JOB POST: Bioinformatician in the Department of Microbiology at Ohio State

The Microbiology Department at The Ohio State University has the following position in which you may be interested.

Title: Research Associate 2-B/H
Department: Microbiology Admin
Posting Number: 378550

Performs analysis and interpretation of high throughput genomic data; develops experimental procedures and analyzes data; translates biological questions into computational goals using existing methods or developing new algorithms and tools when existing methods are inadequate; designs, develops, modifies, tests, evaluates and maintains customized scripting programs for analyzing, preparing, converting biological data (Illumina and other NGS platforms) for import and export; trains and assists research group members in UNIX/Linux methodologies; performs system administration work including interfacing with collocation facility; orders supplies; configures new computers; maintains quality assurance documentation.

If you are interested in this position, you can apply on our employment site at:www.jobsatosu.com

The good and bad of being a postdoc and student mentor at a research lab…

One of the best things, and one of the worst things, about mentoring and supervising students and postdocs at my institution is when they leave for their next position.  This last month has seen a remarkable confluence of the above.  Two postdocs (Tarah and Meg) have now moved on to fabulous new Assistant Professor positions; my graduate student (Migun) has graduated and moved on to a postdoc; and a visiting summer graduate student (Stacy) has returned to her studies and teaching.  And as if that wasn’t enough, Emily another grad student I co-advise, will finish in November!  This is particularly remarkable as I don’t have a huge group and have never had more than 5-6 students/postdocs in my lab at any given time!

As a mentor, I couldn’t be prouder!

I must be doing something right, or at least have done right initially in picking some smart scientists and dedicated individuals to work with over these last few years. CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL!

As a Project Manager, PI and Mid-Career Scientist all I can say is yikes! 

All of the projects these folks have worked on have further studies to complete in the near term or are continuing for the long term. This will be a challenge for me as I try to keep making progress over the next few months.  I suspect that I may be having some more hands on time in the lab.  This is a very iffy proposition as I’m extremely rusty in my bench/laboratory skills.  How will I succeed in the lab, analyze data, write papers, conduct searches for replacement students/postdocs, manage projects and budgets, write grant proposals, serve on review panels, peer review and edit papers, serve on committees, etc., etc., and make any reasonable progress on any one of the above?

Check back with me after the new year… If I’m still sane/standing that is!

JOB POSTING: Postdoc with Levente Bodrossy’s lab at CSIRO

We are recruiting a postdoctoral fellow for our new project on high resolution microbial oceanography at CSIRO Marine and Atmospheric Research in Hobart, Tasmania. 

 In particular we are seeking candidates with experience in analysis and/or annotation of genomic and metagenomic sequence data for metabolically-relevant genes using a range of tools (e.g. IMG, Genemark, Glimmer, megan4 etc). The expertise of the successful candidate will be used to: 

– identify candidate functional marker genes for existing and emerging biogeochemical processes through screening of genomes, metagenomes and metatranscriptomes as well as database mining

– assemble and maintain databases of marker genes

– develop high throughput molecular tools based on marker genes, to interrogate the microbial community involved in key processes 

I have attached the job description and would be grateful if you could post this at your institute and/or pass it on to potential candidates.

The detailed job description and application guideline is also available on CSIRO’s website:  http://csiro.nga.net.au/publicfiles/csiro/jobs/246627b5-95c8-c5be-34a8-76e11665f859/TAS1302761%20Postdoctoral%20Fellow%20Functional%20Genomics.pdf

To apply, please start here: http://csiro.nga.net.au/cp/index.cfm?event=jobs.jati&returnToEvent=jobs.home&jobID=246627b5-95c8-c5be-34a8-76e11665f859&audienceTypeCode=EXT&UseAudienceTypeLanguage=1

Postdoctoral Research Associate in Soil Carbon Cycle Science and Microbial Ecology now open in my group at Oak Ridge National Laboratory

The Biosciences and Environmental Sciences Divisions, and the Climate Change Science Institute at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (http://www.ornl.gov), are seeking a postdoctoral researcher to support interdisciplinary efforts to understand the effects of climate change on soil biogeochemical and microbiologically driven carbon cycling. The selected candidate will work across linked projects involving a long-term climate change experiment to understand ecosystem-level responses in experimental manipulations of an ombiotrophic bog (peatland) in Minnesota (more information found at http://mnspruce.ornl.gov).  The second project involves complementary lab- and field-scale experiments to improve understanding and modeling of interactions between physical, chemical and biological drivers of soil organic carbon decomposition.

Major Duties/Responsibilities

Design, conduct and interpret laboratory and field based research; lead and contribute to the development of scientific manuscripts and proposals.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications: Ph.D. in biology, ecology, microbiology, soil science or a related scientific disciplines, with demonstrated experience and expertise in the research areas related to the above projects. Demonstrated expertise must include a track record of primary contributions to peer-reviewed publications in one or more of the following areas: soil nutrient and carbon cycling, soil biogeochemistry, and molecular microbial ecology.

Qualifications Preferred:  Priority will be given to applicants with a successful history of interdisciplinary, integrative, and innovative research in these areas.  Familiarity with software tools for next generation DNA sequence analysis of rRNA and metagenomic microbial datasets (e.g QIIME) as well as the ability to program and script in R, Python or Perl to customize such analyses would also be preferred.

Applicants cannot have received the most recent degree more than five years prior to the date of application and must complete all degree requirements before starting their appointment.

Official applications will only be accepted via the jobs.ornl.gov site.  However, questions about the position should be directed to schadtcw@ornl.gov and mayesma@ornl.gov.

JOB POST: Postdoctoral Fellowships at UTK-NIMBioS

Call for Postdoctoral Fellowship Applications at NIMBioS — Next Deadline: September 1, 2013

The National Institute for Mathematical and Biological Synthesis (NIMBioS), located at the Univ. of Tennessee, Knoxville, is currently accepting applications for postdoctoral scholarship at the interface between mathematics and biology. Highest priority will be given to those with explicit plans to develop their ability to effectively carry on research across these fields. We are particularly interested in requests to support research that integrates diverse fields, requires synthesis at multiple scales, and/or makes use of or requires development of new mathematical/computational approaches. NIMBioS Postdoctoral Fellows are chosen based upon indications that the applicant’s research plans are consistent with the mission of NIMBioS, the applicant has the demonstrated ability to carry out the proposed research, and the opportunities provided through NIMBioS will enhance the capacity for the research to be completed in an efficient and timely manner. Support: annual stipend of $51,000, full University of Tennessee employee fringe benefits, and an annual travel allowance of $2,000. 

How to apply: Complete the online application and submit a brief project description, references, and CV following the guidelines available at http://www.nimbios.org/postdocs/ 

Deadline:  NIMBioS postdoctoral requests for support are reviewed two times per year, and the selected researchers are offered positions at NIMBioS where they conduct research that is mostly self-directed. The deadline for activities beginning in summer/fall 2014 is September 1, 2013 but applications for positions starting later in 2014 are also accepted at this time. All letters of recommendation must be submitted before the request deadline.

The National Institute for Mathematical and Biological Synthesis (NIMBioS) (http://www.nimbios.org) brings together researchers from around the world to collaborate across disciplinary boundaries to investigate solutions to basic and applied problems in the life sciences. NIMBioS is sponsored by the National Science Foundation, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture with additional support from The University of Tennessee, Knoxville.

JOB POST: Postdoc position in microbe-mineral interfaces

The Hanson and Chan laboratories at the University of Delaware are seeking motivated geomicrobiologists in training to work at the microbe-mineral interface. Our NSF funded project (award # 1244373) seeks to understand how the phototrophic bacterium Chlorobaculum tepidum both produces and consumes extracellular elemental sulfur. This is a new and rapidly developing system in microbe-mineral interactions. The project utilizes (and provides extensive training opportunities in) anaerobic microbial genetics, systems biology, electron microscopy, and nanoscale geochemical analysis methods. Our laboratories are located at the Delaware Biotechnology Institute (www.dbi.udel.edu), the newly constructed Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering Laboratory (www.udel.edu/iselab/), and we will make extensive use of advanced capabilities in UD’s BioImaging center (bioimaging.dbi.udel.edu). UD offers a number of programs for professional development and networking specifically targeted at postdoctoral researchers. We are committed to providing an environment where enthusiastic and talented postdoctoral researchers can advance their careers. 

