Location
Department of Entomology and Department of Horticulture
University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY
Contact
Nicholas Teets
Associate Professor
Email: n.teets@uky.edu
Phone: (859)-257-7459
Lab website: www.teetslab.com
Bruce Downie
Professor
Email: adownie@uky.edu
Phone: (859)-257-5237
Lab website: www.seedsleuths.com
Description: The Teets and Downie labs at University of Kentucky are seeking a postdoctoral associate to lead an NIH-funded project on Drosophila cryopreservation. The successful applicant will conduct research on novel strategies to load cryoprotective molecules into Drosophila embryos so that they can be stored at low temperature for prolonged periods. The postdoc will be part of a collaborative team at University of Kentucky and University of Louisville with expertise in insect cold tolerance, protein biochemistry, anhydrobiosis, and bioengineering. Specific duties will include designing and conducting experiments to optimize survival and normal development of previously frozen embryos, presenting results at conferences and in scientific articles, and mentoring undergraduate students. The successful candidate is expected to embrace the collaborative nature of this project and travel between both universities as needed (~75 minute drive) to perform duties.
Qualifications: Applicants should have a PhD in biology, entomology, molecular biology, or a related field. Experience working with Drosophila is preferred but not required. Applicants should have a demonstrated record of research productivity, as evidenced by peer-reviewed publications, conference presentations, and/or grant funding. Desired qualifications include the ability to work in a team, experience with mentoring undergraduate students, and strong oral and written communication skills.
Location: The Department of Entomology at University of Kentucky is consistently ranked in the top 10 nationally and features an excellent mix of basic and applied research. The department has a proven track record of job placement in a variety of sectors, including academia, industry, government science, and extension, to name a few. Lexington, KY is an affordable mid-sized city that is family friendly and ranks 10th in the US in the percentage of residents with a college degree. The University of Louisville is a premier metropolitan research university with state-of-the-art micro/nanotechnology and imaging centers and the Theranostic Ultrasound Laboratory.
Start Date and Compensation: The position is available to start immediately. The position includes a minimum salary of $47,500 plus benefits. Benefits for Postdoctoral Scholars are summarized here: https://www.uky.edu/postdoc/benefits.
Application Procedures: Interested applicants should submit a single PDF containing 1) a cover letter summarizing research interests, professional experience, and career goals, 2) a CV including a complete list of publications, and 3) names and contact information for professional references. Submit application materials directly to Dr. Nick Teets by email (n.teets@uky.edu). Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled.
