Researcher 1

Ohio State University; Columbus (OH); On-site; USD 52,000 - 67,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental and vision coverage

Paid time off (PTO)

State retirement plan

11 holidays

Job summary

The Ohio State University is seeking a Researcher 1 to join the Ballash Lab in the College of Veterinary Medicine. You will contribute to a multidisciplinary program on antimicrobial resistance in stream ecosystems, spanning field sampling, bacterial isolation, PCR, and data analysis.

You will work at the interface of environmental microbiology and epidemiology, supporting projects with laboratory and environmental datasets.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a related field or equivalent experience.
• Experience with bacterial culture and isolation techniques.
• Experience with PCR and related molecular methods.
• Strong organization and attention to detail.
• Excellent oral and written communication.
• Ability to work independently and in a team.
• Experience managing and analyzing scientific data.

Responsibilities

• Conduct field and laboratory investigations on antimicrobial resistance in aquatic environments.
• Isolate and characterize bacteria; perform molecular analyses and culture-based experiments.
• Integrate lab findings with environmental and field data for multidisciplinary insights.
• Support data management and contribute to project reports.

Skills

Bacterial culture

Molecular techniques

Growth curves & data

Communication skills

Independence & teamwork

Data analysis

Education

Bachelor's degree in Microbiology/Environmental Science/Biology

Tools

PCR

Laboratory equipment

Job description

Job Title: Researcher 1 Department: Veterinary Medicine | Ohio Department of Education State Funding

The Ballash Lab at the Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine is seeking a highly motivated researcher to join a multidisciplinary research program focused on understanding the ecology and environmental drivers of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in stream ecosystems. The successful candidate will contribute to field and laboratory investigations examining the occurrence, persistence, and dissemination of antimicrobial-resistant bacteria and resistance genes in aquatic environments. This position offers an opportunity to work at the interface of environmental microbiology, microbial ecology, and epidemiology. The researcher will support projects involving bacterial isolation and characterization, molecular analyses, culture-based experiments, and integration of laboratory findings with environmental and field-based datasets.

Minimum Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Microbiology, Environmental Science, Biology, Molecular Biology, Public Health, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Demonstrated experience with: Bacterial culture and isolation techniques. Maintenance and characterization of bacterial isolates. Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) and related molecular biology methods. Bacterial growth curve experiments and data analysis.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Ability to work independently while contributing effectively within a collaborative research team.
• Experience managing and analyzing scientific data.

Target Salary Range: $51,500.00 - $67,250.00 per year; commensurate with experience, internal equity, the unit’s available budget, and the candidate’s qualifications.

Location: Sisson Hall (0080)

Position Type: Temporary (Fixed Term)

Scheduled Hours: 40

Shift: First Shift

Final candidates are subject to successful completion of a background check. A drug screen or physical may be required during the post offer process.

Benefits

Ohio State benefits give you options to take care of what matters most to you — and opportunities to make adjustments as your life and needs change, including:

• Medical, dental and vision coverage, with Ohio State paying a significant portion of the cost.
• Paid time off, including sick and vacation time and 11 holidays.
• State retirement plan or an alternative retirement plan, both with generous employer contributions.

The university is an equal opportunity employer, including veterans and disability.

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