Areas of work for this position include diseases that are of chronic nature and difficult to diagnose, such as Tuberculosis (TB), Bovine Tuberculosis and JD, anti-TB drug development and biodefense focuses on D-alanine racemase and D-alanine ligase, the presumed lethal target of D-cycloserine, an analog of D-alanine. Dr. Barletta hopes his research will lead to vaccines, including applications to the control of SARS-CoV2, new drugs and research tools to provide more accurate and faster tests to identify these pathogens. The applicant will focus on the proposal listed above but will be expected to participate in additional projects.

Recognizing that diversity within a context of inclusivity enhances creativity, innovation, impact, and a sense of belonging, the Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources (IANR) and the School of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences are committed to creating learning, research, Extension programming, and work environments that are inclusive of all forms of human diversity. We actively encourage applications from and nominations of qualified individuals from underrepresented groups including racial and ethnic minorities, women, sexual minorities, persons living with disabilities, and veterans.

The primary duties and responsibilities of this position are to perform sophisticated and advanced molecular biology and microbiology techniques (e.g., DNA/RNA isolation, RT-PCR, plasmid isolation and construction, phage propagation, drug susceptibility, gene inactivation, enzyme purification/assays, transformations, transposon and allelic exchange mutagenesis, Southern, Northern and Western blots, genomic library construction, culturing mycobacteria and macrophage, bovine macrophage infection assays, immunological assays for humoral and cell mediated immunity, sample preparation for genomics/proteomics/metabolomics/transcriptomics analyses, molecular procedures extracted from scientific publications, etc.).

This individual will analyze data and prepare reports and manuscripts for scientific journals. In addition, the candidate is expected to contribute to the training of other graduate and undergraduate students, technical personnel, and support knowledge of other post-doctoral fellows in the laboratory.

In addition to the above-described duties, the individual will be expected to accept committee assignments, reporting responsibilities, and other special ad hoc assignments as requested at the administrative unit, college/division, institute, and/or university level.

As an EO/AA employer, qualified applicants are considered for employment without regard to race, color, ethnicity, national origin, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, disability, age, genetic information, veteran status, marital status, and/or political affiliation. See http://www.unl.edu/equity/notice-nondiscrimination.