Postdoctoral Research Associate - Food Microbiology

Responsibilities

• Design and coordinate microbiological research and field research projects focusing on pathogen studies in aquaponics and hydroponic systems.
• Lead experiment execution, including sampling, data analysis, and the preparation of reports and manuscripts for publication.
• Implement research protocols regarding human pathogenic bacteria, microbiomes, biofilms, and fungi.
• Perform microbiological and molecular analysis using techniques such as culturing, DNA/RNA extraction, PCR, and qPCR.
• Conduct bioinformatics analysis and evaluate the microbiological quality of fresh produce in local agricultural systems.
• Supervise research assistant students in the laboratory setting.
• Contribute to the development of food safety training programs, including GAP, HACCP, and FSMA.
• Collaborate with lab technicians to oversee media preparation, culture management, and reagent quality control.

Requirements

• Ph.D. in Microbiology, Food Safety, Food Science, or a related field.
• Valid driver's license.
• Authorized to work in the United States.
• Experience working with human pathogenic bacteria.

Preferred Qualifications

• Proficiency in bioinformatics tools.
• Experience with statistical software such as SAS or R-studio.
• Experience designing and leading research experiments and supervising undergraduate students.
• Background in food microbiology and manuscript preparation.

About the Company

Central State University is a leading institution dedicated to research and academic excellence. This position is part of the Agriculture Research Development Program (ARDP) and is funded by the National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) through the Evans Allen Program, with matching contributions from the State of Ohio.