Postdoc (Iowa State University): Plant-Soil-Microbe Interactions in Sustainable Bioenergy

The Center for Advanced Bioenergy and Bioproducts Innovation (CABBI) at Iowa State University seeks a postdoctoral research associate to study plant-soil-microbe interactions in sustainable bioenergy systems. Responsibilities include conducting experiments, mentoring students, and collaborating with a research team. Candidates should have a Ph.D. in a related field and experience in soil metagenomics. The position is full-time and starts ideally by January 2, 2025.
A postdoctoral research associate position is available in Genomics and Environmental Research in Microbial Systems as part of the Sustainability Theme in the U.S. Department of Energy-funded Bioenergy Research Center (BRC), the Center for Advanced Bioenergy and Bioproducts Innovation (CABBI). The goal of the CABBI Sustainability Theme is to develop the predictive capability to determine which feedstock combinations, regions and land types, market conditions, and biofuels and bioproducts have the potential to support the ecologically and economically sustainable displacement of fossil fuels.

The postdoc is sought to support research on plant-soil-microbe interactions in bioenergy cropping systems (sorghum, sugarcane/energycane, and miscanthus) with regards to microbial interactions with sustainable feedstock development. This includes but is not limited to: investigating how highly productive perennial grasses alter deep soil carbon cycling; assessing how drought tolerance traits can reduce the carbon intensity of bioenergy crop production; and determining how oil-enhanced bioenergy crops alter soil carbon and nitrogen cycling. Job duties include designing and conducting field and laboratory experiments, developing and testing innovative methods to investigate plant-soil-microbe interactions, coordinating research activities with a large team of collaborators, mentoring graduate students, supervising undergraduates, writing manuscripts, and presenting at scientific conferences.

The postdoc work with Dr. Adina Howe and will collaborate with other researchers in the CABBI Sustainability, Feedstock Production, and Conversion Themes, including ecosystem modelers, microbial ecologists, and agronomists. The ideal candidate has creativity, independence, and the desire to learn new things. The start date is flexible, but ideally by January 2, 2025. The position is available on a year-to-year basis for up to two years, with annual renewal dependent on funding.

Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the U.S. on an on-going basis without sponsorship.

For further information about the position, please contact Dr. Adina Howe at adina@iastate.edu with subject line “CABBI Plant-Soil-Microbe postdoc application”.

Required Minimum Qualifications:
• Ph.D. or equivalent in microbiology, bioinformatics, ecology, biogeochemistry, soil science, or related field
• Experience with processing and analyzing soil metagenomes
• Experience with statistical analyses for metagenome datasets

Preferred Qualifications:
• Experience with large sequencing datasets
• Experience with bioinformatics and high performance computing
• Experience with laboratory and field research that demonstrates an ability to work in a collaborative environment.
• Strong organizational, writing, and oral communication skills as demonstrated by scholarly publications

Department Website: https://www.abe.iastate.edu/

Proposed Start Date: January 2, 2025

Proposed End Date or Length of Term: December 31, 2025

Number of Months Employed Per Year: 12 Month Work Period

Time Type: Full time

Application Instructions:

To apply for this position, please follow this link to the ISU job listing, click “Apply”, and complete the Employment Application. Please be prepared to enter or attach the following:
• Resume/Curriculum Vitae
• Letter of Application/Cover Letter