Postdoctoral Researcher - Lyme Disease Bacteriophage Biology

Montana State University; Bozeman (MT); On-site; USD 60,000 - 76,000; Full time

Job summary

Montana State University is seeking a postdoctoral researcher to study bacteriophage biology in Borrelia burgdorferi, focusing on phiBB-1 and cp32 prophages. The role spans mechanistic biology and host-vector cycles in ticks and mice.

The successful candidate will develop a research focus aligned with their strengths; Lyme disease or tick experience is welcome but not required. Salary commensurate with experience.

Qualifications

• PhD or equivalent doctoral degree completed by start date in relevant life sciences fields.
• Experience with basic molecular biology, genetics, or genomics is expected.
• Strong record of research productivity (publications or dissertations).

Responsibilities

• Design and conduct studies of phiBB-1/cp32 biology and horizontal gene transfer.
• Investigate phage activity across tick and mammalian hosts.
• Develop or apply molecular biology, genomics, and computational approaches as appropriate.
• Contribute to data analysis, reproducible reporting, and publications.
• Collaborate across disciplines and mentor junior staff.

Education

PhD or equivalent doctoral degree in relevant field

Job description

Postdoctoral Researcher - Lyme Disease Bacteriophage Biology

Please see Special Instructions for more details.

This position is not eligible for new sponsorship.

Position Information

Announcement Number

Announcement Number STAFF - VA - 27075

For questions regarding this position, please contact:

Working Title Postdoctoral Researcher - Lyme Disease Bacteriophage Biology

Brief Position Overview

The Secor Lab seeks a postdoctoral researcher to investigate bacteriophage biology in the Lyme disease spirochete Borrelia burgdorferi. The successful candidate will help define how phiBB-1 controls horizontal gene transfer and bacterial adaptation across the tick-mouse infectious cycle.

Position Number

Position Number 4C2248

Department

Department Microbiology & Cell Biology

Division

Division College of Agriculture/MAES

Appointment Type

Appointment Type Research Professional

Contract Term

Contract Term Fiscal Year

Semester

If other, specify From date

If other, specify End date

FLSA

FLSA Exempt

Union Affiliation

Union Affiliation Exempt from Collective Bargaining

FTE

FTE 1.0

Benefits Eligible

Salary Salary commensurate with experience, education, and qualifications.

Contract Type

Contract Type LOA

If other, please specify

Recruitment Type

Recruitment Type Open

General Statement

The Department of Microbiology & Cell Biology at Montana State University invites applications for a full-time, benefits-eligible Postdoctoral Researcher in the Secor Laboratory. The Secor Lab studies how bacteria, bacteriophages, and animal hosts interact to shape microbial evolution and disease. This NIH / NIAID -funded project centers on the temperate bacteriophage phiBB-1, the cp32 prophage family, and phage-mediated movement of antigen and other genetic material among B. burgdorferi strains. The project combines mechanistic phage biology with the natural tick-vector and vertebrate-host cycle. A candidate will develop a research focus that builds on their strengths; prior Lyme disease or tick experience is welcome but is not required.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Design and conduct independent and collaborative studies of phiBB-1/cp32 biology, phage replication, lysis-lysogeny regulation, transduction, and horizontal gene transfer.
• Investigate how phage activity and genetic exchange influence B. burgdorferi across tick and mammalian host environments.
• Use and/or develop approaches in bacterial or phage genetics, molecular biology, vector biology, animal infection, microscopy, genomics, transcriptomics, biochemistry, or computational analysis, depending on expertise.
• Analyze data, maintain reproducible records, present findings, and lead or contribute to publications and funding applications.
• Collaborate across disciplines and contribute to mentoring and a safe, constructive research environment.

Required Qualifications – Experience, Education, Knowledge & Skills

• PhD or equivalent doctoral degree completed by the start date in microbiology, bacteriology, molecular biology, genetics or genomics, vector biology or entomology, infectious disease, immunology, biochemistry, bioinformatics or computational biology, or a closely related field.
• Research experience in at least one relevant area: bacterial or phage genetics; molecular biology or biochemistry; arthropod vector biology; animal models of infection; microscopy; genomics or transcriptomics; or quantitative/computational biology.
• Evidence of research productivity through a peer-reviewed publication, preprint, or substantive dissertation research.
• Experience analyzing research data and documenting experimental or computational methods and results.

Preferred Qualifications – Experience, Education, Knowledge & Skills

• Experience in one or more of the following: bacteriophages or prophages; transduction or horizontal gene transfer; Borrelia or other spirochetes; ticks or other arthropod vectors; mouse models of infection; bacterial genetic manipulation; fluorescence or electron microscopy; genome sequencing, RNA -seq, or bioinformatics.
• Experience developing, optimizing, or troubleshooting complex experimental or computational workflows.
• Experience working in a collaborative or multidisciplinary research setting.
• Experience mentoring or training students or research staff.

The Successful Candidate Will

• Demonstrate intellectual curiosity and the ability to connect questions across microbiology, phage biology, vector biology, and host-pathogen biology.
• Plan and advance research with appropriate independence while seeking input when useful.
• Communicate clearly, collaborate constructively, and contribute to an inclusive and supportive research environment.
• Approach experimental challenges with persistence, sound judgment, and attention to rigor and reproducibility.

Position Special Requirements/Additional Information

The position requires completion of applicable biosafety, animal-use, and arthropod-containment training.
This job description should not be construed as an exhaustive statement of duties, responsibilities or requirements, but a general description of the job. Nothing contained herein restricts Montana State University’s rights to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time.

Physical Demands

Work may include extended periods at a laboratory bench or computer; use of standard laboratory instruments and personal protective equipment; fine motor tasks; movement of materials weighing up to 25 pounds; and occasional work in animal or arthropod research spaces. Some experiments may require occasional evening or weekend time.
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily with or without reasonable accommodations. The requirements listed above are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.

This position has supervisory duties?

This position has supervisory duties? No

Number of Vacancies

Number of Vacancies 1

Desired Start Date

Position End Date (if temporary)

Open Date

Close Date

Applications will be:

Special Instructions

This position is not eligible for new sponsorship.

EEO Statement

Montana State University is an equal opportunity employer. MSU does not discriminate against any applicant on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, political ideas, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, marital status, national origin, physical or mental disability, or any other protected class status in violation of any applicable law.
In compliance with the Montana Veteran’s Employment Preference Act, MSU provides preference in employment to veterans, disabled veterans, and certain eligible relatives of veterans. To claim veteran’s preference, please complete the veteran’s preference information located in the Demographics section of your profile.

Required Documents

• Resume
• Cover Letter

Optional Documents

Supplemental Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).