Human Health Risk Assessment of Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria and Resistance Genes from Wastewater Treatment Plants

Job Type
Graduate
Job Institution
University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Job Description

Institute: Department of Food Science and Technology, University of Nebraska-Lincoln 

Location: Lincoln, Nebraska, USA 

Position Start Date: Fall semester 2025 

Description 

The Food Safety Risk Assessment research group is seeking applications for a PhD Graduate Research Assistant position starting Fall 2025, to work on assessing human health risks of antibiotic-resistant bacteria and resistance genes originating from wastewater and biosolids discharged from wastewater treatment plants. The successful applicant will enroll as a PhD student majored in Food Science and Technology or Complex Biosystems, under the advisement of Dr. Wang. 

The position will provide the opportunity to apply expertise in (1) semi-quantitative and quantitative microbial risk assessment and their applications to antibiotic resistance related health and food safety risks associated with agro-ecosystems, (2) evidence synthesis approach such as systematic review and meta-analysis, (3) predictive modelling for the sources, fate, and transport of antibiotic-resistant bacteria and resistance genes, and (4) field sampling and bioinformatical determination of the functionality and mobility of resistance genes for the prediction of risk potentials. The successful applicant will be provided with opportunities of trainings in food microbiology, food safety plan, risk assessment, evidence synthesis, statistics, bioinformatics and programming particularly in the statistical language R. 

Qualifications 

Individuals with a BS or MS degree in food science, food/environmental engineering, microbiology, statistics, bioinformatics, or closely related fields are encouraged to apply. Previous research experience, along with strong writing and oral communication skills, are highly recommended. Preference will be given to applicants with strength in computational skills or prior experience in risk assessment methodology and/or bioinformatics. 

Application Instructions 

Detailed instructions can be found at https://foodscience.unl.edu/application-admission-master-and-doctoral-degree/ for the Food Science Program and at https://cbio.unl.edu/ for the Complex Biosystems program. 

Contact 

Bing Wang, PhD 
Associate Professor of Food Safety Risk Assessment 
Department of Food Science and Technology | University of Nebraska-Lincoln 
1901 N 21st St, Food Innovation Center #250, Lincoln NE 68588 |+1 402-472-2517 | bing.wang@unl.edu