Postdoctoral Researcher - Mitochondrial Energetics and Nutrient Utilization (MENU) Lab

Louisiana State University; United States; On-site; USD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Flexible spending accounts

Retirement options

Paid holidays

Tuition exemption

Job summary

Pennington Biomedical Research Center, a campus of Louisiana State University, seeks a Postdoctoral Researcher in the MENU Lab to study mitochondrial energetics, nutrient utilization, and diet-health relationships. The role focuses on multi-omics, bioinformatics, and independent research design, with mentoring responsibilities for students and staff.

The candidate will design experiments, analyze complex data, and publish findings at scientific venues, contributing to translational nutrition

Qualifications

• PhD in nutrition, physiology, or closely related biomedical discipline.
• Two years of independent laboratory research experience in nutrition, metabolism, or related field.
• Experience with molecular, cellular, biochemical, and physiological techniques.
• Strong data analysis and bioinformatics skills.
• Scholarly publications and conference presentations.
• Ability to mentor students and staff.

Responsibilities

• Design and conduct independent and collaborative research studies on diet-health and diet-disease relationships.
• Analyze high-dimensional datasets using bioinformatics methods.
• Plan, execute, and optimize metabolic assessment techniques.
• Analyze large-scale datasets (e.g., NHANES) to meet objectives.
• Prepare manuscripts, abstracts, and conference presentations.
• Mentor graduate students, researchers, and technicians.
• Maintain accurate lab records and ensure GLP and safety compliance.

Skills

Bioinformatics analysis

Statistical analysis

Scientific writing

Mentoring/teaching

Education

PhD in nutrition, physiology, or related biomedical field

Tools

Mass spectrometry

Biostatistics software

Job description

About Us:

At the forefront of medical discovery as it relates to understanding the causes of obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, cancer and dementia, Pennington Biomedical Research Center is a campus of Louisiana State University and conducts basic, clinical and population research. The Center includes Basic Science, Clinical Research, and Population and Public Health, enabling both focused research and translational science. Research at Pennington Biomedical is supported broadly by multiple NIH Research Centers, and includes approximately 65 faculty and 20 postdoctoral fellows who comprise a network of 44 laboratories and 13 highly specialized core service facilities. Pennington Biomedical is located within state‑of‑the‑art research facilities on a 222‑acre campus in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

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Job Posting Title:

Postdoctoral Researcher - Mitochondrial Energetics and Nutrient Utilization (MENU) Lab

Position Type:

Other Academic

Department:

LSUPBRC Clinic - MENU Lab (Jacob Mey (00053188))

Work Location:

LSU - Pennington Biomedical

Pay Grade:

Other Academic

Job Description:

Pennington Biomedical Research Center, a world‑renowned academic research institute of Louisiana State University, is seeking a Postdoctoral Researcher in the Mitochondrial Energetics and Nutrient Utilization (MENU) Laboratory. The Postdoctoral Researcher will conduct advanced, independent, and collaborative research focused on clinical dietetics, precision nutrition and underlying biological mechanisms underlying the relationships between diet and health. This position is responsible for designing and executing innovative research studies, analyzing and interpreting complex experimental data, with particular focus on multi‑omics platforms and bioinformatics, and disseminating findings through peer‑reviewed publications and scientific presentations. The Postdoctoral Researcher mentors students and research staff, collaborates with multidisciplinary investigators, and supports the laboratory’s overall research mission while ensuring compliance with institutional, regulatory, and laboratory safety standards.

Major Responsibilities

Design, develop, and conduct independent and collaborative research studies investigating the physiological mechanisms underlying diet‑health and diet‑disease relationships using advanced experimental approaches. Analyze high dimensional datasets utilizing modern bioinformatics techniques, especially pertaining to metabolic and nutrient utilization pathways. Plan, execute, troubleshoot, and optimize complex metabolic assessment techniques, including hyperinsulinemic‑euglycemic clamps, oral glucose tolerance tests and mixed meal tolerance tests. Design and implement research studies involving analyzing large‑scale datasets on diet and health e.g. NHANES and other specialized databases necessary to achieve research objectives. Plan, execute, troubleshoot, and optimize complex laboratory techniques, including mass spectrometry, molecular biology, protein analysis, histological and immunohistochemical methods, metabolic assays, and other specialized techniques necessary to achieve research objectives. Collect, process, and analyze biological specimens, including blood, breath, tissue, and cultured cells, ensuring sample integrity and adherence to established laboratory, biosafety, and quality assurance procedures. Analyze, interpret, and integrate complex experimental data using appropriate statistical methods and scientific software to generate meaningful conclusions and identify future research directions. Prepare manuscripts, abstracts, scientific reports, and presentations for publication in peer‑reviewed journals and presentation at local, national, and international scientific conferences. Contribute to the development of grant proposals, fellowship applications, progress reports, and other sponsored research activities by generating preliminary data, drafting scientific content, and assisting with research planning. Collaborate with principal investigators, faculty, clinicians, and multidisciplinary research teams to develop innovative research strategies, establish new methodologies, and advance the overall scientific goals of the laboratory and institution. Mentor graduate students, research associates, technicians, and other trainees by providing scientific guidance, technical instruction, and oversight of laboratory activities while fostering a collaborative research environment. Maintain accurate, comprehensive, and well‑organized research records, ensuring compliance with institutional policies, funding agency requirements, laboratory safety regulations, and Good Laboratory Practices (GLP), where applicable. Assist with laboratory management activities, including maintenance and calibration of research equipment, inventory management, protocol development, regulatory documentation, and implementation of quality control procedures to support efficient laboratory operations. Remain current with emerging scientific literature, technological advances, and best practices nutrition, metabolism, and related disciplines by participating in laboratory meetings, seminars, journal clubs, professional development activities, and scientific conferences. Other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications

