RESEARCH FELLOW

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Job Summary

The Pereira Lab at the Life Sciences Institute (LSI) is looking for a postdoctoral research fellow to join our research team. Our research integrates evolutionary systems and synthetic biology approaches to address the current challenges in natural product discovery. Through genome and enzyme engineering, we design high-performance microbial strains to accelerate the discovery and controlled production of natural products to develop new therapeutic leads.

You will characterize the molecular mechanisms that regulate primary and secondary metabolism in Streptomyces species and will develop the cutting-edge experimental and computational approaches to accelerate natural product discovery. You will demonstrate strong teamwork, and you will have the academic freedom to independently develop the project in an interdisciplinary environment (60% wet lab and 40% computational). You will report directly to Dr. Pereira and work a fully on-site work schedule.

Salary is determined by years or quality of experience.

Mission Statement

The Life Sciences Institute explores biological processes, structures and functions at the finest scale to create impact on a global scale.

For more information on the Pereira laboratory: https://www.lsi.umich.edu/science/our-labs/filipa-pereira-lab

Responsibilities*

Experimental responsibilities will include:

  • Perform genome engineering of Streptomyces strains (e.g. CRISPR, homologous recombination, phage integration).
  • Design engineered strains for improved production of target compounds.
  • Design and implementation of protocols for high-throughput metabolomics analysis of microbial secondary and primary metabolome.
  • Characterize engineered Streptomyces strains integrating molecular and omics analysis (e.g. genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, and metabolomics).
  • Perform genome mining and (meta)genomics analysis.
  • Perform protein expression, purification, and characterization using biochemical assays.
  • Set up high-throughput screening methods and analytics including HPLC and/or LC-MS/MS.
  • Isolate and characterize natural products.

Non-Experimental responsibilities will include:

  • Work/collaborate with other postdoctoral fellows and graduate students in and outside of the laboratory.
  • Mentor undergraduates and graduate students in the laboratory.
  • Work with the faculty PI on the preparation of manuscripts and grants.

Required Qualifications*

  • Ph.D. degree in Bioengineering, Biological Sciences, Synthetic Biology, Microbiology, Systems Biology, Bioinformatics/Computational Biology, Biochemistry, or related fields.
  • Minimum two (2) years of experience in microbial strain engineering (e.g. CRISPR, homologous recombination, phage integration).
  • Minimum two (2) years of experience with cloning, genome editing, enzyme and pathway optimization.
  • Minimum two (2) years of experience with microbial cultivation.
  • Minimum two (2) years of experience with mass spectrometry.
  • Minimum two (2) years of experience with statistical analysis of omics datasets, especially metabolomics and genomics.
  • Minimum two (2) years of experience with programming language (e.g. Matlab, R or Python) and statistics.

Desired Qualifications*

  • Minimum two (2) years of experience to learn systems biology approaches, high-throughput methodologies.
  • Minimum four (4) years of experience with biochemical and molecular biological methods.
  • Interest in mathematical modeling of metabolic and regulatory network.

Modes of Work

Positions that are eligible for hybrid or mobile/remote work mode are at the discretion of the hiring department. Work agreements are reviewed annually at a minimum and are subject to change at any time, and for any reason, throughout the course of employment. Learn more about the work modes.

Additional Information

Benefits at the University of Michigan: 

  • The University of Michigan offers a comprehensive benefits package to help you stay well, protect yourself and your family and plan for a secure future. Benefits include:
  • Many choices for comprehensive health insurance
  • Dental and Vision Insurance
  • Life insurance
  • Flexible spending accounts for healthcare and dependent care expenses
  • Maternity and Parental Leave

Background Screening

The University of Michigan conducts background checks on all job candidates upon acceptance of a contingent offer and may use a third party administrator to conduct background checks.  Background checks are performed in compliance with the Fair Credit Reporting Act.

Application Deadline

All applications for this position must be received by 11:59p on January 26, 2026.

U-M EEO Statement

The University of Michigan is an equal employment opportunity employer.