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Postdoctoral Scholar-Fixed Term

Michigan State University

East Lansing, MIFull-timeNo compensation foundPosted 3mo agoSeen in employer's feed 4 days ago
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At a glance

Compensation
No compensation found
Location
East Lansing, MI
Role Type
Research
Schedule
Full-time
Work Authorization
Not specified

Requirements

Credentials this posting asks for.

Doctorate

Job overview

Michigan State University is hiring a Postdoctoral Scholar-Fixed Term. Michigan State University seeks a highly motivated Postdoctoral Research Scholar to support a USDA-NIFA and MSU funded project. This role involves investigating how crop bacteriomes determine plant growth traits, nitrogen fixation, and yield. The position is a 12-month, full-time research appointment, renewable annually based on performance and funding.

Key focus areas include Contribute to all major components of the funded projects, Lead in Lab, including personnel and equipment, and Perform microbiome sequencing (16S/ITS), genomics, shotgun metagenomics, and transcriptomics.

Successful candidates bring Doctorate In Microbiology, PhD In Microbiology, and Experience In Microbiome Sequencing. Important skills include Microbiome Sequencing, Plant-Microbe Interaction, Hypothesis-Driven Research, Peer-Reviewed Publication, Communication, and Organizational Skills. Preferred (not required): Multivariate Ecological Statistics, Machine Learning, GWA, and Field Research In Agronomy.

Skills & qualifications

RequiredNice to have

Skills

Microbiome SequencingPlant-Microbe InteractionHypothesis-Driven ResearchPeer-Reviewed PublicationCommunicationOrganizational SkillsMultivariate Ecological StatisticsMachine LearningGWAField Research in AgronomyEnvironmental MicrobiologyGnotobiotic ExperimentsControlled Inoculation ExperimentsBradyrhizobium BiologyPseudomonas BiologyGreenhouse ResearchGenomicsShotgun MetagenomicsTranscriptomicsMultivariate ModelingStatistical ModelingBacteriome GWASManuscript PreparationPublic SpeakingMentoring StudentsSample Processing

Qualifications

Doctorate in MicrobiologyDoctorate in Microbial EcologyDoctorate in Soil ScienceDoctorate in Environmental ScienceDoctorate in Plant BiologyDoctorate in Molecular BiologyDoctorate in BioinformaticsDoctorate in a Related DisciplinePhD in MicrobiologyPhD in Microbial EcologyPhD in Soil SciencePhD in Environmental Science

Full job description

Position Summary

Michigan State University's Department of Plant, Soil and Microbial Sciences seeks a highly motivated Post-doctoral Research Scholar to support a USDA-NIFA and MSU funded project investigating how crop bacteriomes determine plant growth traits, nitrogen fixation, and yield. This is a12-month, full-time research appointment, renewable annually based on performance and funding.

Duties and Responsibilities:

The Postdoctoral Research Scholar will contribute to all major components of the funded projects, including but not limited to:

  • Field and greenhouse research across diverse environments

  • Leadership in Lab, including personnel and equipment

  • Microbiome sequencing (16S/ITS), genomics, shotgun metagenomics, and transcriptomics Multivariate and statistical modeling of bacteriome–trait relationships; Bacteriome GWAS

  • Manuscripts, presentations, and mentoring students

  • Coordinating sample processing of soil, leaf, stem nodule, seed, and root-zone microbiomes

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, citizenship, age, disability or protected veteran status.

Required Degree

Doctorate -Microbiology, microbial ecology, soil science, environmental science, plant biology, molecular biology, bioinformatics, or a related discipline

Minimum Requirements

PhD. in Microbiology, microbial ecology, soil science, environmental science, plant biology, molecular biology, bioinformatics, or a related discipline

  • Experience in microbiome sequencing or plant–microbeinteraction

  • Evidence of hypothesis-driven research and peer-reviewed publication

  • Strong communication and organizational skills

Desired Qualifications

  • Experience with multivariate ecological statistics or machine learning and GWA

  • Experience with Field research in agronomy or environmental microbiology

  • Experience with gnotobiotic or controlled inoculation experiments

  • Familiarity with Bradyrhizobium or Pseudomonas biology

Required Application Materials

  • Cover Letter

  • CV/Resume

  • Name and contact information for 3 (Three) Professional References

  • Brief Research Statement

Special Instructions

Contact Dr. Mark Williams ([email protected]) for inquires on position

Review of Applications Begins On

05/27/2026

Website

https://www.canr.msu.edu/psm/

MSU Statement

Michigan State University has been advancing the common good with uncommon will for more than 160 years. One of the top research universities in the world, MSU pushes the boundaries of discovery and forges enduring partnerships to solve the most pressing global challenges while providing life-changing opportunities to a diverse and inclusive academic community through more than 200 programs of study in 17 degree-granting colleges.

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