Position Description:
Do you want to be part of a vibrant, collaborative, and multidisciplinary research program that advances sustainable livestock production while providing outstanding opportunities for professional growth and development? If so, we invite you to join the Livestock Microbiome Research Laboratory in the Department of Animal Sciences at North Dakota State University as a full-time Research Specialist.
The overall goal of our research program is to understand and harness livestock microbiomes to improve animal health, productivity, reproduction, developmental programming, and environmental sustainability. Our research integrates microbiology, animal science, molecular biology, bioinformatics, and systems biology to address major challenges facing modern livestock agriculture.
Current research areas include maternal microbiome-mediated developmental programming, whole-body cattle microbiome ecology, reproductive microbiomes, feed efficiency, methane mitigation, and microbiome-based strategies to improve livestock health and productivity. We are also developing microbiome-based alternatives to antibiotics, including probiotics, synthetic microbial communities, and bacteriophage-based approaches to mitigate infectious diseases in cattle. Our long-term vision is to integrate advanced microbial culturing, next-generation sequencing, bioinformatics, artificial intelligence, and machine learning to uncover previously inaccessible microbial ecosystems and develop innovative solutions for sustainable livestock production and One Health.
The successful candidate will conduct a broad range of laboratory, animal, and computational activities in livestock microbiome research. Responsibilities include microbial and host DNA/RNA extraction, conventional PCR, quantitative PCR (qPCR), digital PCR (dPCR), sequencing library preparation, microbiome sequencing and bioinformatics analyses, aerobic and anaerobic microbial culturing, tissue and cell culture, and participation in research trials involving cattle and other livestock species. This position also includes assisting with experimental logistics, biological sample collection and processing, laboratory management, inventory and record keeping, ordering supplies, data management, and training and assisting undergraduate students, graduate students, visiting scholars, and other laboratory personnel.
Our research program is highly collaborative and interdisciplinary, involving partnerships with scientists across animal science, microbiology, veterinary medicine, bioinformatics, industry, and government agencies. The successful candidate will be expected to contribute to and facilitate these collaborative research efforts while helping maintain a productive and inclusive research environment
Work Schedule:
The work schedule is for a full-time position and is expected to work from 8 AM – 5 PM from Monday to Friday. However, daily, and weekly schedules can be flexible depending upon specific laboratory or research projects at the time.
Minimum Qualifications:
Preferred Qualifications:
MSc. or Ph.D. degree in the fields of Microbiological Sciences, Animal Sciences, Bioinformatics, Biological Sciences, or a related field.
Experience conducting animal microbiology, microbiome, microbial ecology, or related biological research.
Experience with microbiome bioinformatics analyses, including 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing, shotgun metagenomic sequencing, or other multi-omics datasets.
Experience working in a laboratory and the desire and ability to assist with research laboratory management (e.g., ordering supplies, inventory management, and record keeping).
Experience with research trials involving large animals, collection and processing of biological samples, and in vitro experiments.
Familiarity with North American livestock production systems, particularly beef cattle production, management practices, and research environments.
Ability to work effectively and efficiently in a highly collaborative and interdisciplinary research environment.
Desire to learn new laboratory, computational, and analytical techniques; possess a flexible mindset; and contribute to scientific publications and research outputs.
Desire and ability to work effectively with undergraduate students, graduate students, visiting scholars, and other research personnel.
Applicant Materials Required:
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Resume
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Cover Letter
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List of 3 references.
Hiring Range:
$45,000-$50,000/depending on experience
Pay is based on several factors, including budget, labor market, prior experience, skills, knowledge, abilities, education, licensure and/or certification and other business considerations.
Our commitment to caring for our employees isn’t just words—it’s proven. In NDSU’s most recent Gallup Engagement Survey, our strengths centered on care and development. “My supervisor, or someone at work, cares about me as a person” and “I have the opportunities to learn and grow”, were noted as top drivers. This reflects the culture you’ll experience here.
Join a workplace that invests in your well-being, your future, and your success.
Full-time employees are eligible for the following benefits:
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100% employer-paid health insurance premiums for single and family coverage
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Choice of PPO/Basic or High Deductible Health Plan with HSA
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Coverage begins the first of the month after your hire date
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Wellness incentives for healthy lifestyle participation
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Employer retirement contributions ranging from 7.5% up to an impressive 12.26%, depending on position
(One of the strongest retirement packages in the region!) - Your future is a priority, and it shows.
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Generous annual leave, sick leave, and 10 paid holidays
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Employee Assistance Program for confidential support
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Supportive work-life balance
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Tuition waivers for employees (up to three classes per calendar year)
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50% tuition waiver for spouse/partner and dependents
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Supplemental Life, Dental, Vision, Long-Term Care
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Flexible Spending Accounts (Health & Dependent Care)
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Supplemental Retirement Plans
About Us:
North Dakota State University is distinctive as a student focused, land-grant, research university. We educate leaders who solve national and global challenges by providing affordable access to an excellent education that combines teaching and research in a rich learning environment.
NDSU is in the highest Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education, R1, granted to the top research institutions in the country.
NDSU has offices across the state of North Dakota, and the main campus is in Fargo, on the Minnesota border. Along with Moorhead, Minnesota, Fargo forms one of the largest metropolitan centers between Minneapolis and Seattle. The community is consistently ranked as one of the best places to live.
NDSU is committed to fostering a community where differences are recognized as strengths. Rooted in our land-grant mission, we work together to meet the needs of North Dakota and its communities through education, research and outreach.
Equal Opportunity Statement:
NDSU does not discriminate in its programs and activities on the basis of age, color, gender expression/identity, genetic information, marital status, national origin, participation in lawful off-campus activity, physical or mental disability, pregnancy, public assistance status, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, spousal relationship to current employee, or veteran status, as applicable. Direct inquiries to: Vice Provost, Title IX/ADA Coordinator, Old Main 201, NDSU Main Campus, Fargo, ND, 58108, 701-231-7708, [email protected].
No Smoking Notice:
As an employer, the State of North Dakota prohibits smoking in all places of state employment in accordance with N.D.C.C. § 23-12-10.
Veteran’s Preference Notice:
This position is subject to North Dakota Veteran’s Preference requirements.
Reasonable Accommodation Information:
North Dakota State University is committed to providing access and reasonable accommodation in its services, programs, activities, education, and employment for individuals with disabilities. To request disability accommodation in the application process, please contact Human Resources at 701-231-8961 or [email protected].
