Detecting Foodborne Pathogenic Bacteria
*Applications will be reviewed on a rolling-basis.
A research opportunity is currently available with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Agricultural Research Service (ARS), Eastern Regional Research Center located in Wyndmoor, Pennsylvania.
The mission of the Molecular Characterization of Foodborne Pathogens research unit is to investigate multiple areas of safety-related problems associated with contamination of food by bacterial pathogens and includes: stress response, evolution/mutation, biofilm formation, antimicrobial resistance, and rapid detection & identification. The research project of this particular subgroup focuses on the latter in the development of rapid, field-deployable detection and/or identification/confirmation methods for specific foodborne pathogenic bacteria (e.g., Shiga toxin-producing E. coli, Salmonella, Listeria monocytogenes, etc.). Analysis is typically complicated by the complex nature of food matrices and the frequent need to detect very low numbers or concentrations of targeted pathogens amongst relatively high numbers of generally benign background flora. In addition, culture enrichment is expected to be avoided as both increased cost and lengthy analysis times are prohibitive. We are seeking a qualified individual that will be involved with conducting research and development focused on one or more areas of interest to this particular subgroup. An individual with diverse knowledge, skills, and abilities is sought as there are many research areas that will be appropriately matched with the selected participant's opportunity that will complement their educational training. Thus, additional exposure to related areas of science will provide further professional development in the participant's desired field or discipline.
Qualifications
The qualified candidate should have received a doctoral degree in Biochemistry, Cellular and Molecular Biology, Food Sciences and Technology, Microbiology, or Chemistry.
Preferred skills:
- Knowledge, skills, and abilities for conducting research in biochemical, microbiological, or molecular biological laboratory biosafety level 2 environments
- Experience in methodology or techniques associated with any or all of the following: biochemistry, [food] microbiology, handling of [foodborne] pathogens, molecular methods, immunoassays, ELISA, electrochemistry, sample preparation, flow-through filtration, flow-through centrifugation, microscopy (phase contrast, compound light, fluorescence), microarray (printing, scanning, analysis), SELEX, conjugation/cross-linking, sequencing (MiSeq, MinIon), AlphaLISA, microparticles, spectroscopy (UV-Vis, fluorescence), luminescence, bioinformatics, statistics, polymer chemistry, and/or bacteriophage (collection, isolation, identification, propagation, binding, manipulation/modification)
This opportunity is available to U.S. citizens only.
For more information about the ARS Research Participation Program, please visit the Program Website.
If you have questions, send an email to USDA-ARS@orau.org. Please include the reference code for this opportunity (USDA-ARS-2019-0110) in your email.