Post Doctoral Scholar

N.C. A&T; Greensboro (NC); Hybrid; USD 50,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

North Carolina A&T State University seeks a postdoctoral researcher to conduct full-time research under a USDA-NIFA Evans-Allen project on dietary polyphenols and gut dysbiosis related to peanut sensitivity. You will assist polyphenol extraction, microbiome analyses, and multi-omics data integration, while mentoring two graduate students and one undergraduate student.

The role involves immunological assays, metabolomics sample prep, manuscript preparation, and utilizing CEPHT’s Illumina NovaSeq

Qualifications

• Ph.D. in Food Science, Nutrition, Biochemistry, Microbiology, Molecular Biology, Immunology, Animal Science, or a related field by appointment date.
• Demonstrated research experience in molecular biology, microbiology, immunology, nutrition, food bioactives, or related discipline.
• Experience with lab techniques such as DNA/RNA extraction, PCR/qPCR, immunoassays, cell-based assays, chromatography/mass spectrometry, or related methods.

Responsibilities

• Conduct full-time research under a USDA-NIFA Evans-Allen project titled “Dietary Polyphenols Modulate Gut Dysbiosis Associated with Peanut Sensitivity.”
• Support polyphenol extraction/characterization, peanut sensitization studies, sample collection/processing, microbiome and molecular analyses, immunological assays, metabolomics prep, and multi-omics data integration.
• Mentor two graduate students and one undergraduate student; assist manuscript preparation; utilize CEPHT’s Illumina NovaSeq X sequencing capabilities.

Skills

Molecular biology

Immunology

Microbiology

Education

PhD in Food Science or related field

Tools

DNA/RNA extraction

PCR/qPCR

Chromatography/Mass spectrometry

Job description

Position Overview

The successful candidate will conduct full-time research under a USDA - NIFA Evans-Allen project titled “Dietary Polyphenols Modulate Gut Dysbiosis Associated with Peanut Sensitivity.” The postdoctoral researcher will support polyphenol extraction and characterization, peanut sensitization studies, biological sample collection and processing, microbiome and molecular analyses, immunological assays, metabolomics sample preparation, multi-omics data integration, manuscript preparation, and mentoring of two graduate students and one undergraduate student. The position will also support research using CEPHT’s advanced analytical capabilities, including the Illumina NovaSeq X next-generation sequencing platform.

Primary Purpose of Position

Conduct full‑time research under a USDA - NIFA Evans-Allen project titled “Dietary Polyphenols Modulate Gut Dysbiosis Associated with Peanut Sensitivity.”

Primary Function of Organizational Unit

The Center for Excellence in Post Harvest Technologies fosters interdisciplinary research in post-harvest technologies, including developing and testing functional foods, isolating and characterizing the health‑promoting components in foods, improving processes to extend shelf life and control spoilage and food‑borne pathogens, developing new value‑added products from agricultural commodities, evaluating and modeling consumer acceptance of food products, developing and testing novel biodegradable and bioactive food packaging, and optimizing parameters for process‑engineering. CEPHT provides unique opportunities for experiential education of young scientists in cutting‑edge technologies and applied post‑harvest research. CEPHT seeks science‑based solutions to post‑harvest issues facing growers, food processors, distributors and consumers. We provide seminars, short courses, workshops, and educational materials that respond to the needs of growers, and food processing and packing industries. With advanced tools, facilities and personnel, CEPHT is prepared to help producers, processors, distributors and retailers with all aspects of post‑harvest processing, including packaging, consumer research, analysis of food components, and development of new food products. N.C. A&T is a public, land‑grant, doctoral research institution and has been the largest historically Black university in the country for the past decade. With an enrollment of 15,275 students in Fall 2026, the university offers 59 undergraduate degree programs, 36 master’s programs, and 12 doctoral programs. It is America’s top producer of Black graduates in Engineering and Agricultural Science bachelor’s programs, as well as a top five producer in numerous additional disciplines, including Liberal Arts and Communications/Journalism. It also ranks no. 3 in master’s degrees awarded to Black graduates in Engineering Technologies and Related Fields, no. 4 in master’s degrees in Engineering, and no. 11 best business school for women in the nation. Nationally recognized for its leadership and excellence in STEM education and research, N.C. A&T is classified as “R2‑High Research Activity” in the Carnegie Classifications and is poised to achieve “R1‑Very High Research Activity” status. It also holds Carnegie’s earned credential in Community Engagement and the Association of Public and Land‑Grant Universities (APLU) Innovation and Economic Prosperity designation. With an annual economic impact of $2.4 billion, N.C. A&T plays a vital role as a higher‑education economic driver in North Carolina’s Piedmont Triad region and across a state that is ranked No. 1 in the nation for the second straight year as “best for business” by the CNBC financial network.

Employee Benefits available to NC A & T permanent employees include the following and more;

• Accrued Vacation and Sick Leave for Eligible Employees
• Community Service Leave
• Aetna – State Health Benefits of North Carolina
• NCFlex – Vision, Dental, Flexible Spending Account, Life Insurance and more
• 12 Paid Holidays
• Teachers and State Employees Retirement System (TSERS)
• Optional Supplemental Plans – 401k, 403b, 457b and 457
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Campus Recreation Center Discount
• University Bookstore Discount
• and more

Remote or Hybrid Work Arrangement

This position may be eligible for a remote or hybrid work arrangement, consistent with university and state policies. N.C. A&T employees are generally required to reside in North Carolina, within a 2-hour commuting distance of their assigned duty station.

Position Requirements

• Ph.D. in Food Science, Nutrition, Biochemistry, Microbiology, Molecular Biology, Immunology, Animal Science, or a related field by the date of appointment.
• Demonstrated research experience in molecular biology, microbiology, immunology, nutritional sciences, food bioactives, or a related discipline.
• Experience with laboratory techniques such as DNA / RNA extraction, PCR /qPCR, immunoassays, cell-based assays, chromatography/mass spectrometry, or related analytical methods.
• Strong scientific writing, data interpretation, organization, and communication skills.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a multidisciplinary research environment.

Position Information

Position Number 007865

Recruitment Salary Range $50,000-$55,000

FLSA Exempt

Appointment Type Time Limited - Full-time

Tenure Track No

If Time Limited, Appointment Length 09/30/2029

Organizational Division CEPHT

Organizational Location College of Ag & Environ Sciences

Organizational Unit CEPHT

Posting Number EPA3268

Open Date 10/27/2026

Open Until Filled Yes

Open Until Filled Minimum Application Period Postings: Positions remaining posted after this date are continuing to accept applications, but may close at any time. Applications received by this date will receive full consideration, applications received after this date may receive consideration depending on the status of the search

Date Position Available 11/01/2026

Equal Opportunity Statement

North Carolina A&T State University is an Equal Opportunity and Affi­ative Action Employer. No one who applies or seeks employment will be denied admission to or employment at North Carolina A&T State University on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, sex, age, disabling condition, veteran status, political affiliation, genetic information or sexual orientation and sexual identity.

Contact Information

Contact Division of Human Resources Phone: [phone] Fax: [phone] Email: [e-mail]