"Postdoctoral Research Associate I"

Position Highlights

The Maldonado lab at the University of Arizona, Entomology Department, is currently recruiting a post-doctoral researcher in Medical Entomology to conduct tick research.

The postdoctoral researcher will work on a project to evaluate the potential for several tick species to carry and transmit alpha-gal syndrome (red meat allergy). This project has a multidisciplinary approach, integrating approaches with cutting-edge molecular techniques, such as western blot, ELISA, transcriptomics, digital qPCR, and glycoproteomics.

The postdoctoral candidate is expected to assist in another project aimed to test several bacterial strains for tick toxicity and assesses the effects on tick survival. Bacterial colonization of the tick midgut and the study of midgut epithelial immunity will be evaluated using several spore-forming bacterial strains.

Outstanding UA benefits include health, dental, vision, and life insurance; paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays; UA/ASU/NAU tuition reduction for the employee and qualified family members; access to UA recreation and cultural activities; and more!

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Duties & Responsibilities

The postdoctoral researcher will be expected to:

• Plan and lead experiments of tick alpha-gal and tick toxicity to several bacterial trains.
• Acquire and analyze data using various software (R-statistics, GraphPad, Excel, ImageJ, Image Lab).
• Supervise and mentor undergraduate students.
• Prepare and submit peer-reviewed journal articles.
• Present results at scientific meetings.
• Assist in lab management, ordering items and assisting in the installation of new equipment.
• Assist in the development and recording of new protocols
• Assist in the tick artificial feeding system and tick dissections, and sample collection.
• Assist with field tick collection

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

• Must have excellent communication and critical thinking skills and a proven record of publications.
• Must have proven scientific writing skills in any of the following areas; entomology, biomedical sciences, molecular biology, genetics, or microbiology.

Minimum Qualifications

• PhD in entomology, microbiology, genetics, physiology, biochemistry, or related field

FLSA: Exempt

Full Time/Part Time: Full Time

Number of Hours Worked per Week: 40

Job FTE: 1.0

Work Calendar: Fiscal

Job Category: Research

Benefits Eligible: Yes - Full Benefits

Rate of Pay: NIH Salary Guidelines, Depends on Experience

Compensation Type: salary at 1.0 full-time equivalency (FTE)

Type of criminal background check required: Name-based criminal background check (non-security sensitive)

Number of Vacancies: 1

Expected End Date: 10/2/2026

Contact Information for Candidates

Paulina Maldonado

lpmaldonado@arizona.edu

Open Until Filled: Yes

Documents Needed to Apply: Curriculum Vitae (CV)