PhD in nutrition, physiology, or closely related biomedical discipline. Two (2) years of experience conducting independent laboratory research in nutrition, metabolism, or related biomedical discipline, which can include internships, academic research, or work in a clinical or research lab setting. Proficiency in a variety of molecular, cellular, biochemical, and physiological laboratory techniques, with the ability to develop, optimise, and troubleshoot experimental protocols. Experience analyzing and interpreting complex scientific data using appropriate statistical methods and scientific software, with a focus on bioinformatics. Record of scholarly achievement, including peer‑reviewed publications and scientific presentations commensurate with career stage. Knowledge of experimental design, research methodology, and scientific principles applicable to translational or basic biomedical research. Demonstrated ability to work independently while contributing effectively within a multidisciplinary research team. Strong scientific writing, verbal communication, and presentation skills, with the ability to prepare manuscripts, reports, and grant‑related materials. Experience in mentoring or training students, research staff, or laboratory personnel is preferred. Commitment to maintaining compliance with laboratory safety procedures, institutional policies, and applicable regulatory and funding agency requirements.

Preferred Experience

Clinical dietetics, human nutrition and metabolism, and bioinformatics related to plasma metabolomics and multi‑omics platforms.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

Pennington Biomedical Research Center seeks to recruit a highly productive workforce with a broad range of backgrounds and perspectives and will provide equal employment opportunities to all employees and prospective employees. Employment decisions shall be based strictly on merit and without regard to religious or political beliefs, sex, race, or any other non‑merit factor.

Posting Information

Posting Date: September 17, 2026 Closing Date (Open Until Filled if No Date Specified): October 1, 2026

Additional Position Information

Additional Position Information: Pennington Biomedical is located within state‑of‑the‑art research facilities on a 222‑acre campus in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. For more information, visit PBRC.

Background Check

An offer of employment is contingent on a satisfactory pre‑employment background check.

Benefits

• health, life, dental, and vision insurance
• flexible spending accounts
• retirement options
• various leave options
• paid holidays
• wellness benefits
• tuition exemption for qualified positions
• training and development opportunities
• employee discounts
• and more!

Positions approved to work outside the State of Louisiana

Positions approved to work outside the State of Louisiana shall be employed through Louisiana State University’s partner, nextSource Workforce Solutions, for Employer of Record Services including but not limited to employment, benefits, payroll, and tax compliance. Positions employed through Employer of Record Services will be offered benefits and retirement as applicable through their provider and will not be eligible for State of Louisiana benefits and retirement.

Essential Position (Y/N)

Pennington Biomedical Research Center/LSU is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Contact Information

Questions or concerns can be directed to PBRC Human Resources at 225‑763‑2776 or [e-mail].

LSU Overview

LSU includes institutions, facilities and programs in each of Louisiana’s 64 parishes, and its campuses stretch the length of the state from New Orleans to Shreveport. Each institution plays a vital role in preparing students to incorporate new knowledge and technologies into their daily lives. LSU researchers across Louisiana are working on developing a wide‑range of innovations to improve quality of life by studying issues such as disease management, advance medical treatments, obesity, coastal protection, hurricane preparedness, energy, natural resource management and agriculture, among others. Louisiana’s Flagship University is a land‑, sea- and space‑grant institution with academic programs in all areas of science, engineering, humanities, arts and social sciences. The University comprises of nine institutions: Louisiana State University and Agricultural and Mechanical College (“LSU”), the premier flagship university for the state, which include the Paul M. Hebert Law Center and the School of Veterinary Medicine Louisiana State University at Alexandria Louisiana State University at Eunice Louisiana State University at Shreveport LSU Health Sciences Center – New Orleans LSU Health Science Center – Shreveport The Health Care Services Division Louisiana State University Agricultural Center Pennington Biomedical Research Center Any other college, university, school, institution, or program now or hereafter under the supervision and management of the Board of Supervisors of Louisiana State University and Agricultural and Mechanical College In implementing its mission, LSU is committed to: Offering a broad array of undergraduate degree programs and extensive graduate research opportunities designed to attract and educate highly qualified undergraduate and graduate students; Employing faculty who are excellent teacher‑scholars, nationally competitive in research and creative activities, and who contribute to a world‑class knowledge base that is transferable to educational, professional, cultural, and economic enterprises; and Using its extensive resources to solve economic, environmental, and social challenges.