University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, Arkansas
Department of Food Science (http://foodscience.uark.edu/)
Post-Doctoral Fellow in Gut Microbiome Studies
Food Science is a department in the Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences and Division of
Agriculture at the University of Arkansas that serves as a primary source of higher education, fundamental and applied
research and public service. The Department of Food Science fosters programs for achieving regional, national and
international excellence that contribute to the advancement of knowledge and technologies, professional development
and economic success of individuals and food and food related enterprises.
The Department of Food Science consists of 16 nationally recognized faculty and 12 adjunct faculty along with
outstanding support personnel who are dedicated to teaching, research and service in areas of food chemistry and
biochemistry, food microbiology and safety, food processing and engineering, sensory and consumer science and human
nutrition. The Food Science facilities including classrooms, laboratories and food processing pilot plant are modern and
well equipped for effective education and research.
Job Description: This position is a full-time, 12 month position with paid vacation and fringe benefits. The successful
candidate will conduct research projects in the areas of diet, gut microbiome and gut health. Specifically, molecular
microbiobiology methods including PCR and quantitative PCR, molecular fingerprinting (DGGE) and next generation
sequencing (16S amplicons, metagenomics and genomics) will be the main activities. In addition the successful
candidate will be in charge of the routine maintenance of the Illumina MiSeq sequencer. Data analysis including
bioinformatics and dissemination of results through journal articles and conferences communication will also be major
duties. Guidance and help to undergraduate, graduate students and/or staff in the lab will also be required.
Minimum qualifications: PhD in microbial ecology/microbiome, food microbiology or molecular microbiology.
Preferred qualifications: Experience with molecular methods such as: 1)PCR and quantitative PCR, 2) Sequencing and
high throughput sequencing, 3) Bioinformatics pipelines (16S sequencing and/or metagenomics and 4) anaerobic
cultivation will be considered a plus.
Responsibilities include but are not limited to the following:
25%Conduct microbiome and metagenomic analyses
20% Conduct other microbiology analyses (fingerprinting, PCR, qPCR, Cultivation)
20% Analyze data (bioinformatics, statistics)
20%Produce scientific achievements (articles, presentations at conferences….)
15% Manage laboratory facility and safety, with emphasis in maintaining the sequencer after and before runs
Application procedure: Qualified applicants are asked to upload an application letter, vita, transcripts, and contact
information (including email addresses) for three professional references by October 22nd, 2013, position #0602370 at
https://jobs.uark.edu/applicants/jsp/shared/position/JobDetails_css.jsp?postingId=159737
The position will be begin on November 1, 2013 , or soon thereafter.
Recruitment Contact Information: Dr. Franck Carbonero, Assistant Professor, c/o Dianne Saffire, Department of Food
Science, 2650 N. Young Avenue, Fayetteville, AR, 72704 fgcarbon@uark.edu, (479)575-6822 or Saffire@uark.edu,
(479)575-4455.
The University of Arkansas is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer. All applicants are subject to public disclosure under the Arkansas
Freedom of Information Act and persons hired must have proof of legal authority to work in the United States.