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This is a term position; length of the term will be discussed during the interview process. Continuation past the term length discussed will be based on university need, performance, and/or availability of funding.
POSITION SPECIFICS
Postdoctoral Scholar
Mycobacterial & Zoonotic Disease Research
Kapur Laboratory · Huck Institutes of the Life Sciences · The Pennsylvania State University
Position
Postdoctoral Scholar (full-time)
Department
Huck Institutes of the Life Sciences
Location
University Park, PA, with periodic international travel
Funding
Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and NIH (multi-year)
Duration
Annual appointment, renewable based on performance
About the Position
The Kapur Laboratory works on bovine tuberculosis and related zoonotic diseases in low- and middle-income countries, where conventional test-and-slaughter control is not viable. The program develops and validates diagnostics, vaccines, and surveillance tools intended for national deployment, working in close partnership with government, academic, and commercial institutions in India, Ethiopia, and several high-income countries.
We seek a Postdoctoral Researcher to contribute to laboratory and field components of this work, with a balance of bench science, data analysis, and engagement with international partners.
This Postdoctoral Scholar position is an initial appointment for one year, renewable upon satisfactory performance and continued funding.
Responsibilities
Design, execute, and analyze laboratory and field studies in mycobacteriology, immunology, or molecular epidemiology.
Contribute to assay development and validation, and to bioinformatic or analytical pipelines as appropriate.
Prepare manuscripts, present at scientific meetings, and contribute to grant proposals and funder reports.
Engage directly with international partners, including travel to field sites in India and Ethiopia.
Mentor junior trainees and contribute to consortium activities.
Qualifications
Required
PhD in veterinary science, microbiology, immunology, infectious diseases, epidemiology, or a related field.
Strong publication record relative to career stage.
Proficiency in core laboratory or analytical methods for infectious disease research (immunoassays, molecular biology, sequencing, or bioinformatics).
Excellent written and oral English; ability to work in multidisciplinary, multicultural teams.
Willingness to travel internationally.
Preferred
Experience with Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex or related pathogens.
BSL-3 experience.
Familiarity with veterinary diagnostic or vaccine regulatory frameworks (WOAH, USDA-APHIS, CDSCO, or equivalents).
Field research experience in LMIC settings.
Quantitative skills in epidemiology, modeling, or bioinformatics.
About the Laboratory
The Kapur Laboratory at Penn State works on the genomics, pathogenesis, diagnostics, and control of mycobacterial and other zoonotic diseases, with a long-standing focus on low- and middle-income country settings. The lab leads an international consortium with partners across India, Ethiopia, the UK, Canada, and the US, and its work has been published in Science, The Lancet Microbe, The Lancet Infectious Diseases, and other leading journals.
The Huck Institutes of the Life Sciences provide interdisciplinary research infrastructure across genomics, proteomics, imaging, and bioinformatics.
How to Apply
Please submit a Cover letter and CV in a single PDF
Cover letter (maximum 2 pages) describing your research background and interest in the program.
CV with full publication list.
Names and contact information for three professional references.
Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled.
BACKGROUND CHECKS/CLEARANCES
Employment with the University will require successful completion of background check(s) in accordance with University policies.
BENEFITS
Penn State provides a competitive benefits package for full-time employees designed to support both personal and professional well-being.
For more detailed information, please visit our Benefits Page. (Note: For Postdoctoral benefits, please see our Postdoctoral Benefits page.)
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