Plant Microbiome Research Associate
Michigan State University (MSU) is one of the top institutions for plant science and microbial ecology research. One position for a Research Associate is available with the Great Lakes Bioenergy Research Center. The successful applicant will join a collaborative team to execute research to understand the role of the switchgrass microbiome for plant productivity on marginal lands. Gregory Bonito (Plant, Soil and Microbial Sciences), Sarah Evans (Integrative Biology), and Ashley Shade (Microbiology and Molecular Genetics) will jointly advise the successful applicant. The applicant will work out of the Bonito lab. The position is for one year with a possibility of reappointment, contingent upon continued funding.
The Great Lakes Bioenergy Center consists of an interdisciplinary team of researchers that aim to produce the knowledge and technological advances needed to establish a sustainable lignocellulosic bioindustry. The center will address a set of interrelated knowledge gaps that currently limit the industrial scale production of bioenergy crops, and specialty biofuels and bioproducts, to create the knowledge needed to develop a new generation of sustainable lignocellulosic biorefineries. Switchgrass is a cellulosic bioenergy crop that is being tested for performance on non-arable (marginal) lands.
We seek an excellent postdoctoral researcher to conduct microbiome research to understand the drivers and consequences of switchgrass rhizosphere communities, and to coordinate plant, fungal and bacteria-based team research activities across investigators’ labs. Strong writing abilities, wet-lab skills for generating high quality RNA and DNA from plant and microbial tissues, and quantitative skills in bioinformatics and statistics are expected. Experience in conducting field work and/or greenhouse work with plant- or soil- associated microbiomes is required.
The postdoctoral researcher will be located on the Michigan State campus (East Lansing) but will frequently travel to execute collaborative projects at Michigan State’s Kellogg Biological Station (Hickory Corners) and present the center’s microbiome results at meetings.
Required Degree: Doctorate -Plant Soil or Microbial Sciences or related field
Minimum Requirements: The successful applicant will be independent and motivated and will hold a PhD in a field related to plant, soil, or microbial sciences, ecology, or bioinformatics/genomics. The successful candidate will have skills in microbiology and molecular laboratory techniques. Excellent organizational and communication skills are expected.
Desired Qualifications: Experience in managing, analyzing, and coordinating to collaborate using large, multi-project datasets will be viewed favorably, as well as skills in data science and experience in high-performance computing resources.
Please provide:
- a statement describing relevant skills, research accomplishments, and research interests (1 page maximum)
- a current CV
- one representative publication
- and contact information for three references
MSU Together-we-will Statement: The university is requiring all MSU students, faculty and staff to be vaccinated against COVID-19 with limited exceptions. Learn more at: https://msu.edu/together-we-will/
Application Instructions: Please provide a cover letter describing relevant skills, research accomplishments, and research interests (1 page maximum); a current CV; one representative publication; and contact information for three references. All applications must be submitted through the MSU Careers Website. To access this posting, please use this link: https://careers.msu.edu/en-us/job/509568/research-associatefixed-term to complete application, attach cover letter and resume, and provide contact information for your references.