THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF
AGRICULTURE IS AN EQUAL
OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES:  The incumbent will participate as a member of an expanding research team applying molecular techniques to investigate the microbial ecology of the mammalian intestinal tract.  Specific duties include phylotype, metagenomic, and culture-based analyses of swine intestinal microbiota under different dietary, antibiotic, and host animal influences.

The position is within the Pre-Harvest Food Safety & Enteric Diseases Research Unit.  The scientists in this unit investigate interactions of enteropathogenic and non-pathogenic bacteria with each other, with intestinal tissues of their animal host, and with the farm environment.  Research in the unit generates intervention strategies to reduce the prevalence of human foodborne pathogens, animal pathogens, and antibiotic resistant bacteria in livestock.

NADC is the premier research institute within the USDA for studying diseases of large animals and is undergoing a $500 million upgrade of laboratory facilities.  NADC resources for the position include flow cytometry, laser microdissection microscopy, a nucleic acid center operating Roche FLX and AP3100 sequencers, an electron microscopy/histology facility, and substantial bioinformatics and animal support.  NADC researchers also have access to computer and bioinformatics resources and collaborations at nearby Iowa State University.  At the NADC, scientists are able to investigate microbe-host interactions at every level—molecular, microbe, and natural host.

QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS: A Ph.D. in microbiology or a related field is required for this position.  NADC is seeking a candidate with a strong and creative interest in the molecular ecology of natural microbial populations.  The candidate should have a research background or coursework encompassing general bacteriology, microbial diversity/anaerobic microbiology, and molecular biology techniques.  The candidate should have research interests in bioinformatics and microbial population analysis.

INFORMATION ON SALARY AND APPLICATION PROCEDURES FOR POSTDOCTORAL POSITIONS is available at: http://www.afm.ars.usda.gov/divisions/hrd/hrdhomepage/vacancy/pd962.html

INFORMATION ON EMPLOYEE BENEFITS is available at: http://www.usajobs.opm.gov/ei61.asp

FOR SPECIFIC INFORMATION ON THE DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF THIS POSITION OR TO SUBMIT AN APPLICATION, CONTACT:

Dr. Thad Stanton, Ph.D.
Research Leader, PHFSED Unit
USDA/ARS
National Animal Disease Center
2300 Dayton Rd.
Ames, IA  50010-9464
Phone: 515-663-7350
Email: Thad.Stanton@ars.usda.gov