Postdoctoral Research Scholar

The Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology at NC State University is seeking a highly motivated Postdoctoral Research Scholar to conduct research focused on the isolation, characterization, genomics, and virulence of Orientia spp. bacteria associated with free-living chiggers.

The successful candidate will work as part of a collaborative research team investigating Orientia spp. through a combination of bacterial culture, cell-based assays, next-generation sequencing, and genomic bioinformatics. The position will involve laboratory research conducted in a BSL-3 facility, as well as computational analysis of bacterial genomes.

Collaborating researchers will collect wild-caught, free-living chiggers in the United States and provide specimens for laboratory analysis. The Postdoctoral Research Scholar will contribute to the culture and characterization of Orientia spp., genomic sequencing and analysis, assessment of bacterial virulence, and preparation of research findings for publication and presentation.

Other Duties and Responsibilities:

1. Culture and characterize Orientia spp. bacteria - 50%

Culture Orientia spp. bacteria from wild-caught, free-living chiggers collected in the United States by collaborating researchers. Establish and maintain pure cultures of Orientia spp. bacteria and conduct laboratory studies to characterize bacterial growth and virulence. Perform bacterial culture and related experimental work in a BSL-3 laboratory using established biosafety protocols. Culture Orientia spp. in appropriate animal cell lines and assess the virulence and biological characteristics of isolated bacterial cultures using human or other animal cell lines. Chiggers will be collected and provided by collaborating researchers in culture media and will not be provided as live specimens.

Obtain genome sequence data from Orientia spp. bacteria using next-generation sequencing approaches. Prepare purified DNA obtained from bacterial cultures for submission to an external DNA sequencing service. As an alternative approach, collaborate with private sequencing service providers to use probe-directed genome sequencing to obtain genomic data from Orientia spp. present in crude bacterial mixtures derived from free-living chiggers.

Assemble and analyze genomic sequence data from Orientia spp. bacteria. Compare newly sequenced genomes with publicly available genomes from known Orientia spp. to determine species identity and characterize genetic relationships. Use genomic and bioinformatic analyses to identify genetic factors associated with bacterial virulence and other relevant biological characteristics. Interpret and integrate genomic findings with laboratory data to support research objectives and prepare results for publication in scientific journals.

Analyze, interpret, and document research findings; prepare manuscripts, abstracts, presentations, and other scholarly materials; contribute to research proposals and grant applications as appropriate; and present research findings at scientific meetings and conferences. Maintain accurate records of experimental procedures, results, and genomic analyses and contribute to collaborative research activities with internal and external research partners.

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What we offer:

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