Post Doctoral Associate

Post Doctoral Associate

Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey, is seeking a Post Doctoral Associate for the Department of Food Science within the School of Environmental and Biological Sciences. The successful candidate will lead research projects to develop, validate, improve, and apply analytical methods for the identification and quantification of metabolites relevant to chronic diseases using advanced mass spectrometry-based techniques under supervision. These metabolites include but are not limited to oxidized lipid derivatives.

The candidate will also perform statistical analyses to provide further insight into the biological roles of these metabolites. In addition, the candidate may explore the biological functions of these metabolites using preclinical models and clinical cohort data. The successful candidate also will mentor and supervise graduate and undergraduate students, contribute to grant proposals, and publish their findings in peer-reviewed journals.

This is a partially-grant funded position, continuation of employment in this position is contingent upon adequate grant funds.

Key

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Developing, validating, improving, and applying qualitative and quantitative analytical methods using UPLC-MS/MS.
• Developing, organizing, and maintaining a collection of analytical standards and relevant methods.
• Extracting, purifying, and analyzing diverse metabolites, including but not limited to oxidized lipid derivatives, using UPLC-MS/MS, with other instruments such as GC-MS used as needed for specific applications.
• Performing statistical analyses to understand the roles of these metabolites in the context of chronic disease and precision health.
• Other scholarly activities, such as assistance in training graduate/undergraduate students, assistance in grant writing, scientific discussion, and assistance in overseeing lab safety and lab supplies.

Position Status
- Full Time

Posting Number - 26FA0313

Posting Open Date - 04/03/2026

Posting Close Date - 08/17/2026

Minimum Education and Experience
- Ph.D. in Analytical Chemistry, Biochemistry, Food Science, Nutritional Science, or a related discipline; demonstrated expertise in the operation and maintenance of tandem mass spectrometry platforms, preferably UPLC-MS/MS, evidenced by relevant publications and presentations; and strong research, organizational and communication skills.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
- Strong analytical and other computer skills.

Preferred Qualifications
- Prior experience in at least one of the following areas is highly desirable: (a) strong understanding of metabolism, such as the roles of lipid oxidation in the development and progression of chronic diseases; (b) strong statistical analysis skills, including but not limited to usage of bioinformatics tools or pipelines; and © experience working with human clinical data and/or preclinical models relevant to chronic diseases.

Equipment Utilized
- Tandem mass spectrometry platforms, chemical extraction apparatus, centrifuges, sample homogenizers, pipettes, fume hood, and other relevant equipment.

Physical Demands and Work Environment
- The candidate should be able to lift up to 5 kg and routinely perform laboratory tasks involving pipetting and handling of human and rodent biospecimens; the candidate should be able to work next to a fume hood for chemical extraction and/or next to analytical instruments and computers to acquire and/or analyze data.

Special Instructions to Applicants
- Please submit Cover Letter, CV, and names of 3 professional references. References will not be contacted unless candidate reaches finalist stage.