A postdoctoral position is available to study alterations at the microbe and animal level following application of various intervention strategies in the animal. The position will be offered through collaboration between ARS-National Animal Disease Center Food Safety and Enteric Pathogens Research Unit and Andrew Severin, head of the Genome Informatics Facility at ISU, providing the chosen candidate with opportunities in both systems biology and bioinformatics. Salary will be commensurate with experience ($41,000-$55,000/year). The appointment will last for one year with potential for extension to a second year based on performance.
The postdoctoral scholar will perform bioinformatics and statistical data analysis support for genomics, transcriptomics, and metabolomics initiatives aimed at developing systems-biology models of host-microbiota or host-pathogen interactions and immune response mechanisms associated with disease and food safety. The mission of the NADC research unit is to conduct basic and applied research on antibiotic resistance genes and foodborne pathogens (E. coli, Salmonella and Campylobacter) in the intestinal microbiome of swine, turkeys and cattle, for which the incumbent would be expected to participate as a team member. The position requires spending time at both ISU and the NADC.
An ideal candidate would have prior experience with 16S rRNA sequence data and analysis, whole-genome next-generation sequencing data, or transcriptomic data and analysis (prokaryotic or eukaryotic). Knowledge of UNIX shell scripting, and expertise in at least one programming language (Python, Ruby, Perl, etc) is necessary. Knowledge of statistical software, such as R or SAS, is highly advantageous, but not required. The desired candidate will have strong computational and analytical skills, evidence of computational analysis, ability to communicate verbally and in writing, and work well with others. The start date is flexible, with a preference for starting during or prior to January of 2018.
Applicants should send a curriculum vitae, contact information for three references, and a cover letter to Crystal Loving (crystal.loving@ars.usda.gov) and Andrew Severin (severin@iastate.edu)
