A postdoctoral researcher position is available in Dr. Bryndan Durham’s laboratory at the University of Florida in Gainesville, FL. Research in the Durham Lab (https://www.durham-lab.com) focuses on the chemical ecology of marine microbes. In particular, we study metabolic interactions between phytoplankton and heterotrophic bacteria in the surface ocean. We use a combination of techniques and tools, e.g., genomics, transcriptomics, metabolomics, genetics, and biochemistry, to examine microbial interactions both in lab cultures and in field populations. The postdoctoral researcher will have flexibility on the specific project(s) and research direction(s) to take in the lab, though the position will require bioinformatics/computational analyses of 'omics data and some collaborative team-based work though analysis of field data. The Durham Lab is part of the UF Biology Department and the UF Genetics Institute, both of which provide friendly and collegial environments. The postdoctoral researcher will join a collaborative group and work with others who possess knowledge in microbiology, ecology, mass spectrometry, genetics, and bioinformatics. While the postdoctoral researcher will work on some projects overseen by Dr. Durham, there will be opportunities to develop independent projects with his/her/their own intellectual and creative contributions. The postdoctoral researcher will also have access to training programs and professional development opportunities. These include, but are not limited to, attending training workshops, mentoring undergraduate and graduate students, presenting research at conferences, and writing grants.
Prospective candidates should send a cover letter describing their background and interests, contact information for three references, and a CV to Dr. Durham (b.durham@ufl.edu). Review of applications will continue until the position is filled. The start date is flexible, but ideally the successful candidate would begin by January 2023.
Qualifications: Fundamental requirements include:
⦁ A PhD degree in Microbiology, Marine Sciences, Chemistry, or related field
⦁ Strong work ethic and self-motivation
⦁ Excellent communication and teamwork skills
⦁ Excellent English writing and speaking ability
⦁ Ability to manage multiple projects
⦁ Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail
⦁ Commitment to DEI and collaborating with diverse teams of scientists
⦁ Demonstrated scientific writing skills, primarily through publication record
Additional skillsets of interest:
⦁ Programming experience, e.g., R, Python
⦁ Metabolic modeling of microbes
⦁ Math and statistics expertise
⦁ Bioinformatics knowledge
⦁ Biogeochemistry analyses, e.g, radio/stable-isotope work, productivity measurements, organic matter/nutrient analyses
About the University: The University of Florida is ranked #5 in top public universities in the United States. Research in the biological sciences at the University of Florida is conducted by faculty in many departments, across several Colleges and Institutes, providing a rich intellectual environment and extensive opportunities for collaboration. The Biology Department interacts closely with the Whitney Laboratory for Marine Biosciences (www.whitney.ufl.edu), the Genetics Institute (ufgi.ufl.edu), the Florida Museum of Natural History (www.floridamuseum.ufl.edu), the Interdisciplinary Center for Biotechnology Research (www.biotech.ufl.edu), the High Performance Research Computer Cluster (HiPerGator, www.rc.ufl.edu), the Nature Coast Biological Station (https://ncbs.ifas.ufl.edu), the Southeast Center for Integrated Metabolomics (http://secim.ufl.edu), the UF Biodiversity Institute (https://biodiversity.institute.ufl.edu), the UF Informatics Institute (informatics.institute.ufl.edu), the Water Institute (waterinstitute.ufl.edu), and the Plant Molecular and Cellular Biology Program (pmcb.ifas.ufl.edu). The University of Florida counts among its greatest strengths – and a major component of its excellence – that it values broad diversity in its faculty, students, and staff and creates a robust, inclusive, and welcoming climate for learning and research.
