Postdoctoral Research Fellow - Microbiology and Molecular Genetics

Dr. Navonil Banerjee in the Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics at McGovern Medical School is seeking a Postdoctoral Research Fellow. The Banerjee lab explores how host-derived chemical cues drive parasitism in helminths at a cellular, molecular and organismal level. Leveraging knowledge of parasitology and neurobiology, the laboratory investigates how human-parasitic helminths detect, interpret and utilize chemical signals derived from hosts to establish infections.

We are looking for highly motivated, detail-oriented, and collaborative candidates with strong writing and verbal communication skills to join our research team. The ideal candidate will be able to work independently with minimal supervision within a multidisciplinary, diverse group. Strong emphasis will be put on grant writing, scientific communication skills, collaborative efforts and career development. This postdoctoral position offers early-career researchers the chance to gain valuable experience, develop independent research skills, learn cutting-edge techniques, and contribute to advancing scientific knowledge in their specific area of research.

Position Duties:
• Plan and conduct experiments, analyze data, and prepare publications describing results.
• Assists in training and mentoring lab personnel, including graduate students and other trainees.
• Reads and evaluates relevant literature in the field.
• Possess interpersonal skills to effectively collaborate and communicate with individuals at all levels.
• Possesses strong written and oral communication skills.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

What we do here changes the world. UTHealth Houston is Texas' resource for healthcare education, innovation, scientific discovery, and excellence in patient care. That's where you come in.

Once you join us you won't want to leave. It's because we reward our team for the excellent service they provide. Our total rewards package includes the benefits you'd expect from a top healthcare organization (benefits, insurance, etc.), plus:

• 100% paid medical premiums for our full-time employees
• Generous time off (holidays, preventative leave day, both vacation and sick time - all of which equates to around 37-38 days per year)
• The longer you stay, the more vacation you'll accrue!
• Build your future with our awesome retirement/pension plan!

We take care of our employees! As a world-renowned institution, our employees' wellbeing is important to us. We offer work/life services such as...

• Free financial and legal counseling
• Free mental health counseling services
• Gym membership discounts and access to wellness programs
• Other employee discounts including entertainment, car rentals, cell phones, etc.
• Resources for child and elder care
• Plus many more!

Position Summary:

A biomedical postdoc position provides an opportunity for early-career researchers to gain valuable experience, develop independent research skills, and contribute to the advancement of scientific knowledge in their field of expertise.

Position Key Accountabilities:

1. Plans and conducts experiments, analyzes data, and prepares publications describing results.
2. Assists in training and mentoring of lab personnel, including graduate students and other trainees.
3. Reads and evaluates literature.
4. Possess interpersonal skills to effectively collaborate and communicate with individuals at all levels.
5. Have strong written and oral communication skills.
6. Performs other duties as assigned.

Minimum Education:

Doctoral/Terminal Degree. A recent PhD or equivalent in biology or a related scientific field, or candidates who are soon to complete their PhD.

Preferred Experience:

• Experience in one or more of the following will be an added advantage: molecular biology, fluorescence microscopy, biochemical assays, genomics, transcriptomics.
• Prior experience working with helminths including C. elegans is desired but not required.
• Work under BSL2 laboratory conditions.
• Handling of rodents.
• Development of new projects for possible grant proposal submission and collaboration with other faculty members are strongly encouraged.

Physical Requirements:

Exerts up to 20 pounds of force occasionally and/or up to 10 pounds frequently and/or a negligible amount constantly to move objects.

Security Sensitive:

This job class may contain positions that are security sensitive and thereby subject to the provisions of Texas Education Code § 51.215. This position is a security-sensitive position pursuant to Texas Education Code §51.215 and Texas Government Code §411.094. To the extent that a position requires the holder to research, work on, or have access to critical infrastructure as defined in Texas Business and Commerce Code §117.001(2), the ability to maintain the security or integrity of the infrastructure is a minimum qualification to be hired for and to continue to be employed in that position. Personnel in such positions, and similarly situated state contractors, will be routinely reviewed to determine whether things such as criminal history or continuous connections to the government or political apparatus of a foreign adversary might prevent the applicant, employee, or contractor from being able to maintain the security or integrity of the infrastructure. A foreign adversary is a nation listed in 15 C.F.R. §791.4.

Residency Requirement:

Employees must permanently reside and work in the State of Texas.