Postdoctoral Researcher - Lyme Disease Bacteriophage Biology

Location: Onsite laboratory, animal, and arthropod research work

Company

hirify.global’s Department of Microbiology & Cell Biology conducts microbiology, bacteriophage, vector biology, and host-pathogen research through the Secor Laboratory.

What you will do

• Design and conduct independent and collaborative studies of phiBB-1 and cp32 prophage biology.
• Investigate phage replication, lysis-lysogeny regulation, transduction, and horizontal gene transfer.
• Study how phage activity and genetic exchange affect Borrelia burgdorferi across tick and mammalian host environments.
• Apply or develop methods in bacterial and phage genetics, molecular biology, vector biology, animal infection, microscopy, genomics, transcriptomics, biochemistry, or computational analysis.
• Analyze data, maintain reproducible records, present findings, and contribute to publications and funding applications.
• Collaborate across disciplines and contribute to mentoring and a safe, constructive research environment.

Requirements

• PhD or equivalent doctoral degree in microbiology, bacteriology, molecular biology, genetics or genomics, vector biology or entomology, infectious disease, immunology, biochemistry, bioinformatics, computational biology, or a closely related field, completed by the start date.
• Research experience in at least one relevant area, including bacterial or phage genetics, molecular biology, biochemistry, arthropod vector biology, animal infection models, microscopy, genomics, transcriptomics, or quantitative and computational biology.
• Evidence of research productivity through a peer-reviewed publication, preprint, or substantive dissertation research.
• Experience analyzing research data and documenting experimental or computational methods and results.
• Completion of applicable biosafety, animal-use, and arthropod-containment training is required.
• The position is not eligible for new sponsorship.

Nice to have

• Experience with bacteriophages, prophages, transduction, horizontal gene transfer, Borrelia or other spirochetes, ticks, mouse infection models, bacterial genetic manipulation, microscopy, genome sequencing, RNA-seq, or bioinformatics.
• Experience developing, optimizing, or troubleshooting complex experimental or computational workflows.
• Experience in collaborative or multidisciplinary research settings.
• Experience mentoring or training students or research staff.

Culture & Benefits

• Full-time, benefits-eligible research appointment.
• NIH/NIAID-funded research focused on bacteriophage-mediated genetic exchange and microbial evolution.
• Collaborative and multidisciplinary research environment.
• Work may include laboratory bench and computer work, animal or arthropod research spaces, and occasional evening or weekend experiments.

Hiring process

• Submit a resume and cover letter.
• Application screening begins September 15, 2026, and continues until an adequate applicant pool is established.