Position Function:
The Northern Gulf Institute at Mississippi State University is hiring a Postdoctoral Associate to help lead a global plankton biodiversity monitoring effort. This position is based at NOAA's Atlantic Oceanographic and Meteorological Laboratory (AOML) in Miami, Florida. This postdoc position will provide substantial opportunities for seagoing field work, molecular biology laboratory work, and bioinformatics computational work. Some experience in each of these areas is expected, but ample learning opportunities for growth and development will be provided. The successful applicant will investigate patterns of global plankton/eDNA biodiversity in sustained monitoring efforts Bio-GO-SHIP and the Marine Biodiversity Observation Network (MBON).
Salary Grade: UC
Please see Staff Compensation Structure or Skilled Crafts and Service Maintenance Compensation Schedule for salary ranges. For salary grade UC, these positions are "Unclassified" and salary ranges are determined by the hiring department.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
• Collect filtered water samples on global cruises aboard NOAA and partner ships;
• Process eDNA filters in the AOML omcis lab: DNA extraction, PCR, and library prep;
• Analyze metabarcoding and metagenomic data using HPC resources at NGI and AOML;
• Develop models of global microbe and plankton biodiversity; and
• Manage data in collaboration with the AOML omics data manager.
Minimum Qualifications:
• a Ph.D. in marine science, bioinformatics, genomics, molecular biology, microbiology, systems biology, or a related field;
• field experience on ocean-going research vessels and ability to navigate stairs and lift objects up to 50 pounds;
• molecular biology experience, including DNA extraction, PCR, and gel electrophoresis;
• bioinformatics experience, including DNA sequence analysis, data science programming (e.g., Python, R), the Unix command line, computational workflows, and statistics;
• a strong publication record; and
• strong written and oral communication skills.
ABDs or degree pending considered (all but DISS):
No
Working Conditions and Physical Effort
Ability to navigate stairs and lift objects up to 50 pounds.
Instructions for Applying:
Link to apply: http://explore.msujobs.msstate.edu/
Apply online with a resume, cover letter, and a copy of your transcripts. Any social security numbers included on requested transcripts should be redacted prior to submitting online.
Restricted Clause:
Position is contingent upon continued availability of funding.
Equal Employment Opportunity Statement:
MSU is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, ethnicity, sex, religion, national origin, disability, age, sexual orientation, genetic information, pregnancy, gender identity, status as a U.S. veteran, and/or any other status protected by applicable law. We always welcome nominations and applications from women, members of any minority group, and others who share our passion for building a diverse community that reflects the diversity in our student population.
What do I do if I need an accommodation?
In compliance with the ADA Amendments Act (ADAAA), if you have a disability and would like to request an accommodation in order to apply for a position with Mississippi State University, please contact the Department of Human Resources Management at tel: (662) 325-3713 or ada@hrm.msstate.edu.
If you have any questions regarding this policy, contact the Department of Human Resources Management at (662) 325-3713 or ada@hrm.msstate.edu. Upon request, sections of this job listing are available in large print, and readers are available to assist the visually impaired.
