Research Scientist II

Are you a scientist passionate about infectious disease research and genomic discovery? The NGS Lab is looking for a motivated and innovative Research Scientist II to help advance our work on Escherichia coli and other emerging and reemerging pathogens. This is an exciting opportunity to contribute to research that directly impacts animal health, disease prevention, and public health outcomes.

What you’ll do:

• Design and lead molecular, genetic, and immunological experiments to study bacterial virulence and host pathogen interactions
• Conduct animal studies to evaluate gene function, disease mechanisms, and vaccine safety and efficacy
• Analyze whole genome sequencing and next generation sequencing data to understand pathogen evolution, transmission, and outbreak dynamics
• Collaborate with faculty, diagnosticians, and multidisciplinary research teams to detect and characterize emerging pathogens
• Contribute to scientific publications, grant proposals, and presentations while mentoring students and research staff

Additional Details:

• Appointment Type: Full-time, 2-year term position with potential for extension based on funding and performance
• Work Environment: Primarily laboratory-based with a combination of bench research and bioinformatics work
• Collaboration: Regular interaction with researchers, diagnosticians, and trainees across the Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory and university

About the Department:

The Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory (VDL) at Iowa State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine is a nationally recognized leader in animal health diagnostics and disease surveillance. The Li Lab supports this mission by combining molecular biology, genomics, and epidemiology to better understand infectious diseases and strengthen prevention, detection, and response strategies that protect both animal and public health.