Professional Aide

This is a temporary or an on-call position. Provides professional support. Responsibilities may include general business, science, medical, agricultural or other professional support functions. Term: Temps can work two (2) nine (9) month terms with a week break in service in between and at the end of the second term terminate for three (3) months or switch to an on-call. On-Call allowed to work 1039 hours in any twelve (12) month period.

The Ducat lab at Michigan State University has a temporary postdoc position available for conducting primary research related to a National Science Foundation (NSF)-funded project related to the investigation of carboxysome dynamics and biogenesis in a model cyanobacterium (Synechococcus elongatus PCC 7942). Core themes of the research relate to determining the influence of environmental changes on the integrity and/or dynamics of components of the cyanobacterial carboxysome. Project goals include the following areas of research: 1) light microscopy imaging of cyanobacterial cells, with an emphasis on tracking and quantifying carboxysome components over time; 2) use of dye-compatible protein labeling systems (e.g., SNAP and TurboID) to perform ‘pulse-chase’ experiments that will be informative on carboxysome biogenesis or maturation, and; 3) use of high resolution imaging via the electron microscopy and cryo-electron microscopy facilities at MSU. Additional relevant research areas include the capacity to perform routine molecular biology experiments as they pertain to the development of new genetic constructs and the transformation of Synechococcus elongatus PCC 7942.

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. This is a temporary position with an expected end date no later than November 1^st, 2026.

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.

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.

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.

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

For additional questions please contact Danny Ducat (ducatdan@msu.edu).

STANDARD 8-5

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

Advertised: May 29, 2026 Eastern Daylight Time
Applications close: Jun 1, 2026 Eastern Daylight Time

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