The David Lab at D uke University (www.ladlab.org) is recruiting a postdoctoral fellow to join ateam of scientists developing and using n ew DNA sequencing tools to studyhuman diet. We are particularly interest ed in creating new ways tomeasure and analyze food intake through the an alysis of human waste streams,which could include fecal matter or wastew ater. We are developing DNAsequencing-based techniques that allow us to track the dietary plant and animalspecies that people consume. Our techn iques allow us to generate objectivedata on intakes of over 450 plant an d animal species that individuals eatand is robust to differences in mem ory/recall;the output data arealso standardized across languages and cu ltures using the universallanguage of DNA. We are applying these tools t o biospecimens frompopulations across North Carolina and the world. Data resulting from thesestudies will allow us to compare our biomarker of d iet to traditional surveysof dietary intake, as well as perform systems biological studies of humanfood intake. The results of our studies will also allow us to create newmodels of disease risk and examine geographic , cultural, behavioral, andsocioeconomic determinants of diet. These pro jects are funded by an awardfrom the National Science Foundation for an  Engineering Research Centerfor Precision Microbiome Engineering (PreMiEr ). 

Beyond the expected research, there willbe opportunities forindividualized sup port from the PI (Dr. David) including regular 1-on-1mentoring and guida nce in manuscript and grant writing. Such support andguidance will be ta rgeted at helping the successful applicant achieve theirchosen goals in their future research career. There are also opportunities forthe postdo ctoral fellow to practice mentoring of graduate students if desired,as w ell as to develop independent projects that can be taken to futureindepe ndent research positions.

Wo rk Performed

Depending on applicant interest and background, potential projectsmay involve:

* Investigation of dietary patterns as revealed by genom icsthrough analysis of human fecal matter, latrines or wastewater.

* Beyond these projects, there will also be o pportunity forregular interaction with other scientists at Duke through the DavidLab’s affiliations with the Duke’s Microbiome Center (Co-Direct ed by Prof.Lawrence David) and Departments of Molecular Genetics & M icrobiologyand Biomedical Engineering. The David Lab also collaborates w ith Joe Brown’slaboratory at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hi ll and therewould be opportunities for interaction with the Brown resear ch group. 

Quali fications

We are interested in appli cants who may have a background inmolecular biology and experimental tec hniques related togenomics, metabolomics, or the microbiome. We are also interested inapplicants whose backgrounds could include civil andenviro nmental engineering, wastewater treatment, and/or sanitationengineering. Expertise in mathematical, computational, or statistical analysesof 'om ics, epidemiological, or other projects related to data science andmachi ne learning may additional be relevant. We are broadly interested ininte r-disciplinary thinkers and expertise across all of these areas is notex pected or required.   

DEFINITION: The Postdoctoral Appointee holds aPhD or equivalent doctora te (e.g. ScD, MD, DVM). Candidates with non-US degreesmay be required to provide proof of degree equivalency.1. A candidate may alsobe appointed to a postdoctoral position ifthe candidate has completed all ofthe req uirements for a degree but the degree has not been formally conferred: i nthis case, the candidate may present evidence of completion of the degr ee requirements,together with a statement documenting the date on which the degree is to beconferred. If the degree is not conferred by this pro jected date, the postdoctoralappointment may be terminated.2. Note for i nternational candidates: Generally,immigration classifications (e.g., H- 1B, J-1, etc.) require that the requisitedegree be conferred before a pe tition can be filed or a visa document issued tosponsor the individual. The term of the appointment is limited (see Section 5of the Postdoc Poli cy for length of appointment). The appointment involvessubstantially ful l-time research or scholarship, and may include teachingresponsibilities . The appointment is generally preparatory for a full timeacademic or re search career. The appointment is not part of a clinical trainingprogram , unless research training under the supervision of a senior mentor isth e primary purpose of the appointment. The Postdoctoral Appointee functio nsunder the supervision of a mentor or a department at Duke University. ThePostdoctoral Appointee is expected to publish the results of his or h erresearch or scholarship during the period of the appointment. EXPECTAT ION: Theconscientious discharge of research or scholarship responsibilit ies, which mayinclude teaching responsibilities for Postdoctoral Associa tes Conformance tostandards of responsible conduct in research Complianc e with good scholarly andresearch practice Maintenance of a laboratory n otebook and/or other comparablerecords of research activity, which remai ns the property of Duke Universityupon termination Adherence to Universi tystandards regarding use of isotopes,chemicals, infectious agents, ani mals, human subjects, and the like Open andtimely discussion with the me ntor regarding all facets of the PostdoctoralAppointee’s research activi ties. Postdoctoral Appointees are encouraged toconsult the AAMC Compact Between Postdoctoral Appointees and Their Mentors forsuggested guideline s for the Postdoctoral Appointee-mentor relationship Promptdisclosure to the mentor regarding the possession and desire to distributematerials, reagents, software, copyrightable and potentially patentablediscoveries derived from the Postdoctoral Appointee's research. Collegialconduct tow ards members of the research group and others as described in theDuke Un iversity School of Medicine Honor Code of Professional Conduct and other relevant conduct policies pertaining to other schools at Duke University .Compliance with all applicable University and departmental policies and procedures.

See job description for education requirements.

See job description for requirements.

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