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Position Summary

The Ducat lab at Michigan State University has a postdoc position available for conducting primary research related to a Human Frontiers Research Program-funded project on investigation and engineering of an association between a cyanobacteria and a paramecium host. This project involves an international collaborative research effort between MSU, University of Grenoble (France), and the Julich Research Center (Germany). The successful candidate will primarily conduct research at MSU related to the engineering of model cyanobacterium (Synechococcus elongatus PCC 7942) and the study of the uptake and retention of this bacterium into the host, Paramecium bursaria. Core themes of the research relate to understanding the molecular mechanisms behind how ‘free-living’ cells can be captured and converted into an endosymbiotic partner species. Project goals include the following areas of research: 1) monitoring the process of engulfment of the cyanobacterial “endosymbiont” into the Paramecium “host” via advanced imaging techniques and systems biology; 2) engineering cross-kingdom exchange of metabolites between the two partner species and; 3) evaluating the impact of cross-species exchange onto the fitness of the engineered endosymbiont-host pair. Additional relevant research areas include fundamental and rational engineering approaches targeting cyanobacterial central carbon metabolism and cyanobacterial signaling processes related to carbon fixation and sugar metabolism.

Ideal candidates are creative, independent, collaborative, and emphasize being a part of a positive working environment for the full team, which includes other researchers at multiple career stages.

The project will be performed in the MSU-DOE Plant Research Laboratory. Offers are expected to be made for an initial one-year appointment, with a target start date of November 1st, 2025 or later. Extension of the research appointment is anticipated and will be negotiated pending performance review and available funding.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, citizenship, age, disability or protected veteran status.

Required Degree

Doctorate -Biochemistry, Microbiology, Genetics, Plant Biology, Molecular Biology, Chemistry, Biophysics or related field

Minimum Requirements

Demonstrated experience in core molecular biology and biochemical approaches for physiological studies on microbes. Publications in peer-reviewed journals in accordance with the research stage and background of the applicant.

Desired Qualifications

Past experience with cultivating and engineering model cyanobacteria. Demonstrated research productivity involving relevant techniques, including: molecular cloning/genetic circuit design, transformation, isolation of genetic mutants/transformants, DNA/protein electrophoresis, microscopy, metabolite analysis such as GC-MS and/or LC-MS/MS, systems-level analyses (e.g., proteomics), protein engineering, metabolic modeling, and/or fluorescence-based analytics of photosynthetic processes.

Required Application Materials

Interested applicants should send a Curriculum Vitae with a 1-2 page description of scientific interests and the names of at least 2 referees.

Special Instructions

Review of applications will begin August 26th, 2025. Initial interview invitations will be sent in early September. Posting will remain open until the position is filled, although applications submitted by August 26th are guaranteed full review. For additional questions please contact Danny Ducat ([email protected]).

Review of Applications Begins On

08/13/2025

Website

https://prl.natsci.msu.edu/

MSU Statement

Michigan State University has been advancing the common good with uncommon will for more than 160 years. One of the top research universities in the world, MSU pushes the boundaries of discovery and forges enduring partnerships to solve the most pressing global challenges while providing life-changing opportunities to a diverse and inclusive academic community through more than 200 programs of study in 17 degree-granting colleges.