Job Description Summary

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Additional Job Details

UMCES Horn Point Laboratory (https://www.umces.edu/hpl) seeks to recruit an Assistant Research Scientist (i.e., a postdoctoral scholar) to investigate virus particles removal and decay in the marine environment, focusing on the direct consumption of virions by protists—virovory—and bacterial degradation. Quantification of virion losses is crucial forconstraining infection dynamics and the flow of nutrients and energy through microbial food webs and toward upper trophic levels. The project is funded by the National Science Foundation Biological Oceanography Program and is part of an interdisciplinary team of microbial ecologists and mathematical modelers from three institutions. The Assistant Research
Scientist will be mentored primarily by Dr. Joaquín Martínez Martínez. The position is offered for up to 3 years, depending on performance, annual evaluation and continuation of funding.

The Assistant Research Scientist will assume a leading role in designing and carrying out factorial laboratory and field experiments using natural microbial communities collected from coastal nutrient-rich waters and oligotrophic open ocean sites, locally and abroad. The project will include a range of molecular and microbiological tools, including taxonomic analyses based on amplicon sequencing and CHIP-SIP, flow cytometry, and nanoSIMS. The produced empirical data will help parameterize virovory in ecosystem models developed by collaborators at the University of Tennessee-Knoxville. There will be additional opportunities and flexibility for developing and contributing to side projects on aquatic virus ecology and microbiology based on personal interests.

The Assistant Research Scientist may also have the opportunity to participate in additional professional development opportunities, such as undergraduate mentoring, teaching invited graduate-level lectures, proposal preparation, and participation in UMCES training workshops and programs (e.g., IMET REEF Program, https://imet.usmd.edu/reef-program).

Minimum Qualificiations:
A Ph.D. is required in environmental virology, biological oceanography, biogeochemistry, microbial ecology, or a related field. Candidates with experience in microbial (eukaryotes and prokaryotes) culturing techniques, microbial taxonomy analyses, flow cytometry, and/or microscopy, are especially encouraged to apply. Excellent written and communication skills (strong publication and scientific presentations record, relative to their career stage) are crucial.

We seek highly motivated applicants with demonstrated problem-solving and analytical skills and the ability to work harmoniously in a collaborative research environment.

Physical Demands: This position requires domestic and international travel. Candidate must have the ability to lift up to 50 pounds.

Required Application Materials: Applicants should submit the following documents in a single, assembled PDF file:

• Cover letter stating research interest and relevant experience (2-page maximum)
• CV/Resume
• Contact information for three (3) references

 

Best Consideration Date: June 30, 2025

 

Posting Close Date: n/a

 

Open Until Filled: yes

 

Department

UMCES-Horn Point Laboratory

Worker Sub-Type

Faculty Regular

Salary Range

$60,000 to $69,000

EEO Statement

The University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science is an equal opportunity employer. The Center’s policies, programs, and activities are in conformance with pertinent Federal and State laws and regulations on nondiscrimination regarding race, color, religion, age, national origin, sex, and disability. Inquiries regarding compliance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended; Title IX of the Educational Amendments; Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973; and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990; or related legal requirements should be directed to the Assistant Vice President of Human Resources, Center Administration, 2020 Horns Point Rd, Cambridge, MD 21613.