University of Tennessee at Chattanooga

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Post-Doctoral Research Associate: Department of Microbiology - UTK

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The Clasen lab in the Department of Microbiology at UTK is seeking a post-doctoral researcher with expertise in structural biology.

The lab studies the relationship between the host immune system and the commensal microbes that colonize the intestinal tract. We seek to understand how host immune responses impact microbial behavior. To address this, we employ a combination of techniques in molecular biology and immunology, next generation sequencing, and in vitro and in vivo models.

This position contributes to the daily operations of the laboratory by ordering and maintaining lab supplies, organizing and managing laboratory space and databases, and supporting new lab members and experimental projects. The role requires performing and troubleshooting a variety of experiments while maintaining detailed laboratory records. Experimental techniques may include protein analysis such as expression and purification, cryo-EM, ELISA, western blotting, and immunoprecipitation; cell analysis including cell sorting, separation, and flow cytometry; bacterial culturing under both aerobic and anaerobic conditions; molecular biology techniques such as cloning, DNA/RNA extraction, and PCR; microscopy; and 2D and 3D cell culture. Additional responsibilities may include mouse organ dissection and preparation of cells and tissues for downstream assays. The position also involves working with animals and maintaining mouse colonies by serving as the primary health contact for animals, managing detailed colony and breeding records, and performing mouse tagging, weaning, and genotyping.

This position entails contributing to the daily operations of the lab. Specific responsibilities may include, but are not limited to:

  • Ordering and maintaining lab supplies

  • Organizing and maintaining lab space and databases

  • Supporting new lab members and experimental projects

This position will be expected to perform and troubleshoot experiments and maintain detailed laboratory records. Techniques may include, but are not limited to:

  • Protein analysis (Expression/purification, cryo-EM, ELISA, western blot, immunoprecipitation)

  • Cell analysis (cell sorting/separation, flow cytometry)

  • Bacterial culturing (aerobic and anaerobic)

  • Molecular biology techniques (cloning, DNA/RNA extraction, PCR)

  • Microscopy

  • Cell culture (2D and 3D)

  • Mouse organ dissection and preparation of cells and tissues for downstream assays

This position must be willing to work with animals and will be expected to maintain mouse colonies. Specific responsibilities may include, but are not limited to:

  • Serving as the primary health contact for animals

  • Maintaining a detailed inventory of mouse colonies and ongoing breeding

  • Tagging, weaning, and genotyping mice

Required Qualifications

  • Education: Doctoral degree in a biochemistry-related field
  • Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:

    • Ability to be respectful, collegial, and work well with colleagues from diverse backgrounds

    • Understanding of basic laboratory safety procedures

    • Excellent written and verbal communication skills

    • Willingness to work with animals

    • Ability to perform the essential functions of the job as outlined in the duties/responsibilities

    • Routine molecular biology/immunology techniques

Preferred Qualifications

  • Experience:
    • Animal handling experience
  • Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:
    • Highly motivated and the ability to work as part of a team and independently.
    • Excellent oral and written communication skills.
    • The ability to develop independent research ideas.
    • The ability to support the lab by participating in laboratory meetings and assisting in establishing standard operating protocols.

Work Location

  • Location: Knoxville, TN

  • Onsite

Compensation and Benefits

  • Anticipated hiring range: $50,000 - $57,000
  • Find more information on UT Benefits here

Application Instructions

To express interest, please submit an application with the noted below attachments.

  • Resume

  • Cover Letter

  • List of 3 Professional References

About The Department

The Department of Microbiology is an active participant and leader in the Community of Scholars on Immunology and Inflammation (CoSI2), Community of Scholars on Microbial Consortia (CoSMiC), and Biomembranes Community of Scholars at UTK, which brings together engineering, chemistry, veterinary, and material sciences, UT Institute of Agriculture (UTIA), Oak Ridge National Lab (ORNL), and the University of Tennessee Medical Center (UTMC) in Knoxville. Labs have access to multiple core facilities on campus including animal facility, genomics core, imaging core, mass-spectrometry core, flow cytometers and cell sorters (https://research.utk.edu/oried/core-facilities/). UTK is the flagship university of the University of Tennessee System and is designated as a Carnegie ‘Very High Research Activity’ University.

The Department of Microbiology values the quality of life of all its members and is committed to promoting an atmosphere where all members of the university community feel welcome and can thrive. Located in the foothills of the Smoky Mountains, The University of Tennessee Knoxville was founded in 1794 and is one of the oldest public universities in the nation. There are over 40,000 students enrolled at the Knoxville campus, who train and study in a city where excellence in academia meets the natural beauty of the southern Appalachian region and in the company of the artists, makers, and entrepreneurs that call Knoxville their home.

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