A POSTDOCTORAL POSITION in the microbial ecology of plant microbiomes is available in the laboratory of Prof. Joel Kostka (http://www.joelkostka.net) at the Georgia Institute of Technology. This project is funded by the National Science Foundation in collaboration with Oak Ridge National Laboratory. The postdoctoral fellow will be located in the School of Biological Sciences at Georgia Tech in Atlanta, GA, USA, and will investigate the molecular mechanisms that microbes use to acquire nitrogen (nitrogen fixation) and consume methane (methanotrophy) in association with plants in freshwater wetlands or peatlands. Plant microbiomes are relatively understudied and have applications to agricultural research and natural products development. Expertise in any of these areas is desirable: metagenomics and/or metatranscriptomics, bioinformatics, stable isotope probing, field ecology and biogeochemistry, cultivation of environmental microbes. Thus, a Ph.D. with research experience in microbiology/ molecular biology, biogeochemistry, ecology, plant biology or a related field is expected.
The Georgia Institute of Technology is one of the world’s premier research universities distinguished by its commitment to improving the human condition through advanced science and technology. The campus occupies 400 acres in the heart of Atlanta, where students receive a rigorous education to prepare them as leaders in influencing the technological, social, and policy decisions that address global grand challenges.
The position is available immediately and will be initially offered for one year with the possibility of renewal dependent upon successful progress in research. The salary is competitive and commensurate with experience. Interested individuals should send a CV, a letter describing career goals, and the names and email addresses of 3 references to Joel Kostka by e-mail: [email protected]