Postdoctoral Research Associate- Food Microbiology

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 design and conduct all aspects of the experiments from laboratory to growth chambers, greenhouse, aquaponics, and field trials. The participant will learn methods to reduce bacterial pathogen loads, integrate data collection and analysis, and develop novel methods to isolate and maintain microbial cells and nucleic acids. This integrated produce safety research project offers opportunities to learn and participate in food safety extension programs.

• Participate in and coordinate microbiological and field research project design.
• Lead experiment execution, sampling, data analysis, reporting, and publication preparation.
• Help design and implement research protocols and coordinate studies focusing on human pathogenic bacteria, microbiome, biofilms, and fungi in aquaponics and hydroponic systems.
• Assist in analyzing water samples for microbiological quality from CSU extension stakeholders’ farmers and industries in Ohio.
• Carry out bio‑informatics analysis.
• Evaluate microbiological quality of 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 CSU food safety sanitation and good agricultural practices training program.
• Pre‑practice Good Agricultural Practices (GAP), Hazard Analysis Critical Control Points (HACCP), and Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) applications.
• Cooperate with lab technicians to prepare media, manage cultures, and conduct bio‑assay studies in growth chambers and greenhouse.
• Perform microbiological and molecular analysis using culturing, DNA & RNA extractions, PCR, and qPCR techniques.
• Collect, analyze, and report research data for farmer seminars, research conferences, and manuscripts.
• Adapt and apply academic/practical knowledge to conduct microbiological research on foods and food systems, including water quality analysis.
• Apply strong background in food microbiology and experience with human pathogenic bacteria, bioinformatics, SAS, and R‑studio for experimental design, supervising students, data analysis, and manuscript preparation.

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

• Valid driver’s license.
• Authorized to work in the United States.
• Full‑time position; two‑year appointment, contingent on performance and funding.

Salary commensurate with experience. Funding from National Institute of Food and Agriculture through the Evans Allen Program with matching contributions from the State of Ohio.