About Gainesville: Gainesville is a progressive city located in North Central Florida with a population of about 132,000. Due to the presence of the University of Florida and Santa Fe College, the city offers a great number of activities combining the best aspects of a metropolitan city with the hospitality of a college town. Gainesville affords access to numerous restaurants, microbreweries, and entertainment opportunities (museums, theatre, music, sports). Gainesville is home to the critically acclaimed Hippodrome Theater, the Curtis M. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts, the Harn Museum of Art, and the Florida Museum of Natural History. Gainesville is also the perfect spot for individuals who enjoy the outdoors. The city maintains 27 parks and it is located within 50 miles of more than 40 nature settings. These settings offer a combination of camping, hiking, swimming, picnicking, boating, and fishing. Several of these areas include some of the clearest springs in the nation, providing excellent snorkeling, scuba diving and world-class cave diving. Cost of living is very affordable in Gainesville, and the weather is usually sunny year-round.
Prospective candidates should send a cover letter describing their background and interests, contact information for three references, and a CV to Dr. Durham (b.durham@ufl.edu). Review of applications will continue until the position is filled. The start date is flexible, but ideally the successful candidate would begin by January 2023.
Qualifications: Fundamental requirements include:
⦁ A PhD degree in Microbiology, Marine Sciences, Chemistry, or related field
⦁ Strong work ethic and self-motivation
⦁ Excellent communication and teamwork skills
⦁ Excellent English writing and speaking ability
⦁ Ability to manage multiple projects
⦁ Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail
⦁ Commitment to DEI and collaborating with diverse teams of scientists
⦁ Demonstrated scientific writing skills, primarily through publication record
Additional skillsets of interest:
⦁ Programming experience, e.g., R, Python
⦁ Metabolic modeling of microbes
⦁ Math and statistics expertise
⦁ Bioinformatics knowledge
⦁ Biogeochemistry analyses, e.g, radio/stable-isotope work, productivity measurements, organic matter/nutrient analyses
About the University: The University of Florida is ranked #5 in top public universities in the United States. Research in the biological sciences at the University of Florida is conducted by faculty in many departments, across several Colleges and Institutes, providing a rich intellectual environment and extensive opportunities for collaboration. The Biology Department interacts closely with the Whitney Laboratory for Marine Biosciences (www.whitney.ufl.edu), the Genetics Institute (ufgi.ufl.edu), the Florida Museum of Natural History (www.floridamuseum.ufl.edu), the Interdisciplinary Center for Biotechnology Research (www.biotech.ufl.edu), the High Performance Research Computer Cluster (HiPerGator, www.rc.ufl.edu), the Nature Coast Biological Station (https://ncbs.ifas.ufl.edu), the Southeast Center for Integrated Metabolomics (http://secim.ufl.edu), the UF Biodiversity Institute (https://biodiversity.institute.ufl.edu), the UF Informatics Institute (informatics.institute.ufl.edu), the Water Institute (waterinstitute.ufl.edu), and the Plant Molecular and Cellular Biology Program (pmcb.ifas.ufl.edu). The University of Florida counts among its greatest strengths – and a major component of its excellence – that it values broad diversity in its faculty, students, and staff and creates a robust, inclusive, and welcoming climate for learning and research.
About Gainesville: Gainesville is a progressive city located in North Central Florida with a population of about 132,000. Due to the presence of the University of Florida and Santa Fe College, the city offers a great number of activities combining the best aspects of a metropolitan city with the hospitality of a college town. Gainesville affords access to numerous restaurants, microbreweries, and entertainment opportunities (museums, theatre, music, sports). Gainesville is home to the critically acclaimed Hippodrome Theater, the Curtis M. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts, the Harn Museum of Art, and the Florida Museum of Natural History. Gainesville is also the perfect spot for individuals who enjoy the outdoors. The city maintains 27 parks and it is located within 50 miles of more than 40 nature settings. These settings offer a combination of camping, hiking, swimming, picnicking, boating, and fishing. Several of these areas include some of the clearest springs in the nation, providing excellent snorkeling, scuba diving and world-class cave diving. Cost of living is very affordable in Gainesville, and the weather is usually sunny year-round.
