Post-Doctoral Research Associate: Department of Microbiology - UTK

The Heppert lab in the Department of Microbiology at the University of Tennessee is seeking a Post Doctoral Scholar to support general laboratory activities and perform research exploring animal-microbe interactions. Research projects will center around using entomopathogenic nematodes and their symbiotic bacteria to identify molecular and cellular mechanisms that underly the colonization and persistence of beneficial microbes within host animals.

This position is contingent upon continued funding of the lab.

Responsibilities of the position include, but are not limited to:

• Perform lab experiments to characterize bacterial and nematodes traits and genes important for colonization and persistence of beneficial bacteria within an animal host.
• Propagation and maintenance of entomopathogenic nematode strains, including cryogenic preservation of strains.
• Thoroughly and completely document experiments and results.
• Analyze data and deliver written and oral reports.
• Write and publish manuscripts based on the generated data.

Supervision and mentoring of undergraduate and/or graduate student assistants for their research activities will be required. The successful candidate will also be expected to develop independent and novel research ideas related to understanding bacterial-host plant interactions.

Required Qualifications

Education:

• Doctoral Degree in Microbiology, Molecular and Cellular Biology, Agroecology, or related field

Experience:

• Experience in aseptic and microbiological techniques to grow and perform experiments with bacteria in in vitro conditions.
• Experience in entomopathogenic nematode and insect propagation and husbandry.
• Extensive background working with molecular techniques (i.e. DNA/RNA extractions, PCR, RNA sequencing, qRT-PCR, etc).
• Extensive microscopy background (i.e. light microscopy, fluorescence microscopy, electron microscopy, etc.)

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:

• Knowledge in working with bacteria and performing cloning and mutation of genes of interest.
• The ability to grow, maintain, and quantify nematodes and perform research in nematode-insect and nematode-bacterial interactions.
• Quantitative skills in statistical analysis.
• A high level of organization, attention to detail, and careful documentation of results and lab inventory.

Preferred Qualifications

Education:

• Doctoral Degree in Microbiology, Molecular and Cellular Biology, Agroecology, or related field

Experience:

• Experience in microscopy for both nematodes and bacteria.
• Experience in genetic techniques.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:

• Highly motivated and the ability to work as part of a team and independently.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• The ability to develop independent research ideas.
• The ability to support the lab by assisting in purchasing of research materials, participating in laboratory meetings, and assisting in establishing standard operating protocols.

Work Location

• Location: Knoxville, TN
• Onsite

Compensation and Benefits

• UT market range: MR00
• Anticipated hiring range: $55,000-57,000
• Find more information on the UT Market Range structure here
• Find more information on UT Benefits here

Application Instructions

To express interest, please submit an application with the noted below attachments. To be assured of full consideration, completed applications with all requested materials should be submitted on or before Oct 31, 2025.

• Resume
• Cover Letter
• List of 3 Professional References

About The Department

The Department of Microbiology values the quality of life of all its members, and we are committed to recruiting and retaining a diverse community and to supporting the intercultural goals of the University. Knoxville is an exciting and affordable city that has undergone a vibrant civic revitalization over the past several years and is being recognized as one of the most exciting up-and-coming regions in the country. Nestled in the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains, Knoxville offers a broad spectrum of educational, recreational, and cultural opportunities.