Staff Scientist

Department

BSD MIC - Mimee Lab

About the Department

The Department of Microbiology in the Biological Sciences Division advances our understanding of microorganisms and their roles in health, disease, and the environment. Faculty and trainees investigate fundamental and translational questions spanning bacterial, viral, fungal, and parasitic biology; microbial pathogenesis; host–microbe interactions; microbiome science; antimicrobial resistance; and microbial genomics.

Our work integrates molecular, cellular, and system-level approaches to uncover mechanisms that shape infectious and chronic diseases and to drive innovation in diagnostics, therapeutics, and public health.

Job Summary

The Staff Scientist will lead research on engineering microorganisms for therapeutic use, with a focus on microbial platforms that deliver therapeutic molecules, including for cancer immunotherapy. Responsibilities include developing genetic engineering tools, designing and evaluating engineered strains, studying their interactions with mammalian hosts, and conducting molecular biology, microbiology, and preclinical experiments to assess function, efficacy, and mechanisms of action.

The ideal candidate is an independent, innovative researcher who can develop new experimental approaches, analyze complex datasets, collaborate across disciplines, and contribute to publications and grant proposals.

This at-will position is wholly or partially funded by contractual grant funding which is renewed under provisions set by the grantor of the contract. Employment will be contingent upon the continued receipt of these grant funds and satisfactory job performance.

Responsibilities

• Designs, develops, and optimizes genetic engineering tools and experimental assays for anaerobic microorganisms, including Bifidobacterium species.
• Engineers microbial strains for controlled gene expression, therapeutic protein production and secretion, and targeted delivery of biological therapeutics.
• Designs and conducts molecular biology, microbiology, and cell-based experiments to characterize engineered microbial functions and host–microbe interactions.
• Develops and executes preclinical studies using animal models to evaluate microbial colonization, therapeutic efficacy, and host responses.
• Develops and tests scientific hypotheses, analyzes experimental data, and interprets findings to guide ongoing research.
• Collaborates with interdisciplinary research teams to develop and evaluate novel microbial therapeutics.
• Serves as a resource for collecting data and performing analysis. Contributes to facilitating and promoting a research project by providing scientific or intellectual information.
• Reviews laboratory protocols and training on new techniques. Manage complex data sets for research.
• Leads the contributions to scientific writing and publications, including protocols and grants.
• Trains new laboratory personnel.
• Performs other related work as needed.

Minimum Qualifications

• Education: Minimum requirements include a PhD in related field.
• Work Experience: Minimum requirements include knowledge and skills developed through 2-5 years of work experience in a related job discipline.
• Certifications: ---

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience: Postdoctoral researcher training.
• Prior experience writing and preparing manuscripts.
• Strong knowledge of microbiology, molecular biology, synthetic biology, and microbial genetic engineering.
• Experience with anaerobic microbial cultivation, genetic manipulation, and characterization of engineered microorganisms.
• Experience with recombinant protein expression, protein secretion, and molecular and biochemical assays.
• Knowledge of mammalian cell culture, host–microbe interactions, and preclinical animal models, including tumor models.
• Strong skills in experimental design, troubleshooting, quantitative data analysis, and scientific interpretation.
• Preferred Competencies
• The ability to independently plan, organize, and carry out complex research projects.
• A talent for communicating scientific findings clearly through publications, presentations, and written reports.
• Ability to collaborate with multidisciplinary research teams and train laboratory personnel.
• Working Conditions
• Wet lab environment.
• Application Documents
• Resume (required)
• Cover Letter (preferred)
• The University of Chicago uses AI-assisted tools to streamline and augment some recruitment processes; however, AI is not used to make hiring decisions.
• When applying, the document(s) MUST  be uploaded via the My Experience page, in the section titled Application Documents of the application.
• Job Family
• Research
• Role Impact
• Individual Contributor
• Scheduled Weekly Hours
• 40
• Drug Test Required
• No
• Health Screen Required
• Yes
• Motor Vehicle Record Inquiry Required
• No
• Pay Rate Type