We are looking for a Full-Time Postdoctoral Research Fellow to join UTHealth School of Public Health in Houston, TX. In this role you will process wastewater samples to extract nucleic acids, perform library preparation and sequencing, and develop analytical methods to characterize the bacteria and fungi present in these samples. This role involves advanced molecular work, data analysis, and staying abreast of emerging biomedical advances to continuously improve research outcomes. The postdoc will also collaborate with team members and external partners, contribute to manuscript preparation and publication of research findings, assist in securing grant funding, maintain laboratory equipment, and perform other assigned duties, thereby gaining valuable experience in research design, execution, and grantsmanship.

What we do here changes the world. UTHealth Houston is Texas' resource for healthcare education, innovation, scientific discovery, and excellence in patient care. That's where you come in.

Once you join us you won't want to leave. It's because we reward our team for the excellent service they provide. Our total rewards package includes the benefits you'd expect from a top healthcare organization (benefits, insurance, etc.), plus:

• 100% paid medical premiums for our full-time employees
• Generous time off (holidays, preventative leave day, both vacation and sick time - all of which equates to around 37-38 days per year)
• The longer you stay, the more vacation you'll accrue!
• Build your future with our awesome retirement/pension plan!

We take care of our employees! As a world-renowned institution, our employees' wellbeing is important to us. We offer work/life services such as...

• Free financial and legal counseling
• Free mental health counseling services
• Gym membership discounts and access to wellness programs
• Other employee discounts including entertainment, car rentals, cell phones, etc.
• Resources for child and elder care
• Plus many more!

Position Summary:

Texas Epidemic Public Health Institute (TEPHI), established by the 87th Texas Legislature (2021), is an agency associated with The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UTHealth). By leveraging the robust capabilities of Texas' largest school of public health and its six campuses located throughout the state in Austin, Brownsville, Dallas, El Paso, Houston, and San Antonio, TEPHI will:

• Create a trained multi-sector public health reserve of at least 3, 100 members across the state.
• Establish a reliable and secure data analysis infrastructure reinforced by the Department of State Health Services (DSHS).
• Create a laboratory testing network to monitor for emerging infectious agents beyond COVID-19.
• Develop new and operationalize current "work and learn safe" protocols for small and rural businesses, schools, and essential food production.

Process wastewater samples to extract nucleic acids, perform library preparation and sequencing, and develop analytical methods to characterize the bacteria and fungi present in these samples. This role involves advanced molecular work, data analysis, and staying abreast of emerging biomedical advances to continuously improve research outcomes. The postdoc will also collaborate with team members and external partners, contribute to manuscript preparation and publication of research findings, assist in securing grant funding, maintain laboratory equipment, and perform other assigned duties, thereby gaining valuable experience in research design, execution, and grantsmanship.

Position Key Accountabilities:

• Design and implement wastewater sequencing data analysis pipeline
• Perform analyses of wastewater sequencing data
• Process wastewater samples to extract nucleic acid
• Perform library preparation and sequence the extracted nucleic acid
• Stay abreast of new biomedical progress and technological advances in order to upgrade research skills and produce better and faster results
• Collaborate with members of the research team and external collaborators and submit research findings for publication to advance the scientific knowledge of others
• Assist in obtaining grant funds and other types of financial support
• Maintain lab equipment
• Perform other duties as assigned

Minimum Education:

• Doctoral/Terminal Degree
• Candidates must hold a Ph.D. or equivalent doctorate in microbiology, molecular biology, bioinformatics, or a related field, although applicants with degrees in other disciplines may be considered if they possess the requisite skills for microbial and genomic research.
• Preferred skills include next-generation sequencing, library preparation, microbial genomics, and bioinformatics, but candidates with a strong research background are encouraged to apply.

Physical Requirements:

Exerts up to 20 pounds of force occasionally and/or up to 10 pounds frequently and/or a negligible amount constantly to move objects.

Security Sensitive:

This job class may contain positions that are security sensitive and thereby subject to the provisions of Texas Education Code § 51.215

Residency Requirement:

Employees must permanently reside and work in the State of Texas.