Post-Doctoral Research Associate: Freshwater Microbial Ecology - UTK

University of Tennessee • Knoxville, TN

7d • $62,500 - $65,000 • Onsite

About The Position

The Wilhelm and Talmy research groups in the Department of Microbiology at the University of Tennessee invites applications for a Postdoctoral Research Fellow to join an interdisciplinary project examining how episodic events shape competition, oxidative stress responses, and toxin production in the bloom-forming cyanobacterium Microcystis. The successful candidate will contribute to controlled chemostat experiments, mesocosm studies, molecular and physiological analyses, and integration of laboratory results with predictive modeling. The project focuses on mechanisms linking short-term temperature fluctuations, oxidative stress, strain succession, and microcystin production in Lake Erie and related freshwater systems. The project also addresses the role of nutrient elements in selection for Microcystis. The postdoctoral fellow will work closely with a team spanning microbiology, physiology, field ecology, and modeling, and will have opportunities to mentor students, publish high-impact research, and participate in field activities in the Great Lakes region.

Requirements

• Ph.D. in microbiology, aquatic ecology, environmental science, biological oceanography, or a related field
• Strong publication record
• Excellent communication skills
• Interest in collaborative, cross-disciplinary research

Nice To Haves

• Experience in cyanobacterial culture
• Experience in experimental design
• Experience in flow cytometry
• Experience in qPCR/transcriptomics
• Experience in physiological measurements
• Experience in environmental data analysis
• Experience in quantitative/modeling approaches

Responsibilities

• Contribute to controlled chemostat experiments
• Conduct mesocosm studies
• Perform molecular and physiological analyses
• Integrate laboratory results with predictive modeling
• Mentor students
• Publish high-impact research
• Participate in field activities in the Great Lakes region

Benefits

• Career development and coaching
• Continued education
• Extensive list of development and training possibilities

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree