This postdoctoral research associate will lead independent and collaborative research to advance understanding of the controls and mechanisms that predict stream microbiome structure and function. This research will leverage the gradient of land-use and precipitation that exists across the state of Kansas, and is supported by the NSF-EPSCoR RII Track-1 project, "Microbiomes of Aquatic, Plant and Soils across Kansas (MAPS)".
The postdoctoral researcher will be responsible for sample collection, data collection, data analysis and dissemination of their research. This work will be done in collaboration with Drs. Lydia Zeglin and Walter Dodds in the Division of Biology at Kansas State University, with the state-wide aquatic team including Drs. Amy Burgin, Pam Sullivan and Belinda Sturm at the University of Kansas, and in affiliation with the broader MAPS collaborative group including researchers at KU, Fort Hays State U. and Wichita State U. Candidates are expected to have completed a PhD degree in Microbial Ecology or a related field, to have strong written and oral communication skills, to have strong organizational skills, and to have a record of productive work both independently and as part of a collaborative team. The successful candidate will have two of the following core competencies: (1) experience with analysis of microbiomes or a background in microbial ecology; (2) bioinformatics skills relevant to analysis of next-generation sequence data; (3) experience with aquatic ecology or ecosystem ecology in a field setting. The candidate should be prepared to travel to field sites and conduct sample collection in field conditions, to conduct rigorous and well organized molecular microbial ecology and biogeochemistry lab protocols and data analysis, and to interpret and present results of the work at professional meetings and as published manuscripts. The successful candidate will embrace working in a collaborative team environment, while remaining independently motivated. We welcome applications from candidates with diverse backgrounds, and candidates who can bring creativity and novel perspective to bear on the general research topic. Anticipated start date for this position is September 1, 2018, but start date is negotiable. The position may be renewed for a total of 2.5 years contingent upon satisfactory performance. Salary will be commensurate with experience: $47,476 - $50,000. Interested applicants should submit a cover letter that explicitly describes your professional qualifications for the position and how postdoctoral research in aquatic microbial ecology complements your career goals, a full curriculum vitae, up to three relevant reprints, and contact information for three references. Application materials must be submitted via the official job posting at http://careers.kstate. edu. Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled. Kansas State University is located in the city of Manhattan (http://www.ci.manhattan.ks.us), a pleasant community of about 50,000 located in the scenic, native tallgrass prairie, Flint Hills region. Local recreational opportunities include a large lake/park system, road and trail biking, hiking trails, hunting and fishing, athletic events, and a rich program in the performing arts. Manhattan also serves as the regional center for education, health care, commerce, entertainment and communications, and is 2 hours from Kansas City. For more information, contact Dr. Lydia Zeglin (lzeg...@ksu.edu) or Dr. Walter Dodds (wkdo...@ksu.edu). ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Walter Dodds University Distinguished Professor, Kansas State University Brychta Chair in Biology ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
