Postdoctoral Research Scholar- Theriot

The mission of the Department of Population Health and Pathobiology is to recruit, train, inspire, and graduate Doctors of Veterinary Medicine of exemplary knowledge, skill, and character. In order to maintain the intellectual and professional climate necessary to accomplish this mission, the department’s faculty will advance veterinary medical science through innovative basic and applied research, inspired mentoring of students (undergraduate, professional, residents, and graduate), excellence in clinical and diagnostic services, and innovative extension and engagement activities.

North Carolina State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine (CVM) is a dynamic community whose members are dedicated to preparing veterinarians and veterinarian scientists while advancing animal and human health from the cellular level through entire ecosystems. The College has gained international recognition on the strength of its teaching, research, engagement, and patient care efforts and is ranked 3rd among the nation’s 28 colleges of veterinary medicine in the current U.S. News & World Report survey.

Located on 180 acres near downtown Raleigh, the College encompasses 20 buildings on the main Centennial Biomedical Campus. Instruction is in three departments—Clinical Sciences, Molecular Biomedical Sciences, and Population Health & Pathobiology. In addition to the four-year Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree, there are programs leading to master and doctoral degrees in several areas with numerous opportunities for specialization.

A postdoctoral scientist position (1+ years) is available in Prof. Casey Theriot’s group at North Carolina State University College of Veterinary Medicine (NCSU CVM). The successful applicant will characterize bacteria for their ability to alter bile acids, and compete against C. difficile for the same nutrients. The scholar will also bioengineer bacteria to manipulate bile acid and amino acid metabolism in the gastrointestinal tract. The Theriot laboratory (https://theriotlab.org) studies how the gut microbiota is able to provide colonization resistance against enteric pathogens, specifically C. difficile. They seek to define the mechanisms that provide protection by looking at the dynamics between the gut microbiota, metabolome, and host using in vitro, ex vivo, and in vivo models. This will aid in the design of targeted therapeutics against C. difficile, but more importantly the design of precision probiotics to manipulate the gut microbiota. 

Requirements: Applicants are expected to have obtained a PhD in a field related to bioinformatics, microbiology, biochemistry, to have strong computational and communication skills, and to be interested in collaborative research. Applicants with a background in bacterial engineering, anaerobic bacterial physiology, and/or microbiology of infectious diseases are highly encouraged to apply. Experience in bioinformatics and characterizing bacteria for biotechnological applications and knowledge in gut microbiome analysis and other omics is desirable.

Research efforts will contribute toward publications, presentations and other funding opportunities. The selected individual will be expected to have effective communication skills, both with the PI and students within the laboratory, and will be expected to work well independently and within a team.