A Postdoctoral Scientist position is available to advance the study of “agnostic” biosignatures in support of NASA’s search for life beyond Earth. This two-year position will be based at Boston University’s Department of Biology in the laboratory of Dr. Jeffrey Marlow.
In this role, you will test whether the spatial arrangements of abiotic factors measured on the microscale can serve as reliable predictors of habitability and biological activity. You will determine if the complexity of different minerals, specific elemental abundances, or the energy available for metabolism determine microbial community viability and structure. You will test these ideas at two astrobiology field sites: The Cedars serpentinization springs in California (which capture key aspects of Ocean Worlds and deposits in Jezero Crater, Mars), and the Basque Lakes of British Columbia, Canada (which mimic Gale Crater’s lake deposits). You will lead independent research projects, present relevant findings at conferences, publish results in peer-reviewed journals, and work with other members of the Marlow Lab and groups at Goddard Space Flight Center, Johnson Space Center, and the University of Southern California.
The ideal candidate will have a strong background in the geosciences and environmental microbiology. In particular, we seek expertise in some of the following techniques and sub-disciplines: microbe-mineral interactions, microbial energetics, bioinformatics, confocal microscopy, Raman spectroscopy, and fluorescence in situ hybridization. A robust publication record, an ability to work both independently and collaboratively, and a demonstrated commitment of expanding diversity, equity, and inclusion in the sciences are all highly desirable.
Applications will be considered on a rolling basis, but those received by December 21st will receive full consideration. We strongly encourage applicants from all backgrounds, as we are eager to promote underrepresented groups in astrobiology and STEM fields more broadly. A PhD in a related field is required at the time of appointment; the anticipated start date is February or March, 2023.
Interested? To apply, please send the following materials to jjmarlow@bu.edu:
- A CV, including a list of peer-reviewed publications.
- A two-page statement describing the ways in which your past research aligns with the topics and methods described above. Please also highlight your future research / career objectives and specific outreach and inclusion work you might like to pursue at BU.
- The names and contact information for three references.
Please get in touch with any questions, though we apologize in advance that we may not be able to respond to all inquiries.