Post-doctoral position: linking plant traits, microbial communities, and climate change in peatland ecosystems.
A post-doctoral position is available for a qualified individual to study response of structure and function of microbial communities in peatland ecosystems to climate change at Michigan Technological University, in collaboration with the US Forest Service Northern Research Station and Indiana University. Full support is available for two years support for a post-doc to work on two projects: 1) the PEATcosm experiment and 2) a hemispheric-scale analysis of peatland microbial and fungal communities. The PEATcosm experiment conducted at the USFS mesocosm facility<http://nrs.fs.fed.us/clean_air_water/local-resources/downloads/peatcosm_information.pdf> (http://goo.gl/koFpE) is an NSF- funded experiment in which we are examining climate change and plant community effects on peatland bacterial and fungal communities and carbon cycling. We have also received Community Sequencing Program support from the Joint Genome Institute for an extensive study of peatland microbial and fungal community structure at sites across the globe involved in carbon cycling/trace gas flux studies. This opportunity for integrative research at both the experimental and global scale will be an excellent opportunity to focus on macro- and micro-scales of microbe-ecosystem interactions. Highly qualified candidates will have experience with next-generation sequencing of microbial communities; competency in quantitative methods, including multivariate statistics and bioinformatics; an interest in field-based experiments; and a strong background in microbial ecology, ecosystems ecology, peatland ecology, or a related field. The candidate would be based primarily at Michigan Tech in the Lilleskov Lab (nrs.fs.fed.us/people/lilleskov). Depending on interest, there is an opportunity to spend time in the Lennon Lab at Indiana University (indiana.edu/~microbes/). The candidate would work in collaboration with other investigators on the PEATcosm project and related peatland research at Michigan Tech (with PIs Erik Lilleskov, Evan Kane, Rod Chimner, Tom Pypker), co-PI Jay Lennon at Indiana University, and collaborators from the global project (Mark Waldrop, Chris Schadt, Nathan Basiliko, Randy Kolka, Merritt Turetsky, Susannah Tringe, Dan McLaughlin, Eeva-Stiina Tuittila, Carl Trettin, Ruth Varner, Tim Moore, and others). Michigan Tech is located on Michigan's Keweenaw Peninsula on the south shore of Lake Superior, a region dominated by vast areas of lakes, forests and wetlands. Michigan Tech is in the small university town of Houghton, MI, which was rated as one of the top 10 U.S. adrenaline outposts by National Geographic Adventure Magazine<http://www.nationalgeographic.com/adventure/0107/trips_5.html>, boasting excellent skiing, hiking, kayaking and mountain biking. Indiana University is located in Bloomington, a city of approximately of 80,000 people. The city and region has excellent outdoor (biking, hiking, caving) and cultural (restaurants, music, entertainment) opportunities. Consideration of applications begins immediately and will continue until the position is filled. Start date is as soon as possible, but no later than June 2013. Please send a cover letter that states your research interests, your curriculum vitae, the names and contact information for three references, and any other relevant materials, by email to Erik Lilleskov ([email protected]<mailto:[email protected]>) and Jay Lennon ([email protected]<mailto:[email protected]>). Erik Lilleskov Research Ecologist & Director's Representative US Forest Service, Northern Research Station 410 MacInnes Dr. Houghton, MI 49931 USA Tel: 906-482-6303 ext 22 Mobile: 906-203-6262 Fax: 906-482-6355 Email: [email protected]<mailto:[email protected]> Website: http://nrs.fs.fed.us/people/lilleskov This electronic message contains information generated by the USDA solely for the intended recipients. Any unauthorized interception of this message or the use or disclosure of the information it contains may violate the law and subject the violator to civil or criminal penalties. If you believe you have received this message in error, please notify the sender and delete the email immediately.
