Postdoctoral Researcher

Application link: https://hofstra.peopleadmin.com/postings/4504  

Deadline: November 29, 2024

Start date: May 2025, with some flexibility

Reporting to Dr. Luciana Santoferrara, Associate Professor of Biology, the Postdoctoral Fellow will participate in an NSF-funded project that focuses on structure and function of microbial communities under hypoxia in estuarine waters. The postdoc should have a background in microbial ecology and strong skills in bioinformatics. Primary responsibilities include participating in field and laboratory work, conducting bioinformatic analyses of shotgun metagenomes, and leading associated publications. The postdoc will also collaborate in co-mentoring junior scientists, including undergraduate and graduate students, and in providing an inclusive environment for all team members. The target starting date is May 2025, with some flexibility.

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Conducts sampling in Long Island Sound, either independently or in a team.
• Collaborates in the design and execution of experiments involving field samples, incubations, cell quantification, and basic molecular biology (DNA extraction, PCR).
• Leads bioinformatic analyses of shotgun metagenomes.
• Collects and maintains records of all raw and processed data, as well as lab protocols and computational scripts.
• Presents results at conferences and in peer-reviewed publications.
• Assists in overseeing students and general laboratory maintenance.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Required qualifications:

• PhD in Biology, Microbial Ecology, Biological Oceanography, or related field.
• Interest in research that blends field work and bioinformatics. 
• Aptitude to conduct observational and experimental field work.
• Strong computational skills, with proficiency in bioinformatic analysis of microbial (prokaryotic and/or eukaryotic) populations or communities.
• Drive to lead publications and co-mentor undergraduate and graduate students.
• Fluent in written and spoken English. 
• Valid driver’s license for travel to research locations.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Published record in bioinformatic analysis of shotgun metagenomes.
• Experience in flow cytometry for cell quantification.
• Experience in field sampling and/or experimentation (e.g., phyto- and/or bacterioplankton mortality experiments).
• Experience working with undergraduate research assistants.

For full consideration, please upload a cover letter, CV, and the contact information of three references by November 29, 2024 using this link: https://hofstra.peopleadmin.com/postings/4504