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BiomeSense

Senior Bioinformatics Engineer

Chicago, IL · On-site

$125K - $200K/yr

... microbiome for human health. We partner with leading institutions and researchers including UCSF, UCSD, NIH, and the University of Chicago, and are backed by investors such as LabCorp Ventures ...

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How much do human microbiome jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 14, 2026, the average yearly pay for human microbiome in the United States is $44,245.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $37,500.00 and $48,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a Human Microbiome job?

A Human Microbiome job involves studying the trillions of microorganisms that live in and on the human body to understand their role in health and disease. Professionals in this field work in research, healthcare, biotechnology, or pharmaceuticals, analyzing microbial communities using advanced techniques like DNA sequencing and bioinformatics. Their work can contribute to developing probiotics, personalized medicine, and treatments for conditions linked to microbiome imbalances.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in the Human Microbiome position, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Human Microbiome Scientist, you need a strong background in microbiology, molecular biology, and bioinformatics, typically supported by an advanced degree such as a Ph.D. or M.S. in a relevant field. Hands-on experience with next-generation sequencing, metagenomic data analysis software, and laboratory techniques like PCR and culturing are commonly required. Strong problem-solving skills, attention to detail, and effective collaboration abilities help researchers navigate complex datasets and multidisciplinary projects. These skills are crucial for advancing our understanding of the human microbiome and translating research into clinical or therapeutic innovations.

What are common challenges faced by scientists working in the human microbiome field?

One of the main challenges for professionals in the human microbiome field is the complexity and variability of microbial communities between individuals, which makes interpreting data and drawing conclusions more difficult. Researchers often work with large, intricate datasets that require advanced computational skills and careful experimental design to ensure accuracy and reproducibility. Additionally, staying current with rapid technological advancements and evolving best practices in bioinformatics is essential. Collaboration with clinicians, bioinformaticians, and other researchers is common and helps address these challenges by bringing diverse expertise to the table.

More about Human Microbiome jobs
What are the most commonly searched types of Human Microbiome jobs? The most popular types of Human Microbiome jobs are:
What states have the most Human Microbiome jobs? States with the most job openings for Human Microbiome jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Human Microbiome jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Human Microbiome jobs are:
Human Microbiome jobs near you
Infographic showing various Human Microbiome job openings in the United States as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 94% Full Time, 1% Temporary, and 4% Contract. Highlights an 94% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 4% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $44,245 per year, or $21.3 per hour.
Post-Doctoral Research Associate: Department of Microbiology - UTK

Post-Doctoral Research Associate: Department of Microbiology - UTK

The University of Tennessee

Knoxville, TN • On-site

$50K - $55K/yr

Full-time

Posted 12 days ago

Job description

Job Description
The Zachary Burcham Lab in the Department of Microbiology at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville (UTK) is focused on how key microbes within host and environmental microbiomes degrade organic wastes and how modulating these microbiomes may lead to cleaner, more efficient waste conversion into valuable bioproducts. Current lab research spans diverse biological scales, including the microbial roles in organic waste cycling by the black soldier fly larvae (BSFL) gut microbiome, forensic microbiology, and collaborations in human health focused on oral and vaginal microbiomes. We utilize a combination of environmental sampling, laboratory models, multi-omics, and bioinformatic tools to explore the relationship between microbial diversity, microbial interactions, and ecological outcomes in free-living and host-associated systems. We are looking for a Postdoctoral Researcher to lead and advance computational/bioinformatic integrative analyses of these multi-omic microbiome datasets.
A successful candidate will be able to develop reproducible analytical workflows, generate publishable insights from large, complex datasets, and contribute to high-impact manuscripts and grant proposals in host-associated and environmental microbiome research. This is a 12-month appointment renewed annually; funding is available for up to three years, with possible extension based on performance and funding.
Responsibilities
  • Lead bioinformatic analyses of microbiome datasets, including 16S rRNA, shotgun metagenomics, and metatranscriptomics (e.g., QC, assembly, binning/MAG recovery, annotation, and downstream statistical analyses).
  • Develop, document, and maintain reproducible pipelines.
  • Integrate multi-omic data with experimental and environmental metadata.
  • Apply rigorous statistical and computational approaches for microbiome community ecology (diversity, ordination, differential abundance, compositional methods, network/assembly modeling as appropriate).
  • Generate high-quality figures, tables, and reports suitable for manuscripts, conference presentations, and progress reports.
  • Collaborate with PIs, students, and external partners; contribute to manuscript preparation and, as appropriate, proposal development.
  • Mentor graduate and undergraduate trainees.
  • Maintain accurate project documentation, data organization, and analysis provenance consistent with open and reproducible science.

Qualifications
Required Qualifications
Education:
  • PhD (or equivalent doctoral degree) in bioinformatics, computational biology, microbiology, genomics, biostatistics, or a closely related field by the start date.

Experience:
  • Demonstrated experience analyzing microbiome sequencing data, including hands-on work with common microbiome data science pipelines and outputs.
  • Wet-lab experience relevant to microbiome and host-associated systems, including molecular biology workflows (nucleic acid extraction, PCR/qPCR, NGS library preparation).

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:
  • Strong programming/scripting skills (R and/or Python required; comfort in Linux/Unix environments).
  • Experience working on HPC or cloud computing environments and managing computational jobs/workflows.
  • Familiarity with microbiome methods and tools for taxonomic/functional profiling, assembly and binning, and statistical analysis.
  • Ability to communicate results clearly (written and oral) and to work collaboratively in a team setting.

Preferred Qualifications
Education:
  • Formal training in advanced statistics, machine learning, or multi-omics integration is a plus.
  • Preference for candidates with training in entomology, microbial degradation, or agricultural science.

Experience:
  • Experience with metatranscriptomic processing/analysis (e.g., rRNA filtering/depletion strategies, mapping/quantification, differential expression).
  • Experience recovering and analyzing MAGs (e.g., bin refinement, quality assessment, dereplication, phylogenomics).
  • Experience integrating metabolomics/chemical profiling or other multi-omics with microbiome sequencing data.
  • Experience building robust, shareable pipelines with reproducible documentation practices.
  • Wet-lab experience in vitro experimentation and/or hands-on work with entomology, decomposition/degradation-focused studies, or other related biological systems.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:
  • Strong quantitative skills in experimental design and statistical modeling for high-dimensional microbiome data.
  • Interest in microbial ecology and host-microbiome systems (including insect- or decomposition-associated microbiomes) and translating analyses into biological insight.
  • Demonstrated record of peer-reviewed publications and ability to independently drive projects to completion.

Work Location
  • Location: University of Tennessee, Knoxville
  • Onsite

Compensation and Benefits
  • Anticipated hiring range: $50,000 - $55,000
  • Find more information on the UT Market Range structure here
  • Find more information on UT Benefits here

Application Instructions
To express interest, please submit an application with the noted below attachments:
  • CV
  • Cover Letter
  • List of 3 Professional References

About The Department
The Department of Microbiology values the quality of life of all its members, and we are committed to recruiting and retaining a diverse community and to supporting the intercultural goals of the University. Knoxville is an exciting and affordable city that has undergone a vibrant civic revitalization over the past several years and is being recognized as one of the most exciting up-and-coming regions in the country. Nestled in the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains, Knoxville offers a broad spectrum of educational, recreational, and cultural opportunities.
About Us
The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, has shaped leaders, changemakers, and innovative thinkers since its founding in 1794. The university is home to more than 38,000 students and 10,000 statewide employees-the Volunteers-who uphold the university's tradition of lighting the way for others through leadership and service.
UT Knoxville offers over 900 programs of study across 14 degree-granting colleges and schools. As Tennessee's flagship land-grant university, its footprint spans the entire state. The university holds the highest Carnegie classification for research activity and has deep partnerships with industry leaders and the US Department of Energy's largest multidisciplinary laboratory, Oak Ridge National Laboratory.
The Knoxville campus serves and recruits for UT Knoxville, including the Institute of Agriculture and the Space Institute, as well as the UT Institute of Public Service.
UT Knoxville considers its employees its number one asset. With values that focus on work-life balance, compensation, and innovation leadership, all Vols are supported to advance professionally. Employees have access to career development and coaching, continued education, and an extensive list of development and training possibilities. The Volunteer employee experience implements structures and practices to attract and retain top-tier talent, fostering a strong staff community and supporting a culture of involvement and engagement for everyone.
The university holds a strong commitment to its land-grant mission of learning and engagement, with a tradition of service and leadership that carries that Volunteer spirit throughout the state and around the world. It has been ranked nationally as "Best Employer for New Graduates," "One of America's Best Large Employers," and "Best Workplace for Women," and has been designated as "Best Place for Working Parents" by Forbes Magazine.
Apply today and join the Tennessee Volunteer community!

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