Post-Doc Research Associate - Tamayo Lab

Department Microbiology and Immunology - 422501

Application Deadline Open Until Filled: Yes

Position Type Postdoctoral Scholar

Position Title Post-Doc Research Associate - Tamayo Lab

Vacancy ID PDS004893

Full-time/Part-time Full-Time Temporary

Hours per week 40

FTE 1

Proposed Start Date 07/01/2026

Estimated Duration of Appointment 12 Months

Position Information Be a Tar Heel! A global higher education leader in innovative teaching, research and public service, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill consistently ranks as one of the nation’s top public universities and is among the top ten research universities in the nation for federal research expenditures as well as for federally funded social and behavioral sciences research and development.

Here at Carolina, our highly skilled postdocs play a vital role in our research enterprise and towards our overall commitment to research excellence. Across many disciplines, postdocs contribute to the intellectual vitality of the University. They provide innovative ideas and perspectives, foster a stimulating research environment and advance knowledge within their fields. Postdocs are crucial members of our scientific research workforce, contributors to our research outputs and an important reason why Carolina is one of the leading public research institutions in the country.

UNC-Chapel Hill offers postdocs comprehensive medical and vision coverage, paid leave, and benefits and services that support professional development and a healthy work/life balance. Chapel Hill regularly ranks as one of the best college towns and best places to live in the United States, a reputation guided by the diverse social, cultural, recreation and professional opportunities that span the campus and community.

Primary Purpose of Organizational Unit Our mission is to improve the health and well-being of North Carolinians and others whom we serve. We accomplish this by providing leadership and excellence in the interrelated areas of patient care, education and research.
Patient care: We promote health and provide superb clinical care while maintaining our strong tradition of reaching underserved populations and reducing health disparities across North Carolina and beyond.
Education: We prepare tomorrow's healthcare professionals and biomedical researchers from all backgrounds by facilitating learning within innovative and integrated curricula and team-oriented interprofessional education to ensure a highly skilled workforce.
Research: We develop and support a rich array of outstanding health sciences research programs, centers and resources. We provide infrastructure and opportunities for collaboration among disciplines throughout and beyond our university to support outstanding research. We foster programs in the areas of basic, translational, mechanistic and population research.

Position Summary The Tamayo Lab seeks a highly motivated Postdoctoral Research Associate to conduct research as part of an NIH-funded project. The postdoctoral researcher will investigate mechanisms of pathogenesis of the bacterium Clostridioides difficile, an obligate anaerobe and biosafety level 2 pathogen. This work involves genetic manipulation of bacterial genes for analysis of function and regulation, genetic screens, biochemical analysis of macromolecular interactions (e.g., DNA-protein and RNA-protein interactions), and a variety of microbiological assays to assess bacterial phenotypes (motility, biofilm formation, microscopy, other). The research requires work with tissue culture and murine models of disease.
The Postdoctoral Research Associate will conduct literature searches, design and perform experiments, optimize protocols, document procedures and results, collate and analyze data, and communicate results and conclusions in written and oral formats. They will have the opportunity to train and mentor other lab members in these activities and to participate in career development activities.

Minimum Education and Experience Requirements PhD in Microbiology, Immunology, Molecular Biology, or similar discipline

Required Qualifications, Competencies, and Experience

• Extensive hands-on experience in wet lab bacterial genetics and molecular biology techniques including PCR, qPCR, cloning, protein purification, western blotting, and cell culture
• Experience with murine models of bacterial infection
• Proficiency in experimental design and documentation, data analysis and visualization, and troubleshooting
• Experience mentoring junior lab members in experimental techniques
• Strong communication skills for preparing manuscripts, presenting at conferences, and mentoring junior lab members

Preferred Qualifications, Competencies, and Experience Microbiology experience

Special Physical/Mental Requirements