2 positions available

​

Position: Bacterial stress responses and multispecies biofilm ecology: pre-harvest interventions to reduce zoonotic foodborne pathogens in beef on dairy systems.

 

Position summary: Study how bacterial stress responses and multispecies biofilm ecology drive the persistence of zoonotic foodborne pathogens, and evaluate pre-harvest interventions that reduce these pathogens in beef on dairy production systems. The position sits within an active One Health research program that combines controlled laboratory work, field sampling, and multi-omics analysis.

 

Key responsibilities:

• Design, conduct, and troubleshoot controlled experiments on bacterial stress responses, multispecies biofilm models, and pathogen persistence.

• Process environmental and animal-source samples, prepare sequencing libraries (16S and shotgun metagenomics), and carry out downstream analysis in R or Python.

• Plan and support environmental sampling in production settings, including coordination collaborators.

• Maintain careful records and contribute to laboratory data management practices.

• Lead and co-author peer-reviewed manuscripts, reports for funding agencies, and conference presentations.

• Mentor graduate and undergraduate students and contribute to a collegial laboratory environment.

• Contribute to grant reporting and, where appropriate, to the preparation of new proposals.

 

Education: PhD in microbiology, microbial ecology, or a related field, or equivalent research experience.

 

Required qualifications:

• Hands-on experience in bacterial culture and general molecular microbiology.

• Knowledge of microbiome or sequencing data, including 16S or metagenomics, and basic analysis in R or Python.

• Careful documentation and the ability to design and run controlled experiments independently.

• Clear scientific writing and the ability to communicate results.

 

Preferred qualifications:

• Experience with biofilm models, multispecies microbial communities, or bacterial stress response assays.

• Pre-harvest or on-farm sampling in beef or dairy systems.

• A record of peer-reviewed publications.

 

Appointment terms: Full-time, two-year position. Extension beyond the initial two years is possible contingent on performance and funding availability. Anticipated start date: flexible; open until filled.

 

Supervision: This position will be supervised by Dr. Sapna Dass. Research Microbiologist at the USDA-ARS Food Safety Research Unit (Burlington, Vermont) will provide additional mentorship in research design, laboratory methods, field coordination, and professional development.

 

Salary and benefits: Salary commensurate with experience and consistent with Texas A&M AgriLife Research guidelines.

 

Contact and how to apply:

• Applicants may direct questions about the position to Dr. Sapna Dass at sapna.dass@ag.tamu.edu.

• To apply, submit a single PDF to the same address containing:

• A cover letter describing your research experience and fit for the project

• A curriculum vitae

• Contact information for three professional references

• Use the subject line: Biofilm Ecology / Beef on Dairy – Postdoc Position – [Last Name]