Environmental Science Volunteer Jobs in Oak Ridge, TN

The Monteith Lab in the Department of Microbiology at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville is recruiting a Postdoctoral Research Associate to investigate how metabolic and environmental signals shape myeloid-cell development, immune function, and host-pathogen interactions.

The successful candidate will develop and lead a mechanistically focused research project using multidisciplinary approaches that may include primary murine and human cells, molecular and cellular biology, metabolic analysis, flow cytometry, microscopy, and in vivo infection models. The position will advance the laboratory's research program at the intersection of immunology, metabolism, and bacterial pathogenesis while providing mentored training toward scientific independence.

Required Qualifications

• Education: PhD or equivalent doctoral degree in immunology, microbiology, cell biology, molecular biology, biochemistry, cancer biology, physiology, or a related discipline by the position start date.

• Experience: 

  • Research experience obtained through doctoral training in molecular or cellular biology, immunology, microbiology, metabolism, hematology, or a related area; 

  • Experience independently planning, performing, analyzing, and troubleshooting experiments; 

  • Evidence of research productivity through peer-reviewed publications, submitted manuscripts, or completed doctoral research.

• Knowledge, Skills, Abilities: 

  • Strong understanding of experimental design, data analysis, and scientific rigor; 

  • Excellent written and oral scientific communication skills; 

  • Ability to work both independently and collaboratively; 

  • Strong organizational and time management skills; 

  • Willingness to work with murine models, primary human specimens, and BSL-2 bacterial pathogens; 

  • Commitment to maintaining a collegial, inclusive, and productive research environment.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience: 

  • Experience studying neutrophils, monocytes, macrophages, hematopoietic progenitors, or other myeloid populations; 

  • Experience with murine models and primary human or murine cells; 

  • Record of first-author publication or substantial ownership of a collaborative research project; 

  • Experience mentoring undergraduate or graduate researchers; 

  • Experience contributing to manuscripts, fellowships, or grant applications.

• Knowledge, Skills, Abilities: 

  • Proficiency in one or more of the following: multicolor flow cytometry, primary cell culture, metabolic-flux analysis, confocal microscopy, molecular biology, immunoblotting, functional immune assays, murine models, or omics-based approaches; 

  • Familiarity with quantitative data analysis, bioinformatics, or statistical programming; 

  • Ability to integrate concepts from metabolism, immunology, and microbial pathogenesis; 

  • Interest in developing an independent research direction and pursuing external funding.

Work Location 

• Location: Knoxville, Tennessee

• Onsite

Compensation and Benefits 

• Anticipated hiring range: Salary will follow the NIH NRSA postdoctoral scale in effect at the time of appointment and will be based on the candidate's full years of relevant postdoctoral experience. Under the FY2026 scale, annual compensation ranges from $63,480 for a new postdoctoral researcher to $77,076 for candidates with seven or more years of relevant experience.

• Find more information on UT Benefits here

Application Instructions 

To express interest, please submit an application via DASH with the noted below attachments:

• Curriculum vitae

• Cover letter describing relevant research experience, scientific interests, career goals, and interest in the Monteith Lab 

Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled. References will be requested from selected candidates following final interviews.

To be assured of full consideration, completed applications with all requested materials should be submitted on or before September 4, 2027.

About The Department

The Department of Microbiology is housed within the College of Arts and Sciences at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. The department supports a collaborative research and training community spanning immunology, microbial pathogenesis, virology, microbial genetics, and microbial ecology.

The Monteith Lab investigates how metabolic and environmental signals shape myeloid-cell function and bacterial physiology during infection. The laboratory is located in the Ken and Blaire Mossman Building and provides access to modern flow cytometry, microscopy, metabolic-analysis, animal-model, and shared research resources. As Tennessee's flagship research university, UT Knoxville offers extensive opportunities for interdisciplinary collaboration across campus and with regional biomedical research partners.

Develop and lead a focused research project investigating myeloid-cell biology and host defense during infection.

• Design, conduct, analyze, and troubleshoot rigorous and reproducible experiments.

• Employ primary murine and human cell systems, molecular and cellular assays, metabolic analyses, flow cytometry, microscopy, and in vivo models as appropriate to the project.

• Maintain organized experimental records and perform appropriate statistical and quantitative analyses.

• Prepare manuscripts for peer-reviewed publication and present findings at laboratory meetings and scientific conferences.

• Contribute to fellowship, grant, and research-proposal preparation.

• Collaborate with investigators and research groups within and outside UTK.

• Mentor graduate and undergraduate researchers and contribute to a supportive and collaborative laboratory environment.