, and lead or contribute to publications and funding applications.
• Collaborate across disciplines and contribute to mentoring and a safe, constructive research environment.

• PhD or equivalent doctoral degree completed by the start date in microbiology, bacteriology, molecular biology, genetics or genomics, vector biology or entomology, infectious disease, immunology, biochemistry, bioinformatics or computational biology, or a closely related field.
• Research experience in at least one relevant area: bacterial or phage genetics; molecular biology or biochemistry; arthropod vector biology; animal models of infection; microscopy; genomics or transcriptomics; or quantitative/computational biology.
• Evidence of research productivity through a peer-reviewed publication, preprint, or substantive dissertation research.
• Experience analyzing research data and documenting experimental or computational methods and results.

• Experience in one or more of the following: bacteriophages or prophages; transduction or horizontal gene transfer;
  Borrelia or other spirochetes; ticks or other arthropod vectors; mouse models of infection; bacterial genetic manipulation; fluorescence or electron microscopy; genome sequencing, RNA-seq, or bioinformatics.
• Experience developing, optimizing, or troubleshooting complex experimental or computational workflows.
• Experience working in a collaborative or multidisciplinary research setting.
• Experience mentoring or training students or research staff.

• Demonstrate intellectual curiosity and the ability to connect questions across microbiology, phage biology, vector biology, and host-pathogen biology.
• Plan and advance research with appropriate independence while seeking input when useful.
• Communicate clearly, collaborate constructively, and contribute to an inclusive and supportive research environment.
• Approach experimental challenges with persistence, sound judgment, and attention to rigor and reproducibility.