Postdoctoral Scholar, Environmental Microbiology

 

Summary

Michigan Technological University is seeking a postdoctoral research associate to contribute to an interdisciplinary project at the intersection of marine microbial ecology, environmental microbiology, and marine engineering. This project is part of a large interdisciplinary team aimed at developing a system for conversion of marine dissolved organic matter into electricity using microbial fuel cells. We are looking for a postdoctoral research associate to lead efforts to develop a microbial consortium that can be used in a microbial fuel cell for conversion of marine organic matter to electricity. This candidate will perform experiments to better link the extent to which dissolved organic matter composition and microbial community composition interact to determine dissolved organic carbon biodegradability and potential for electricity generation in a microbial fuel cell. The successful candidate will have previous experience with marine microbial ecology, anaerobic microbiology, and/or microbial community characterization.

The postdoctoral position is available for 12 months with the possibility for renewal dependent upon satisfactory performance and funding. The full-time positions would start in December 2024, depending on the availability of funding.

Responsibilities 

Perform research related to microbial degradation of dissolved organic matter.

Perform experiments to generate enriched and synthetic electroactive microbial communities including isolation and enrichment of electroactive microorganisms from marine samples.

Provide guidance and supervision to both graduate students and undergraduate researchers in this area.

Perform various field sampling, laboratory-scale and/or pilot-scale experiments.

Coordinate among multidisciplinary teams to achieve project objectives.

Preparing manuscripts for publication in peer-reviewed journals.

Assisting with proposal writing and project administration.

Implement best safety practices and continuous improvement.

Required Education, Certifications, Licensures

PhD in Biology, Ecology, Microbiology, Environmental Engineering or a closely related discipline.

Required Experience

● Demonstrated expertise in ecology, microbiology, molecular biology, genomics.
● Experience with coding languages such as a R, Python, or Matlab.
● Track record of publications.

Desirable Education and/or Experience

● Experience with at least two of the following: field work, anaerobic microbiology, microbial community analysis and engineering, bioinformatics, and microbial fuel cells.
● Experience with the use of analytical equipment, running biochemical tests, performing molecular biological assays, and/or metagenomics.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and/or Abilities

● Ability to publish research findings in peer-reviewed journals.
● Experience with microbial genomics and cultivation of aerobic and anaerobic bacteria.

Desirable Knowledge, Skills, and/or Abilities

Demonstrated success in, or potential future contributions to, working with persons from diverse backgrounds, creating a sense of belonging, and fostering a fair, objective, welcoming place to work for persons with a wide variety of personal characteristics and viewpoints.

Language, Mathematics and/or Reasoning Skills

 

Work Environment and/or Physical Demands

The noise level in the work environment is usually low to moderate.

Required Training and Other Conditions of Employment

Every employee at Michigan Technological University will receive the following 4 required trainings; additional training may be required by the department.

Required University Training:

• Employee Safety Overview

• Anti-Harassment, Discrimination, Retaliation Training

• Annual Data Security Training 

• Annual Title IX Training

 

Background Check:

Offers of employment are contingent upon and not considered finalized until the required background check has been performed and the results received and assessed.

Other Conditions of Employment: