Postdoctoral Fellow - Capone Lab - ENVR

A postdoctoral fellow position is available in the Capone Lab in the Department of Environmental and Occupational Health at the Indiana University School of Public Health-Bloomington. The fellow will join a multidisciplinary team conducting a five-year CDC-funded study focused on developing and applying integrated surveillance approaches for soil-transmitted helminth (STH) infection in the southeastern United States. Applications will be reviewed on an ongoing basis, but applications received by October 5, 2026 will be given full consideration, and the search will remain open until a suitable candidate is found. The earliest anticipated start date is October 19, 2026.

Dr. Drew Capone’s research group (https://caponelab.publichealth.indiana.edu) has broad interests in environmental health microbiology. Current projects include public health surveillance using fecal waste streams, microbial fate and transport, the role of infrastructure in interrupting enteric pathogen transmission, and predicting public health outcomes using quantitative microbial risk assessment. Lab members conduct field research in Mozambique and Indiana, as well as wet lab work in Bloomington, Indiana. We use tools from engineering, epidemiology, and environmental health microbiology to investigate the problems affecting low-income individuals and aim to improve public health in the communities where these people live. 

The postdoctoral fellow position requires a PhD in environmental health, environmental engineering, environmental science, microbiology, or a related scientific field by the time of appointment. We are looking for candidates with experience in several of the following areas (prior experience with helminths is not required):

Questions pertaining to the PeopleAdmin application procedure may be directed to [email protected]. Questions regarding the position may be directed to Dr. Capone at [email protected] 

This position offers a unique opportunity to work at the intersection of environmental microbiology, parasitology, epidemiology, and public health surveillance. The project integrates human and environmental samples (i.e., wastewater, septage, soil, flies, and stool) and uses microscopy and molecular methods, including digital PCR, to investigate STH infection and transmission. The fellow will play a leading scientific role in the project while also coordinating laboratory activities and helping manage this large, collaborative study.

 
The fellow will have opportunities to lead studies and peer-reviewed publications, develop and optimize laboratory methods, analyze complex environmental and epidemiologic data, mentor students, and develop independent research questions and proposals. The position includes collaboration with microbiologists, virologists, environmental engineers, entomologists, biologists, and epidemiologists, as well as travel to study sites in Virginia and Alabama. Opportunities may also be available to participate in other domestic and international projects in the Capone Lab.

 

We are particularly interested in candidates who want to develop an independent research profile in environmental health microbiology and who enjoy working across laboratory, field, and quantitative research. Resources are available for conference travel, and the fellow will have access to formal training in grant writing, research ethics, rigor and reproducibility, and research management.

Provide CV, cover letter summarizing research interests and fit for position, writing sample, and a list of three references. Interested candidates should submit applications at: https://indiana.peopleadmin.com/postings/34329.