General Notes
Initial assignment is for one year from initial hire date, renewable for one additional one-year period. This position will include a full-time benefits package (https://hr.utexas.edu/prospective/benefits).
Security sensitive; criminal background check conducted on selected candidate. Hiring decision is contingent upon clearing background check requirement.
To apply, candidates must submit i) a letter of application, (ii) a full CV, iii) a brief statement of research interests, and (iv) contact information for three references. Review of applications will start February 1, 2025 and will continue until the position is filled. Start date is March 2025, but negotiable. Inquiries about the position can be directed to Kelly Zamudio (kelly.zamudio@austin.utexas.edu).
The University of Texas, Austin has an active group in evolutionary genomics, herpetology, disease ecology and considerable genomic and bioinformatic resources. Austin is situated in the scenic Texas Hill Country. The cultural environment provided by the University and the City of Austin is exceptionally rich in art, music, and entertainment.
Purpose
An NSF-funded post-doctoral position is available in the lab of Kelly Zamudio in the Department of Integrative Biology at the University of Texas at Austin. The work will examine immune mechanisms that potentially underlie susceptibility of frogs to the chytrid fungus Bd (Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis). Specifically, the project entails characterizing T-cell receptors in experimental populations of bullfrogs under different growth conditions, to assess the plasticity of receptors and their downstream effect on host tolerance to the pathogen.
Our lab has a long history of studies in this host-pathogen system, and we are looking for someone to extend these analyses to include experimental manipulation of hosts. The postdoctoral candidate will have the opportunity to interact closely with co-PIs at the University of Rochester (Jacques Robert), the University of Central Florida (Anna Savage), and Vanderbilt University (Ann Tate).
The postdoctoral candidate will be encouraged to carry out independent work. A wide variety of research is ongoing in the lab in addition to the current project. For a summary of our work, please see zamudiolab.org
Responsibilities
- Establish/maintain operational protocols for experimental manipulation of host frogs, including husbandry, and maintenance of experimental treatments. Manipulate early-life diet and environment in representative frog species to quantify the extent of developmental plasticity on T cell receptor diversity and infection outcomes.
- Collect and sequence T-cell Receptor transcripts to analyze TCR diversity under different treatments and disease exposure scenarios. Experience withRNA and DNA extraction, library preps, and bioinformatic analyses. Manage data submission, retrieval, storage. Train and supervise undergraduate assistants tasked with animal husbandry and experiments, and molecular techniques.
- Assist in data analysis for research publication and complete research publications
- Help train and mentor graduate and undergraduate researchers in the lab.
Required Qualifications
- Ph.D. in biology, immunology, population genomics, or related field within 3 years prior to the effective employment date.
- Experience in molecular methods for collection of genomic data, and strong bioinformatic skills.
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience working with animals and in a genomics wet lab.
- Demonstrated ability to carry out research, troubleshoot new protocols.
- Demonstrated experience in molecular methods for collection of genomic data, and strong bioinformatic skills.
- Good communication skills and willingness to work in collaborative teams.
- Strong publication record and demonstrated ability to complete projects.
Salary Range
$65,000 + depending on qualifications
Working Conditions
- Uniforms and/or personal protection equipment (furnished)
- May work in all weather conditions
- May work around chemical fumes
- May work around standard office conditions
- May work around biohazards
- May work around chemicals
- Repetitive use of a keyboard at a workstation
- Use of manual dexterity
- Climbing of stairs
- Climbing of ladders
- Lifting and moving
Work Shift
- Flexible: 40 hours/week is required, and most of this time should be during normal business hours (e.g., 9:00am-5:00pm), although it may change depending on projects being pursued.
Required Materials
- Letter of interest
- Curriculum Vitae, including publications
- Brief statement of research interests
- Contact information for three references
- PhD Verification (copy of diploma or copy of official transcript in English with “degree awarded” information)
