Overview The National Ecological Observatory Network (NEON) is a $430 million dollar observatory project dedicated to understanding how changes in climate, land use and invasive species impact ecology. For the next three decades NEON will collect a comprehensive range of ecological data on a continental scale across 20 eco-climatic domains representing US ecosystems. NEON will use cutting edge technology including an airborne observation platform that will capture images of regional landscapes and vegetation; mobile, relocatable, and fixed data collection sites with automated ground sensors to monitor soil and atmosphere; and trained field crews who will observe and sample populations of diverse organisms and collect soil and water data. A leading edge cyberinfrastructure will calibrate, store and publish this information. The Observatory will grow to 300+ personnel and will be the first of its kind designed to detect and enable forecasting of ecological change at continental scales.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities: • Coordinate and oversee prototype study for soil microbial diversity and community structure at candidate NEON sites, including methods for field sampling and outsourcing of lab analyses. • Coordinate outsourced lab selection and oversee contracts • Work with collaborating laboratories on processing and synthesizing data from quantitative PCR and 16S and 18S rRNA analyses • Work with collaborators to develop standardized protocols for lab analyses and bioinformatics for 16S and 18S rRNA and functional gene sequence data, and participate in development of protocols for metagenomic analyses. Using results from the prototype, help re-design the NEON soil microbial sampling protocols and design for data analysis. • Develop and oversee high level and site-specific sampling designs to track abundance, diversity, and function of microbes in soil at NEON sampling locations • Develop QA/QC protocols for field sampling and data processing • Oversee outsourced facility selection, manage facility contracts, and oversee changes to the NEON design with the evolution of analyses used on NEON samples • Work with NEON scientists to develop useful data products and analyses for the NEON genetic data. • Work with NEON scientists to develop appropriate ways to maintain data and formats for public data access. • Coordinate information sharing with relevant communities Education: • PhD in microbiology, genetics, evolution, or related field Required Experience: • Significant, documented research experience using molecular ecological methods and appropriate computational/bioinformatics methods • Specific knowledge in microbial ecology, specifically with soil ecosystems • 5 years experience or familiarity with planning surveillance schemes, analyzing data and refining approach based on results. Preferred Experience: • Familiarity with bioinformatics for metagenomic analyses • Experience analyzing large scale datasets Skills and Abilities: • Experience working in a collaborative scientific enterprise • Scientific writing and review • Ability to work independently, but as part of an active science team • Strong communication and interpersonal skills • Undertake responsibilities beyond those associated with individual research projects Physical Abilities: • The candidate may be exposed to conditions in the field, and therefore must be able to traverse uneven ground such as dirt banks, stream beds, and shallow ponds carrying equipment and materials up to 40 lbs. Candidate must be able to travel to field sites as needed. Apply to: www.neoninc.org NEON Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Women, Minorities, Veterans and Disabled Persons are encouraged to apply.
