Postdoctoral Research Associate

Requisition Details

GENERAL REQUISITION INFORMATION

EEO Statement:

UNMC is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer, including an equal opportunity employer of protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.

Location Omaha, NE Requisition Number: 2026 - 367 Department Pathology, Microbiology & Immunology 50000521 Business Unit(College/Institute) College of Medicine FTE:

100

Reg-Temp Full-Time Regular Work Schedule Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM Requisition Category Research - Academic Requisition Title Postdoctoral Research Associate Job Title/Academic Rank Postdoctoral Research Associate Additional Requisition Title Appointment Type A1 - REG OTHER ACAD SAL Salary Range Salary Commensurate with Experience Job/EEO Category Professional Non-Faculty (Includes Other Academic) Job Requisition Begin Date 09/18/2026

Position Qualification

Position Summary

An NIH-funded Postdoctoral Research Associate position is available to study bacterial subversion of host lipid metabolism in the laboratory of Dr. Stacey Gilk in the Department of Pathology, Microbiology, and Immunology at the University of Nebraska Medical Center. The successful candidate will join an interdisciplinary research program investigating how the intracellular bacterial pathogen Coxiella burnetii, the causative agent of Q fever, reprograms host lipid metabolism to support infection and replication. Current projects focus on understanding how Coxiella manipulates lipid droplets and endoplasmic reticulum-lipid droplet (ER-LD) membrane contact sites through bacterial effector proteins, and how host lipid trafficking pathways contribute to pathogen survival. The postdoctoral fellow will employ a combination of cell biology, microbiology, molecular genetics, imaging, biochemistry, lipidomics, and metabolic approaches to characterize host-pathogen interactions and define mechanisms of lipid flux during intracellular infection.

Ideal candidates will have a PhD in microbiology, cell biology, molecular biology, biochemistry, genetics, immunology, or a related field. Experience in one or more of the following areas is desirable: host-pathogen interactions, microscopy, intracellular bacteria, lipid metabolism, membrane trafficking, organelle biology, or metabolomics/lipidomics. The successful candidate will be a highly motivated, independent, rigorous, and hypothesis-driven scientist who will be expected to participate in training of graduate students, lab meetings, and other duties appropriate to the applicant's career goals.

Applications should be submitted to https://unmc.peopleadmin.com/postings/100327 and include:

• A cover letter describing research experience, accomplishments, and future research interests and how they align with the position (maximum 2 pages)
• Curriculum vitae, including a complete list of publications
• Names and contact information for three references

Required Qualifications

• PhD in microbiology or parasitology, cell biology, genetics, or other related field.
• Experience in related scientific field of study

Supplemental Qualifications

• 2-3 years of research experience in host-pathogen interactions, cell biology, lipid metabolism, membrane trafficking, organelle biology, or related fields.
• Experience with one or more of the following techniques: mammalian cell culture, bacterial culture and growth assays, fluorescence and confocal microscopy, molecular cloning, genetic manipulation of mammalian cells and bacteria, quantitative gene expression analysis (qPCR/RNA-based approaches), protein analysis, lipidomics/metabolomics, flow cytometry, or biochemical assays.
• Demonstrated ability to design and execute hypothesis-driven research, analyze complex datasets, and communicate findings effectively through publications and presentations.

Working Environment & Physical Requirements

WORKING ENVIRONMENT

The information provided below best describes the Environment in which the primary function of the position is performed.

Check the appropriate box(es) that best describes the Environment in which the primary function of the position is performed. Office environment, Lab environment, Animal facility Other working environment

NA

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENT

Bending, stooping, twisting Occasionally Crawling Not Applicable Driving Not Applicable Kneeling Occasionally Reaching Occasionally Sitting 2-5 hours Standing 2-5 hours Squatting Occasionally Walking Up to 2 hours

EXPOSURES

Atmospheric Yes Blood/body fluids Yes Chemical hazards Yes Working on or around moving machinery No Electrical current No Noise No Changes of temperature/humidity No Wear PPE Yes Work with laboratory animals No Radiation Operating hand/power tools No If you answered yes to any area above, please explain

Lab coat, gloves and mask

Hand/Wrists

Fine Manipulation Both Repetitive Motion Both Grasping Both If you selected any area above, please explain

Laboratory techniques require the use of both sets of hands and wrists

Addtional

Describe any other aspects and demands of the job not listed in this description.

Ability to visualize test results.

Applicant Documents

Required Documents

• Cover Letter
• C.V.

Optional Documents

• Other Doc

Requisition Specific Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

• • Do you have, or will you possess in the near future, a Doctoral degree in the area(s) identified in this posting?

• Yes

• No

• • If you have not yet graduated, can you provide an enrollment verification or enrollment certificate with expected graduation date from your university or institution? This can be uploaded as "other document"

• Yes

• No

• • If you do not yet have the degree required for this position, what is your expected graduation date?

(Open Ended Question)

• • How many published articles do you have?

(Open Ended Question)

• • Of these published articles, how many are you first-author

(Open Ended Question)

• • Please enter the name of your doctoral degree-granting institution.

(Open Ended Question)

• • How many years of postgraduate research experience do you have as of the date you are submitting this application?

(Open Ended Question)

• • Please select one of the following:

• I am a U.S. citizen

• I am a non-citizen national of the U.S.

• I am a permanent resident (green card holder)

• Will you now or in the future require sponsorship for employment visa status

• • How did you hear about this position?

• Careerlink

• Employee Referral

• HERC

• Indeed

• Job Fair

• Lincoln Journal Star

• Linkedin

• Omaha World Herald

• UNMC Job Site

• Facebook

• NEWorks

• Handshake

• Other

• • If Other, please specify the source. Otherwise, indicate NA.

(Open Ended Question)