Job Information
Iowa State University Postdoc - Plant-Soil-Microbe Interactions in Sustainable Bioenergy in Ames, Iowa
Position Title:Postdoc - Plant-Soil-Microbe Interactions in Sustainable Bioenergy
Appointment Type:Post Doc/Trainee
Job Description:Summary of Duties and Responsibilities:
A postdoctoral research associate position is available in Genomics and Environmental Research in Microbial Systems (http://germslab.org/) as part of the Sustainability Theme in the U.S. Department of Energy-funded Bioenergy Research Center (BRC), the Center for Advanced Bioenergy and Bioproducts Innovation (CABBI) (https://www.cabbi.bio/) . The goal of the CABBI Sustainability Theme is to develop the predictive capability to determine which feedstock combinations, regions and land types, market conditions, and biofuels and bioproducts have the potential to support the ecologically and economically sustainable displacement of fossil fuels.
The postdoc is sought to support research on plant-soil-microbe interactions in bioenergy cropping systems (sorghum, sugarcane/energycane, and miscanthus) with regards to microbial interactions with sustainable feedstock development. This includes but is not limited to: investigating how highly productive perennial grasses alter deep soil carbon cycling; assessing how drought tolerance traits can reduce the carbon intensity of bioenergy crop production; and determining how oil-enhanced bioenergy crops alter soil carbon and nitrogen cycling. Job duties include designing and conducting field and laboratory experiments, developing and testing innovative methods to investigate plant-soil-microbe interactions, coordinating research activities with a large team of collaborators, mentoring graduate students, supervising undergraduates, writing manuscripts, and presenting at scientific conferences.
The postdoc work with Dr. Adina Howe and will collaborate with other researchers in the CABBI Sustainability, Feedstock Production, and Conversion Themes, including ecosystem modelers, microbial ecologists, and agronomists. The ideal candidate has creativity, independence, and the desire to learn new things. The start date is flexible, but ideally by January 2, 2025. The position is available on a year-to-year basis for up to two years, with annual renewal dependent on funding.
Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the U.S. on an on-going basis without sponsorship.
For further information about the position, please contact Dr. Adina Howe at adina@iastate.edu (adina@iastate.edu,) with subject line “CABBI Plant-Soil-Microbe postdoc application”.
Required Minimum Qualifications:
• Ph.D. or equivalent in microbiology, bioinformatics, ecology, biogeochemistry, soil science, or related field
• Experience with processing and analyzing soil metagenomes
• Experience with statistical analyses for metagenome datasets
Preferred Qualifications:
• Experience with large sequencing datasets
• Experience with bioinformatics and high performance computing
• Experience with laboratory and field research that demonstrates an ability to work in a collaborative environment.
• Strong organizational, writing and oral communication skills as demonstrated by scholarly publications
Department Website:
https://www.abe.iastate.edu/
Proposed Start Date:January 2, 2025
Proposed End Date or Length of Term:December 31, 2025
Number of Months Employed Per Year:12 Month Work Period
Time Type:Full time
Application Instructions:
To apply for this position, please click on “Apply” and complete the Employment Application. Please be prepared to enter or attach the following:1) Resume/Curriculum Vitae2) Letter of Application/Cover LetterIf you have questions regarding this application process, please email employment@iastate.edu or call 515-294-4800 or Toll Free: 1-877-477-7485.Why Choose ISU?Iowa State Postdocs enjoy comprehensive health and work-life benefits, including medical and dental; as well as:• Retirement benefits including defined benefit and defined contribution plans• Generous vacation, holiday, and sick time and leave plans• Onsite childcare (Ames, Iowa)• Flexible Spending Accounts• Various voluntary benefits and discounts• Employee Assistance Program• Wellbeing Program
Original Posting Date: October 9, 2024
Posting Close Date:November 15, 2024
Job Requisition Number:R15657
By focusing on the future and providing the best student experience possible, Iowa State attracts students and faculty who want to make a difference. With a comprehensive land-grant mission of education, research, extension and outreach, we produce scholars whose ideas change the world. And through Innovate at Iowa State , we provide innovative and entrepreneurial opportunities for students of all backgrounds. Located just 30 minutes north of Des Moines, the city of Ames was recently named one of the Top 10 cities in the U.S. for campus life and career opportunities.
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If you have questions about the application process please email employment@iastate.edu or call 515-294-4800 or Toll-Free at 1-877-477-7485 . Iowa State University provides reasonable accommodations to applicants and employees with disabilities. Applicants with questions about access or requiring a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process should email employment@iastate.edu or call (515) 294-4800 or Toll-Free: (877) 477-7485 . TTY users are welcome to use the Iowa Relay Service number by dialing 7-1-1 or (800) 735-2942 .
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