Postdoctoral Associate -Pediatrics/ Emerging Pathogens Institute - Nelson Research Group

Department: Pediatrics/ Emerging Pathogens Institute

Mentor:  Eric Nelson, MD PhD

Research Group: Nelson

Position Description:

A postdoctoral research position is available in the laboratory of Eric Nelson MD PhD at the Emerging Pathogens Institute, University of Florida. The overall goal of our laboratory is to develop better methods to improve the care, diagnosis and management of patients during large-scale diarrheal disease outbreaks. Our model system is cholera and our primary collaborative field sites are in Bangladesh and Haiti. In the field, our research focuses on identifying and characterizing key selective pressures that drive disease severity and transmission. At the University of Florida, we test hypotheses derived from the field studies in animal models of infection and transmission.

The current available project lies at the physiologic interface between host and pathogen. Specifically, the first phase of research involves characterizing the microbiota of human diarrheal disease samples and identifying antimicrobial factors important to pathogenesis and transmission (e.g. antibiotics by LC/MS and bacteriophage). Samples will be characterized for markers of small bowel overgrowth, environmental enteropathy, and innate/ acquired immunity dysfunction. Descriptive findings will then be evaluated for causation in animal models using genetic manipulations of pathogens of interest (e.g. Vibrio cholerae). The second phase will involve two clinical studies. The first is to study the impact of single-dose antibiotics on the microbiota inside and outside the gastrointestinal tract during cholera infection. The second study involves assessing a novel point of care diagnostic for V. cholerae. The clinical studies will require intermittent field research.

Key words: cholera, Vibrio cholerae, AMR, antimicrobial resistance, microbiome

Qualifications:

Ph.D. and at least 3 first-author publications in an indexed journal are required. A molecular microbiology skill-set AND an interest in global health are required. Experience with next generation sequencing, bioinformatics (R), immunology, gene deletion/ complementation in bacteria, animal models of infection, project management and field research are desired.

Timing: The position is available as soon as possible. The position is at least one year and extension is contingent on satisfactory performance. Although this is a funded position, the candidate is encouraged to apply for additional funding.

Salary: Nationally competitive and set by the University of Florida post-doctoral office.

Laboratory information is available at:

https://nelson.research.pediatrics.med.ufl.edu/resources/

Please complete applications through the application link provided. Inquiries may be sent to eric.nelson@ufl.edu with the subject “PostDoc”. Please attach CV, letter of interest, contact information for three recommendation letters, and attached representative publication(s).