Post-Doctoral Research Associate: Department of Microbiology - UTK

The Lindsey Burcham Lab in the Department of Microbiology at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville (UTK) is recruiting a Postdoctoral Associate to study bacterial physiology and microbe–microbe interactions important for maternal‑fetal and pediatric health. Current focus includes community members of the vaginal microbiota, including Streptococcus agalactiae (Group B Streptococcus), Lactobacillus spp., etc., and their impacts on microbial colonization, persistence, and host response.

We utilize combined approaches in microbial genetics, microbial physiology, analytical techniques, animal husbandry and in vivo models, clinical sample and data collection, advanced imaging, microbial community analyses, and transcriptomics to explore host‑microbe interactions across diverse host environments.

The successful candidate will lead high‑impact projects, develop skills in scientific mentorship and communication, contribute to authoring and reviewing manuscripts and grant proposals, and will contribute to collaborative projects with colleagues internal to UTK, at the University of Tennessee College of Medicine, Knoxville, and/or external or international colleagues.

• Work as a productive and considerate member of the research team
• Lead the design and execution of rigorous in vitro and in vivo experiments
• Maintain highly detailed and organized experimental data and protocols
• Contribute to writing, editing, and reviewing manuscripts
• Mentor graduate and undergraduate trainees
• Apply for internal and external funding calls
• Distribute findings at regional, national, and international conferences
• Contribute to the collaborative research ongoing in the L. Burcham lab

• Education:
  • PhD in microbiology, biology, immunology, genomics, or closely related field by the start date.
• Experience:
  • Experience performing microbial or eukaryotic genetic manipulation
  • Experience in aseptic technique, microbial cultivation, microbial metabolism, tissue culture, animal models, or immunology
• Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:
  • Demonstrated ability to work productively as a member of a team.
  • Demonstrated ability to effectively communicate science in both written and oral format.

• Education:
  • Formal training in statistical analyses or microbiome analyses
• Experience:
  • Experience in designing, executing, and analyzing transcriptomics data
• Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:
  • Interest in microbial ecology or ecosystem interactions
  • Demonstrated record of peer‑reviewed publications and ability to independently drive projects to completion

• Location:
  
  Knoxville, TN
• Onsite

• Anticipated hiring range: $60,000-$63,000
• Find more information on UT Benefits here

• CV
• Cover Letter

To express interest, please submit an application with the noted below attachments. To be assured of full consideration, completed applications with all requested materials should be submitted on or before May 1, 2026.