Postdoc Research Associate Understanding Antimicrobial Resistance in Wastewaters
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Monthly Salary:
Posted on:
30+ days ago
Vacancies:
1 Vacancy
Job Summary
Position Title:
Postdoc Research Associate - Understanding Antimicrobial Resistance in WastewatersAppointment Type:
Post Doc/TraineeJob Description:
A postdoctoral research associate position is available in Engineering of Microbial Systems as part of the microbial component of the NSF-funded Understanding the Rules of Life project Using the Rules of Antibiotic Resistance Development to Inform Wastewater Mitigation Strategies. The successful candidate will work closely with Drs. Adina Howe and Laura Jarboe as well as collaborate with other Iowa State University researchers and engage with the broader project team.
Position Overview
This postdoctoral position is part of a collaborative research project with teams at the University at Buffalo and Virginia Tech. The overarching goal is to develop models that describe how antimicrobial resistance is selected during wastewater treatment processes.
The Microbial Engineering component focuses on characterizing the cost-benefit dynamics of microbial resistance to sub-inhibitory concentrations of antibiotics and the associated impact of temperature metals and non-antibiotic chemicals.
Role Responsibilities
This position will support research on de novo mutations acquired by E. coli during evolution in the presence of sub-inhibitory concentrations of antibiotics. Key activities include:
Engineering mutations into baseline strains
Determining minimum selective concentrations under varying conditions
Implementing mutations individually and in combination with one another
Job duties include but are not limited to:
The selection of mutations for characterization
Design and implementation of these editing strategies
Quantitative assessment of the relative abundance of the engineered strains in various growth conditions
Training undergraduate and graduate student researchers in the safe performance of these experiments
Communication of results to team members and others in the scientific community both in writing and in oral presentations.
The ideal candidate will have:
Strong writing and oral communication skills
Strong organizational skills
The ability to work in a collaborative environment
A demonstrated understanding of wastewater treatment processes including the role of bacteria in nutrient cycling and the impact of pathogens on system performance and public health
Be creative independent and have the desire to learn new things
Required Minimum Qualifications:
A Ph.D. or the equivalent in chemical engineering biological engineering microbiology or a related field
Experience with the design and implementation of targeted gene edits including but not limited to primer design polymerase chain reaction gel electrophoresis DNA transformation and sterile technique
Experience with quantitative characterization of microbial systems including but not limited to high-throughput growth curves and high-throughput quantitative PCR
Experience with gene editing in prokaryotic systems
Experience with measurement of minimum inhibitory concentration and minimum selective concentration including understanding of dose-response relationships bacterial resistance thresholds and relevant statistical or modeling approaches
Preferred Qualifications:
Experience with genome sequence datasets
Experience with microbiome sequencing datasets
Experience with quantifying antibiotic-resistant determinants
Department/Program & College Description:
While maintaining our traditional connection to agriculture our faculty researchers are also developing alternative production systems leading innovative research for renewable energy sources developing value-added products and processes and implementing new methods to improve air and water quality.
Department Unit/Website: Start Date:
January 2 2026Proposed End Date or Length of Term:
December 31 2026Number of Months Employed Per Year:
12 Month Work PeriodTime Type:
Full timeApplication Instructions:
Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the U.S. on an ongoing basis without sponsorship. Immigration sponsorship is not available for this position.
To apply for this position please click on Apply and complete the Employment Application. Please be prepared to enter or attach the following:
1) Resume/Curriculum Vitae
2) Letter of Application/Cover Letter
If you have questions regarding this application process please email or call or Toll Free: 1-.
Why Choose ISU
Iowa State Postdocs enjoy comprehensive health and work-life benefits including medical and dental as well as:
Retirement benefits including defined benefit and defined contribution plans
Generous vacation holiday and sick time and leave plans
Onsite childcare (Ames Iowa)
Flexible Spending Accounts
Various voluntary benefits and discounts
Employee Assistance Program
Wellbeing Program
Original Posting Date:
November 13 2025Posting Close Date:
November 20 2025Job Requisition Number:
R18123Required Experience:
IC
Key Skills
- Laboratory Experience
- ELISA
- Immunoassays
- Mammalian Cell Culture
- Biochemistry
- Cell Biology
- Research Experience
- Cell Culture
- Molecular Biology
- Microscopy
- Research Laboratory Experience
- Western Blot
About Company
Attending Iowa State University of Science and Technology (ISU) can be a whirlwind experience for some. ISU is a public land-grant institution offering higher education courses and programs with an emphasis on science, technology, and related areas. It's also home to the Cyclones athl ... View more
