Description:

We are looking for highly motivated postdoctoral researcher and PhD student to work on an exciting interdisciplinary project investigating the effects of drought on rhizosphere microbial communities, the molecular composition of root exudates, and explore interactions between root exudates and microbiome recruitment in the rhizosphere. Duties include initiating and managing manipulative greenhouse experiments, collecting root exudates, preparing microbial inoculants, performing DNA and RNA extractions, and exoenzyme bioassays, and integrating multi-OMICS ‘big data’ (high resolution mass spectrometry and bioinformatic data) using high-performance computing. Duties also include writing manuscripts and presenting results. Successful candidates for these positions will have experience in performing manipulative greenhouse experiments, soil ecology, microbiome studies, and strong evidence of research productivity (publications).

This USDA Agriculture Microbiomes funded project is managed by Drs. Peyton Smith, Julie Howe, and Sanjay Antony Babu at Texas A&M University. Positions will be in the Dept. of Soil and Crop Sciences, or in Plant Pathology and Microbiology. The postdoc position is for 2 years, contingent on job performance. The preferred postdoc position start date is January 4th, 2021, but is negotiable. Researchers from underrepresented groups (race, ethnicity or sexual orientation/identity) are encouraged to apply.

 

Proposed Annual Salary Range

$45,000-$57,000 plus applicable benefits

 

Required skills (postdoc):

-PhD in soil or microbial ecology, microbiology, or related field (prior to start date).

-Excellent writing and communication skills as evidenced by first-author publications (appropriate for career stage).

-Ability to work independently and as a team, as we expect the postdoc and student to work together on this project.

-Experience performing and managing greenhouse experiments: plant growth, phenotyping, stress induction in plants and associated statistical analyses.

-Knowledge in analyzing and handling ‘omics’ data: UNIX and batch submission on HPC, assembly and annotation of genomics and metatranscriptomic data.

-Experience in soils research and knowledge in soil activity assays and enzyme profiling.

 

Preferred skills (postdoc):

-Experience with advanced data analysis and statistics, such as machine learning and network analyses in R or Python/Perl.

-Experience in microbiome-plant-soil interactions

Willingness to include students in research

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For full consideration please apply by September 20, 2020. Position is open until filled. Complete applications will include: 1) Cover letter addressing required and preferred qualifications, 2) CV, 3) Unofficial transcripts, and 4) Contact information of references. References will not be contacted without prior notification to candidate.

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For queries and information regarding application process, please email peyton.smith@tamu.edu, or sanjay@tamu.edu with subject line "query re: cotton drought microbiome"

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Apply by following the link: https://tamus.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com/AgriLife_Research_External/job/College-Station-AL-RSCH/Postdoctoral-Research-Associate_R-031294