Career Center

Postdoctoral Research Associate

About the Opportunity

The Distel Laboratory at the Northeastern University Marine Science Center seeks a postdoctoral research scientist to take a leading role in research exploring the interactions between wood-eating teredinid bivalves (shipworms) and their intracellular cellulolytic bacterial endosymbionts. Shipworms provide an extraordinary model system for investigating symbiont acquisition and intracellular infection as both the hosts and their symbionts can be cultured in the laboratory. Their symbionts are a rich source of secondary metabolites, including antimicrobials and antibiotics that likely play a key role in shaping and defending their microbiomes. They are also the only marine animals known to grow and reproduce with wood as a sole food source. Hence the system has relevance to symbiotic and pathogenic infection, drug discovery, microbial community assembly, lignocellulose degradation and biofuel/biomass conversion. The current position aims to advance understanding of symbiont acquisition and host-symbiont interaction at molecular, physiological, and ultrastructural levels under funding from the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation. The Distel lab is located at Northeastern University's Marine Science Center in Nahant, Massachusetts, on Boston's North Shore. The anticipated term of the appointment is 1.5 years with possibility of extension based on performance. The appointment is anticipated to begin in the first quarter of 2022.

Responsibilities:

The successful candidate will utilize molecular techniques to (1) explore host-symbiont interactions in the shipworm symbiotic model system, (2) perform laboratory and field research, (3) lead and assist with the preparation of research papers and grant proposals, (4) assist with overall management of the Distel Laboratory and (5) help supervise and train students. Ability to SCUBA dive within the AAUS framework is desirable but not required.

Qualifications:

A PhD or equivalent in microbiology, bacterial molecular biology, or a related biological discipline is required. Candidates must be able to undertake substantial full-time research and scholarship under the supervision of a senior scholar and must be knowledgeable in one or more of the following disciplines: molecular biology, genomics, bioinformatics, microbiology, invertebrate zoology, symbiosis.

Preferred experience:

Prior experience in the following areas will be especially valuable: bacterial genetic engineering, genomic and metagenomic sequencing, comparative genomic analysis, in situ hybridization and fluorescence microscopy. Knowledge of lignocellulose degradation (carbohydrate-active enzyme activity and expression) is desirable but not required.

Position Type

Research

Additional Information

Northeastern University is an equal opportunity employer, seeking to recruit and support a broadly diverse community of faculty and staff. Northeastern values and celebrates diversity in all its forms and strives to foster an inclusive culture built on respect that affirms inter-group relations and builds cohesion.

All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply and will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, age, sex, sexual orientation, disability status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.

To learn more about Northeastern University's commitment and support of diversity and inclusion, please see www.northeastern.edu/diversity.


To apply, visit https://northeastern.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com/en-US/careers/job/Nahant-MA/Postdoctoral-Research-Associate_R102480





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