Tom Hanson (tehanson@udel.edu)

Clara Chan (cschan@udel.edu) 

Job Post: Two Postdoctoral Positions in Australia with Ian Anderson and Jeff Powell

Ref 114/13 Postdoctoral Research Fellow in Eucalypt – Fungal Associations, Hawkesbury Institute for the Enivronment 

For a position description and application instructions, go to: 

http://bit.ly/XJzE0D

This is an exciting opportunity to undertake research related to an Australian Research Council Discovery (ARCD) grant (‘Switching partners: a driving force for tree productivity in a changing environment?’). Many eucalypts form mycorrhizal associations with two different and diverse groups of fungi, a trait shared by only a few ecologically and economically significant tree species. While each of these groups of fungi are important contributors to global primary productivity, the benefits that trees derive from these dual associations are not fully known. This research will explain the basis for this diversity and determine whether trees will make greater demands of their partners in future climates.

Applicants should have expertise within the broad areas of plant-microbe associations, molecular microbial ecology, soil science, or related fields. A background in the generation and analysis of next-generation sequence data will also be well regarded.

This is a full time, fixed term (2.5 years) appointment based at our Hawkesbury campus.

Remuneration Package: Academic Level A $91,289 to $96,851 p.a. (comprising Salary $77,140 to $81,840 p.a., plus 17% Superannuation and Leave Loading).

Position Enquiries: Dr Jeff Powell, +61 (0) 2 4570 1093 jeff.powell@uws.edu.au
Closing Date: 21 March 2013

__________________________________________

Ref 161/13 Postdoctoral Research Fellow in Plant-Fungal Associations, Hawkesbury Institute for the Environment

For a position description and application instructions, go to:  

http://bit.ly/XlK7mL

This is an exciting opportunity to undertake research related to an Australian Research Council Discovery (ARCD) grant (Plant : fungal symbioses in Australian forests – new perspectives using laser microdissection). The main goal of this project is to understand the importance of interactions between basidiomycete fungi and the roots of understorey Ericaceae shrubs, and determine the potential for these fungi to form mycelial linkages between the understorey shrubs and overstorey trees in Australian forests.

The successful applicant will have experience in the use of microscopy and/or molecular microbial ecology technigues in studying plant:microbe associations.

This is a full time, fixed term (2 years) appointment based at our HAwkesbury campus.

Remuneration Package: Academic Level A $91,289 to $96,851 p.a. (comprising Salary $77,140 to $81,840 p.a., plus 17% Superannuation and Leave Loading).

Position Enquiries: Professor Ian Anderson, Director of Research, +61 (0) 4570 1993 or  i.anderson@uws.edu.au
Closing Date: 21 March 2013

Job Post: Mycology postdoc with Andrew Miller and Illinois Natural History Survey

The Illinois Natural History Survey is offering a competitive Post Doctoral Research Associate position for 2 years
which includes a generous salary, benefits, funds for research expenses, and the opportunity to live in glorious East-Central Illinois. Research in Mycology that would add new directions and build on my lab’s strengths include endophytes and environmental sampling, although I am open to additional suggestions. Applications are due March 15, 2013. Please contact Dr. Andrew Miller (amiller@inhs.illinois.edu) if you are interested to discuss this position further.

Please see the position announcement at:
http://wwx.inhs.illinois.edu/opportunities/post-doctoral/postdoc-sponsors/

New content posted

Links to upcoming meetings featuring Schadt Lab researchers are now posted to the ‘Meetings Calander’ page. I am particularly looking forward to attending the Fungal Genetics Meeting in Asilomar this year for the first time, where I am lucky enough to be organizing a session on Ecological Metagenomics with Betsy Arnold of the University of Arizona. I’ve heard from many people I respect greatly that this is a fabulous meeting, and it is surely in a fabulous location!

Also I have included a page titled ‘Projects, Sponsors and Links’. This includes links to some of the major projects we are involved in daily in the Schadt Lab, as well as links to the always important agency sponsors and collaborators. I have only done the easy ones so far (those that large projects that have their own web pages), but hopefully I can add some of the smaller (but no less important!) ones soon.

The ‘Job Postings’ page includes postings for various positions received from collaborators and others I have run across via mailing lists and other sources.

The ‘about’ page also has a new name and a small amount of new content.  It is now the ‘People’ page and I anticipate adding more information about current and past lab members as I gain permission, ambition and time to do so.