Postdoctoral Scholar - Microbial Metabolomics Research
Position Overview
Organization: School of Oceanography
Title: Postdoctoral Scholar - Microbial Metabolomics Research
Position Details
Position Description
The Microbial Metabolomics Research Center in the School of Oceanography at the University of Washington seeks a postdoctoral researcher to conduct research related to a collaborative NSF project, “Resolving the production and fate of nitrogenous metabolites in the surface ocean,” that aims to further our understanding of how small molecules flow through marine microbial communities.
The successful candidate will carry out field studies and laboratory experiments to test the hypothesis that metabolites are quantitatively and qualitatively significant forms of carbon and nitrogen fueling microbial communities. The project has a specific focus on understanding the role of homarine in microbial communities. Homarine can be the most abundant metabolite in microbial communities, yet it has no annotated biosynthesis or catabolism genes. The aims of the research to be carried out include 1) Quantifying nitrogenous metabolite pools and their net production rates (particulate and dissolved) in phytoplankton cultures and in marine surface water communities; 2) Using stable isotope assisted untargeted metabolomics to characterize the biochemical reactions involved in the degradation of homarine; 3) Carrying out incubations of stable isotope labeled homarine in cultures and natural communities to quantitatively evaluate the effect of homarine on growth, track homarine through metabolic pathways, and determine the kinetics of homarine uptake; 4) Identify homarine consumers and biochemical pathways for homarine use in the environment by mining existing environmental metatranscriptomes for homarine catabolism genes.
The selected candidate will work within a collaborative group of chemists, molecular biologists, and microbial ecologists and will lead and participate in lab-based experiments as well as field work aboard regional (R.V. Rachel Carson) and global (e.g. R.V. Thompson) class research vessels. They will collaborate with and mentor graduate and undergraduate students.
Postdoctoral scholars are represented by UAW 4121 and are subject to the collective bargaining agreement, unless agreed exclusion criteria apply. For more information, please visit the University of Washington Labor Relations website.
The University of Washington, College of the Environment, and School of Oceanography are dedicated to the goal of building a culturally diverse and pluralistic faculty and staff committed to teaching and working in a multicultural, inclusive environment and strongly encourages applications from women, minorities, individuals with disabilities and covered veterans. The School of Oceanography is therefore seeking candidates whose experiences have prepared them to fulfill our commitment to inclusion. For more information on our commitment to building a culturally diverse workforce, please see: http://www.washington.edu/diversity/ and https://environment.uw.edu/about/diversity-commitment/.
The University of Washington (UW) is located in the greater Seattle metropolitan area, with a dynamic, multicultural community of 3.7 million people and a range of ecosystems from mountains to ocean. The UW serves a diverse population of 80,000 students, faculty and staff, including 25% first-generation college students, over 25% Pell Grant students, and faculty from over 70 countries. The UW is a recipient of a National Science Foundation ADVANCE Institutional Transformation Award to increase the advancement of women faculty in science, engineering, and math (see http://advance.washington.edu/).
Qualifications
A PhD in chemistry, biology, marine science or a related field is required as well as a strong background in one or more of the following areas: LC-MS based metabolomics or proteomics, microbial metabolism and interactions, marine microbial ecology, biochemistry, mass spectrometry, transcriptomics, cultivation of marine microbes, coding in R, statistical methods, and ship-based field work. This position is full-time (100% FTE), 12-months/year, with an initial term appointment of one year (12 months), with the possibility of renewal subject to satisfactory performance and availability of funding. Salary will be commensurate with experience and employee benefits will be provided.
Instructions
To apply, candidates will be asked to submit materials via Interfolio, including 1) a letter of interest describing your interest in the position and qualifications, 2) a curriculum-vitae including a list of publications, 3) A statement describing your research accomplishments and goals as well as your experience with collaborative research, mentoring, and broadening participation in science (no more than 2 pages) and 4) Name and contact information for 3 professional references.
PDF files are preferred. Candidates from groups historically underrepresented in Oceanography are strongly encouraged to apply. Applications submitted by September 15, 2021 will be given full consideration. Applications will be accepted until the position is filled. Questions can be directed to Dr. Anitra Ingalls (aingalls@uw.edu).
For questions about potential disability accommodation during the application process, please contact the UW's Disability Services Office at 206-543-6450, or 206-543-6452 (TTY), or dso@uw.edu.
Equal Employment Opportunity Statement
University of Washington is an affirmative action and equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, pregnancy, genetic information, gender identity or expression, age, disability, or protected veteran status.
Commitment to Diversity
The University of Washington is committed to building diversity among its faculty, librarian, staff, and student communities, and articulates that commitment in the UW Diversity Blueprint (http://www.washington.edu/diversity/diversity-blueprint/). Additionally, the University’s Faculty Code recognizes faculty efforts in research, teaching and/or service that address diversity and equal opportunity as important contributions to a faculty member’s academic profile and responsibilities (https://www.washington.edu/admin/rules/policies/FCG/FCCH24.html#2432).
Privacy Notice
Review the University of Washington Privacy Notice for Demographic Data of Job Applicants and University Personnel to learn how your demographic data are protected, when the data may be used, and your rights.
Disability Services
To request disability accommodation in the application process, contact the Disability Services Office at 206-543-6450 or dso@uw.edu.
COVID-19 Vaccine Requirements and Information
Under University of Washington (UW) Policy, University-compensated personnel must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and provide proof thereof, or receive a UW-approved medical or religious exemption. This requirement will be a condition of any offer associated with this recruitment. For more information, please visit https://www.washington.edu/coronavirus/vaccination-requirement/.