Postdoc: Rapid Detection of Foodborne Pathogens

Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education; Wyndmoor (PA); On-site; USD 69,636 - 83,411; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance through ORISE

Job summary

Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education (ORISE) is offering a postdoctoral opportunity with the USDA ARS CIFP Research Unit in Wyndmoor, PA. The role focuses on developing rapid detection methods for foodborne pathogenic bacteria using molecular and omics approaches.

Researchers will work on isolation of pathogens from foods, qPCR-based validation, and assay optimization. Start date is September 14, 2026, with a one-year appointment potentially renewable and a monthly stipend aligned with

Qualifications

• PhD in Life Health and Medical Sciences, Agricultural Sciences, or closely related field.
• Citizenship: U.S. citizen only; doctoral degree required.
• Experience with rapid, field-deployable diagnostic methods is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Develop rapid, field-deployable detection methods for foodborne pathogens.
• Isolate pathogenic bacteria from foods and evaluate assay designs.
• Apply qPCR and other molecular techniques for validation of novel diagnostics.
• Evaluate, optimize and troubleshoot new assay designs for sensitivity and specificity.
• Engage with omics approaches to identify targets for rapid testing platforms.

Skills

Sterile technique

BSL2 pathogen handling

PCR

qPCR

Food safety sampling

Rapid method development

Sample preparation

Education

PhD in Life Health and Medical Sciences or Agricultural Sciences

Tools

PCR equipment

qPCR

Job description

Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education (ORISE) is offering a postdoctoral opportunity with the USDA ARS CIFP Research Unit in Wyndmoor, PA. The role focuses on developing rapid detection methods for foodborne pathogenic bacteria using molecular and omics approaches.

Researchers will work on isolation of pathogens from foods, qPCR-based validation, and assay optimization. Start date is September 14, 2026, with a one-year appointment potentially renewable and a monthly stipend aligned with