Postdoctoral Scholar Research

The University of South Florida (USF) is seeking a highly motivated Postdoctoral Research Scholar to join the laboratory of Dr. Juan David Ramirez at the College of Public Health. The successful candidate will participate in multidisciplinary projects focused on the molecular and genomic characterization of Trypanosoma cruzi and Leishmania spp., with particular emphasis on the development of next-generation sequencing (NGS)-based diagnostic and surveillance tools.
This position offers an exciting opportunity to work at the interface of parasitology, molecular biology, and bioinformatics, utilizing cutting-edge sequencing technologies including Illumina, PacBio, and Oxford Nanopore. Candidates with a strong background in parasite culture, cell biology, bioinformatics, and molecular techniques are especially encouraged to apply.
The postdoctoral scholar will be responsible for culturing and maintaining T. cruzi and/or Leishmania strains and performing in vitro infection assays using mammalian and/or insect cell lines. The role will also involve conducting molecular biology experiments such as DNA/RNA extraction, PCR, qPCR, LAMP, and CRISPR-Cas9-based gene editing. In addition, the fellow will develop and optimize NGS-based approaches using Illumina, Oxford Nanopore, and PacBio platforms, including Amplicon-Based Sequencing and Capture Enrichment Sequencing for trypanosomatids. The fellow will also apply and analyze RNA-seq data for transcriptomic studies and utilize phylogenetics and phylogenomics methods to investigate evolutionary relationships and population dynamics of these parasites. Bioinformatics analyses will include genome assembly, variant analysis, transcriptomic data interpretation, and data visualization.
They will collaborate with internal and external research partners, contribute to manuscript preparation and grant writing, and help foster a dynamic and productive laboratory environment by mentoring junior lab members. In addition to conducting research, the fellow will prepare scientific manuscripts for publication, present findings at national and international conferences, and contribute to the development of grant proposals and project reports. The position provides the opportunity to engage with a wide network of collaborators, including entomologists, epidemiologists, clinicians, and public health professionals. The fellow will also have opportunities to mentor graduate and undergraduate students and to pursue independent research questions aligned with the overall objectives of the lab. This position is ideal for a highly motivated individual seeking to build expertise at the intersection of molecular parasitology and public health in the context of neglected diseases in the United States.

The Postdoctoral Research Scholar will lead and contribute to multidisciplinary research projects focused on the molecular and genomic characterization of Trypanosoma cruzi and Leishmania spp., emphasizing the development and application of next-generation sequencing (NGS) tools for parasite detection, genotyping, and surveillance. Responsibilities include designing and performing laboratory experiments involving parasite culture, host-cell infection assays, molecular diagnostics (e.g., PCR, qPCR, LAMP), and CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing. The scholar will develop and optimize NGS approaches such as amplicon-based sequencing, capture enrichment, and RNA-seq, and perform comprehensive bioinformatics analyses including genome assembly, variant calling, transcriptomic profiling, and phylogenetic/phylogenomic studies. Additionally, the scholar will prepare manuscripts, present research findings at conferences, contribute to grant proposals and project reports, collaborate with multidisciplinary teams, and mentor graduate and undergraduate students. Independent initiative, scientific rigor, and effective communication are essential to success in this role.

The Postdoctoral Research Scholar will design, conduct, and troubleshoot laboratory experiments involving the culture and maintenance of Trypanosoma cruzi and/or Leishmania spp., including in vitro infection assays with mammalian and insect cell lines. They will perform molecular biology techniques such as DNA/RNA extraction, PCR, qPCR, LAMP, and contribute to CRISPR-Cas9-based genetic manipulation projects. The scholar will develop and optimize next-generation sequencing workflows, including amplicon-based sequencing, capture enrichment, and RNA-seq, and analyze resulting data using bioinformatics pipelines for genome assembly, variant detection, transcriptomic profiling, and phylogenetic/phylogenomic analyses. The position requires maintaining meticulous experimental records, collaborating effectively within a multidisciplinary research team, and contributing to manuscript preparation, grant writing, and presentation of research findings. Additionally, the scholar will mentor junior lab members, participate in lab meeting