The Amend Lab at the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa is seeking a post-doctoral researcher to work on a National Science Foundation-funded study entitled “MIM: Using Machine Learning and a Model Watershed to Understand how Microbes Govern Food Web Architecture and Efficiency”. A synopsis of this project can be found below.
We are looking for applicants with expertise in one or more of the listed areas:
- Microbial comparative genomics, metagenomics and functional analyses of microbiomes
- Ecology of host-associated symbiotic systems
- Food web ecology
The researchers will help develop specific research questions, and experiments to understand how: 1) microbiome communities assemble among trophic levels within food webs, and 2) the mechanisms of how microbiomes impact food web efficiency and complexity. Researchers will make use of a tractable model food web microcosm/mesocosm system including microbial isolates, axenic invertebrate hosts, and will leverage genomic data to resolve microbial roles constraining transfer of energy among trophic levels.
Minimum qualifications include:
- A PhD in Biology, Ecology, Computer Science or a related scientific discipline.
- Research experience in one or more of the following fields: genomics, microbial ecology, food web ecology, microbiology, fungal biology.
- Evidence of scientific productivity in the form of peer-reviewed publications.
- Strong science writing and communication skills.
- Ability to work independently as well as a productive member of a team, including mentoring experience.
The postdoc will be expected to carry out a portion of the work outlined in the NSF-Rules of Life project, but will also have the option of developing studies within their specific areas of interest as they relate to microbiomes. This includes potential collaborations with the Center for Microbiome Analysis through Island Knowledge and Investigation (C-MĀIKI; https://www.c-maiki.org/), and collaboration with labs of the CoPIs: Nicole Hynson, Matthew Medeiros and Peter Sadowski. Pay is commensurate with experience (pursuant to NIH pay scale), start date is somewhat flexible, and appointment is initially for one year with the possibility to extend for an additional 1-2 years provided acceptable progress.
Please include in your cover letter a brief outline of your background relevant to the project and how you meet the minimum qualifications, and your experience analyzing microbial genomes and meta-genomes
Informal inquiries are welcomed at Amend@hawaii.edu).