Postdoctoral Scholar in Microbial Pathogenesis

Begell House Inc.; Santa Cruz (CA); On-site; USD 60,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

University of California, Santa Cruz invites applications for an NIH-funded Postdoctoral Scholar position in the Auerbuch Stone lab. The project investigates how bacterial pathogens sense host-derived signals such as iron and oxygen to optimize virulence and infection outcomes using genetics, genomics, microscopy, and animal models.

Ideal candidates are recent Ph.D. graduates with expertise in microbiology, bacterial genetics, and molecular biology, particularly with animal models.

Qualifications

• Ph.D. in microbiology or related field.
• Experience in bacterial genetics and molecular biology.
• Experience with animal models is highly desirable.

Responsibilities

• Lead independent research projects in host–pathogen interactions.
• Publish first-author papers and present findings.
• Mentor junior researchers and collaborate with UC Santa Cruz investigators.

Skills

Microbiology

Bacterial genetics

Molecular biology

Animal models

Education

Ph.D. in Microbiology/Biology

Tools

Animal models

Job description

We invite highly-motived applicants for an NIH-funded Postdoctoral Scholar position in the Auerbuch Stone lab at the University of California Santa Cruz. Our research focuses on understanding how bacterial pathogens sense and respond to the host environment to successfully establish infection. Using a combination of bacterial genetics, genomics, microscopy, and animal models, we investigate the regulatory networks that control virulence gene expression, with a particular emphasis on how pathogens such as Yersinia integrate host-derived signals such as iron and oxygen to optimize their infection strategy. This project will examine how iron availability shapes host–pathogen interactions and infection outcomes, leveraging models of healthy, anemic, and hereditary hemochromatosis hosts.

The successful candidate will join a collaborative and supportive research environment and play a leading role in driving interdisciplinary research in host-pathogen interactions. We welcome applications from recent Ph.D. graduates with expertise in microbiology, bacterial genetics, and molecular biology, particularly those with experience using animal models. The postdoctoral scholar will have the opportunity to lead first-author publications, develop independent research directions, mentor trainees, collaborate with investigators at UC Santa Cruz and partner institutions, and receive strong support for fellowship applications and career development toward academic, government, or industry positions.