Postdoctoral Research Associate- Food Microbiology

Location: Wilberforce

Posting Number 0801832 Classification Title Postdoctoral Research Associate
- Food Microbiology Working Title Department Agriculture Research Development Program (ARDP) Department Contact Email rkorir

Job Summary /Basic Function

JOB SUMMARY

We are seeking a Postdoctoral Research Associate specializing in food microbiology safety to work on pathogen study projects focused on pre-and post-harvest fresh produce safety, especially those grown in aquaponics and hydroponic systems. The position involves agricultural, food science, and microbiological collaborative projects located at CSU campus in Wilberforce, Ohio. The main goal of our food safety studies is to improve food safety and reduce foodborne illness by examining the routes of contamination of fruits and vegetables with human pathogens.

Under guidance from the CSU project directors, the participant will help in designing and conducting all aspects of the experiments from laboratory to growth chambers, greenhouse, aquaponics, and fields trials. The participant will learn methods to reduce bacterial pathogen loads contamination, integrated data collection and analysis, and novel methods to isolate and maintain microbial cells and nucleic acids. This is an integrated produce safety research project, and the participant will have opportunities to learn and participate in our food safety extensions programs.

ESSENTIAL

JOB DUTIES:

* Participates in and coordinates: microbiological research and field research project design.

* Leads experiment execution, sampling, data analysis, reporting, and publication preparation.

* Help design and implement research protocols and coordinate research studies focusing on human pathogenic bacteria, microbiome, biofilms, and fungi in aquaponics and hydroponic systems.

* Assist as needed to analyze water samples for microbiological quality from the CSU extension stakeholder's farmers and industries in states of Ohio.

* Carry out Bio-informatics analysis.

* Evaluation of microbiological quality of the fresh produce in local agricultural and food production systems.

* Perform food microbiology research reviews.

* Supervise research assistant students in the laboratory.

* Contribute to development and improvement of the CSU food safety sanitation and good agricultural practices training program

* Good Agricultural Practices (GAP)

* Hazard Analysis Critical Control Points (HACCP)

* Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA)

* Cooperate with the lab technicians to oversee media preparation, culture management, bio-assay studies in growth chambers and greenhouse studies maintenance, experiment media and reagent quality control analysis.

* Perform microbiological and molecular analysis using culturing, DNA & RNA extractions, PCR, and qPCR techniques.

* Collect, analyze, and report research data for presentations in farmers' seminars and research conferences, and for manuscript preparation.

* Ability to adapt and apply academic/practical knowledge to conduct microbiological research on foods and food systems including water quality analysis required.

* Strong background in food microbiology experience particularly working with human pathogenic bacteria, working with technologies such as bioinformatics, SAS; R-studio; experience designing and leading research experiments, supervising undergraduate student research assistants, and analyzing data and manuscript preparation desired.

Minimum Qualifications

A Ph.D., in Microbiology, Food Safety, or Food Science & Technology or equivalent education experience in a related field.

Preferred Qualifications Posting Date 06/10/2026 Closing Date Open Until Filled Yes Special Instructions to Applicants

The applicant must have a valid driver's license. Also, the individual must be authorized to work in the US.

This is a full-time position funded by annual allocation by National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) through the Evans Allen Program with matching contributions from the State of Ohio.

The appointment will initially be for two years but may be renewed upon recommendation of CSU project directors and is contingent on the performance and availability of funds.

All offers of employment at Central State University are contingent upon the successful completion of a comprehensive background check. This may include, but is not limited to, verification of education and employment history, criminal history check, driving record (if applicable), drug screening, and tax compliance review.

Certain positions may require additional screenings based on job responsibilities, regulatory requirements, or funding sources.

Failure to successfully complete the required background check or provide accurate and complete information may result in withdrawal of an offer or termination of employment.

Position Category Budgeted Annual Salary Commensurate with experience