APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS:

CURRENT PENN STATE EMPLOYEE (faculty, staff, technical service, or student), please login to Workday to complete the internal application process. Please do not apply here, apply internally through Workday.
CURRENT PENN STATE STUDENT (not employed previously at the university) and seeking employment with Penn State, please login to Workday to complete the student application process. Please do not apply here, apply internally through Workday.
If you are NOT a current employee or student, please click “Apply” and complete the application process for external applicants.

Approval of remote and hybrid work is not guaranteed regardless of work location. For additional information on remote work at Penn State, see Notice to Out of State Applicants.

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.

POSITION SPECIFICS

The Mohanty Lab at Penn State (University Park campus) invites applications for a Postdoctoral Researcher to join a highly interdisciplinary research program focused on decoding host–microbiome chemical communication using mass spectrometry, data science, and experimental biochemistry.

Research Focus

The postdoctoral researcher will contribute to projects spanning:

Untargeted and targeted LC-MS/MS based metabolomics

Repository-scale metabolomics mining (GNPS/MassIVE, MetaboLights, Metabolomics Workbench)

Discovery and characterization of microbial and host-derived metabolites

Enzymology and biochemical characterization of metabolite-modifying enzymes

Integration of metabolomics with microbial, dietary, drug, and aging-related phenotypes

Required Qualifications

Ph.D. in Chemistry, Biochemistry, Chemical Biology, Microbiology, Bioinformatics, or a related field
Demonstrated research experience in at least one of the following areas:
Mass spectrometry-based metabolomics or proteomics
Enzyme biochemistry or mechanistic enzymology
Microbial metabolism or molecular biology
Computational analysis of high-dimensional biological data

Preferred Qualifications

Experience with LC-MS/MS data analysis (GNPS, MZmine, SIRIUS, or related tools)

Experience with enzyme expression, purification, or biochemical assays

Familiarity with R or Python for data analysis

Interest in interdisciplinary research bridging computation and experimentation

Environment & Mentorship

The Mohanty Lab provides a collaborative, supportive environment with strong mentorship, opportunities for independent project development, conference travel, and career development toward academic, industry, or data science careers.

Application Instructions

Applicants should submit a single PDF containing:

Cover letter describing research interests and fit Curriculum Vitae Brief research summary (1–2 pages)
Contact information for three referees

Positions have flexible start dates, beginning as early as April 2026

BACKGROUND CHECKS/CLEARANCES

Employment with the University will require successful completion of background check(s) in accordance with University policies.

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 our Benefits Page. (Note: For Postdoctoral benefits, please see our Postdoctoral Benefits page.)

CAMPUS SECURITY CRIME STATISTICS

Pursuant to the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act and the Pennsylvania Act of 1988, Penn State publishes a combined Annual Security and Annual Fire Safety Report (ASR). The ASR includes crime statistics and institutional policies concerning campus security, such as those concerning alcohol and drug use, crime prevention, the reporting of crimes, sexual assault, and other matters. The ASR is available for review here.

EEO IS THE LAW

Penn State is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to providing employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status. If you are unable to use our online application process due to an impairment or disability, please contact 814-865-1473.

The Pennsylvania State University is committed to and accountable for advancing equity, respect, and belonging. We embrace individual uniqueness, as well as a culture of belonging that supports equity initiatives, leverages the educational and institutional benefits of inclusion in society, and provides opportunities for engagement intended to help all members of the community thrive. We value belonging as a core strength and an essential element of the university’s teaching, research, and service mission.

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Postdoctoral Researcher - Metabolomics, Microbial Metabolism, and Enzymology

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS:

CURRENT PENN STATE EMPLOYEE (faculty, staff, technical service, or student), please login to Workday to complete the internal application process. Please do not apply here, apply internally through Workday.

CURRENT PENN STATE STUDENT (not employed previously at the university) and seeking employment with Penn State, please login to Workday to complete the student application process. Please do not apply here, apply internally through Workday.

If you are NOT a current employee or student, please click “Apply” and complete the application process for external applicants.