Visiting Research Specialist - Carl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology

Visiting Research Specialist - Carl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology

Carl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology

Job Summary

The Visiting Research Specialists will assist postdocs and PIs with a project aimed at discovering bacterial viruses (phages) and quantifying their interactions with their hosts, with a focus on oral pathogens. This will be accomplished using molecular, genetic, and microbiology approaches.

Duties & Responsibilities

• Scientific Research and phage/strain curation
  
  • Assisting Postdocs with isolating and characterizing oral pathogens, including Streptococcus, Porphyromonas, and/or Fusobacteria species.
  • Assisting Postdocs with discovering, propagating, and sequencing phages that infect targeted bacterial species.
  • Stocking and curating strains and phage collection.
  • Assisting Postdocs with developing and performing high-throughput assays to characterize phage-host interactions.
  • Becoming familiar with the knowledge of the field, as well as with the current developments, including new methodologies that become available.
  • Generating specific protocols to carry out the approaches, setting up experimental systems.
  • Collecting data, performing statistical analysis, summarizing data in tables and graphs.
• Interpreting and Conceptualizing Results, Disseminating and Incorporating Results
  
  • Writing weekly priorities for the project and monthly reports on the progress.
  • Presenting reports on the project at group meetings
  • Writing methods and results of the research for scientific papers.
• Training Others
  
  • Training other members of the team in the protocols and practices developed in this project.
  • Supervising undergraduate students: Train, set goals, assign/review work, evaluate performance, address work issues.
• General Lab Maintenance
  
  • Assisting in the setup, operation and maintenance of lab equipment.
  • Maintaining and supervising others in lab organization.
  • Contributing to general lab housekeeping tasks
  • May be responsible for ordering supplies.

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in microbiology, biology, biochemistry, biotechnology or a closely related STEM field. At least one year of research experience in the area of microbiology.

Preferred Qualifications

Master's degree or additional technical training in microbiology, biology, biochemistry, biotechnology, or a closely related STEM field.
o Experience working with Streptococcus, Porphyromonas, and/or Fusobacterium species.
o Experience working with phages
o Experience working with anaerobic bacteria

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Exceptional communication, organizational, and interpersonal skills
• Strong computing skills in Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint
• Ability to assume responsibility and to work independently with minimal guidance
• Ability to work collaboratively with people from many different backgrounds
• Commitment to equity and inclusion
• Willingness and ability to explain and clarify complex concepts in molecular microbiology
• Willingness and ability to train undergraduate students in experimental techniques
• Demonstrate leadership skills

Appointment Information

This is a 100% full-time Academic Professional position, appointed on a 12-month basis. The expected start date is as soon as possible after 12/1/2025. The budgeted salary range is $45,000 to 55,000. Final salary offered will be determined by a thorough assessment of available market data, internal salary equity, candidate experience and qualifications, collective bargaining agreements, and budget constraints.

Application Procedures & Deadline Information

Applications must be received by 6:00 pm (Central Time) on November 19, 2025. Apply for this position using the Apply Now button at the top or bottom of this posting. Applications not submitted through https://jobs.illinois.edu will not be considered. For further information about this specific position, please contact Jana Lenz at janalenz@illinois.edu. For questions regarding the application process, please contact 217-333-2137.

The University of Illinois offers a very competitive benefits portfolio, depending on the position. Click for a complete list of Employee Benefits.

The University of Illinois System is an equal opportunity employer, including but not limited to disability and/or veteran status, and complies with all applicable state and federal employment mandates. Please visit Required Employment Notices and Posters to view our non-discrimination statement and find additional information about required background checks, sexual harassment/misconduct disclosures, and employment eligibility review through E-Verify.

Applicants with disabilities are encouraged to apply and may request a reasonable accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (2008) to complete the application and/or interview process. Accommodations may also be requested on the basis of pregnancy, childbirth, and related conditions, or religion. Requests may be submitted through the reasonable accommodations portal, or by contacting the Accessibility & Accommodations Division of the Office for Access and Equity at 217-333-0885, or by emailing accessibility@illinois.edu.

Requisition ID: 1033171
Job Category: Research
Apply at: https://jobs.illinois.edu