Postdoctoral Scholar

This is a term position; length of the term will be discussed during the interview process. Continuation past the term length discussed will be based on university need, performance, and/or availability of funding.

About the role

The Keystone Animal Diagnostic Center (KADC), part of the Pennsylvania Animal Diagnostic Laboratory System (PADLS) at The Pennsylvania State University, is seeking a Postdoctoral Scholar to join its team at the Beaver Campus in Monaca, Pennsylvania. KADC is a newly established veterinary diagnostic laboratory, dedicated to advancing animal health through the development and implementation of innovative diagnostic technologies, surveillance of infectious diseases, and applied diagnostics research supporting Pennsylvania's livestock and poultry industries. The KADC is pursuing American Association of Veterinary Laboratory Diagnosticians (AAVLD) accreditation, and National Animal Health Laboratory Network (NAHLN) approval.

The successful candidate will play a key role in expanding the laboratory's diagnostic capabilities through the development, validation, implementation, and optimization of molecular, serological, virological, and parasitological diagnostic assays, as well as next-generation sequencing (NGS). This position provides an excellent opportunity to bridge applied research with veterinary diagnostic service in a modern AAVLD and NAHLN laboratory environment, with the goals of protecting food animal populations from disease, ensuring the continued supply and safety of animal-based protein foods for human consumption, and supporting the economic viability of food animal agriculture.

Responsibilities

• Perform molecular, serological, virological, parasitological and NGS techniques following established quality management and biosafety standards for endemic, high-consequence, and foreign-animal infectious diseases affecting poultry and livestock.
• Develop, validate, implement, and optimize new diagnostic assays and technologies to enhance laboratory capabilities and capacity.
• Participate in applied research projects focused on viral pathogenesis, diagnostic assay development, vaccine evaluation, and emerging animal diseases.
• Analyze and interpret data and prepare validation reports, standard operating procedures (SOPs), and other technical documentation.
• Contribute to scientific manuscripts, conference presentations, grant proposals, and other scholarly activities.
• Assist with quality assurance activities, assay troubleshooting, proficiency testing, and regulatory compliance.
• Support laboratory operations, including equipment maintenance, inventory management, reagent preparation, and laboratory organization.
• Mentor undergraduate students, and other KADC laboratory personnel, in diagnostic and research techniques.

Requirements

• An earned Ph.D. in Veterinary or Animal Science, or a closely related field, completed within the last 3 years. (Evidence must be provided that all requirements have been met for completion of the Ph.D. prior to the effective date of hire.)
• Experience with molecular diagnostic techniques.
• Experience with Next Generation Sequencing (NGS).

Preferred Qualifications

• Veterinary diagnostic laboratory experience.
• Working with quality control/management systems.

To be considered for this position, applicants must submit a cover letter describing their experience and interest in animal/veterinary diagnostics and applied research, a current Curriculum Vitae (CV), and contact information for two to three professional references.

Benefits

Penn State provides a competitive benefits package for full-time employees designed to support both personal and professional well-being. For more detailed information, please visit the Benefits Page. (Note: For Postdoctoral benefits, please see the Postdoctoral Benefits page.)