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• CURRENT PENN STATE STUDENT (not employed previously at the university) and seeking employment with Penn State, please login to Workday to complete the student application process. Please do not apply here, apply internally through Workday.

• If you are NOT a current employee or student, please click “Apply” and complete the application process for external applicants.

 

Approval of remote and hybrid work is not guaranteed regardless of work location. For additional information on remote work at Penn State, see Notice to Out of State Applicants.

This is a term position; length of the term will be discussed during the interview process. Continuation past the term length discussed will be based on university need, performance, and/or availability of funding.

 

POSITION SPECIFICS

The Bletz Lab  and Becker Lab at The Pennsylvania State University are seeking a Postdoctoral Scholar researcher to support research associated with an NSF-funded project. This project focuses on how disruptions in habitat connectivity affect microbial communities that live on amphibians, exploring the deterministic and stochastic processes at play for microbiome assembly.

The postdoctoral scholar researcher will contribute by: leading and supporting experimental research, processing and analyzing omics data, writing manuscripts, mentoring students, and assisting with lab management activities. The scope of the position will be tailored to the expertise of the successful applicant and complement the lab’s broad interests in amphibian disease, microbiomes, and host immunity.

Duties:

• work closely with both PIs and students (grad and undergrad) to lead research associated with the PCE grant

• provide mentorship to graduate student(s) on projects and in the lab.

• contribute to lab management activities

• contribute to and/or lead animal experiments

•  perform molecular techniques including, DNA extractions, PCR, qPCR for pathogen diagnostics, 16S rRNA library prep, and other methods of high-throughput sequencing.

• prepare, process, and analyze amplicon sequencing and metagenomic data.

• compile, manage, and analyze datasets with appropriate statistical methods including univariate and multivariate methods.

• lead preparation and publication of peer-reviewed manuscripts.

• present research findings at conferences.

Eligibility:  PhD in ecology, biology, microbiology, or other related field.   Applicants are required to have a Ph.D. or equivalent doctorate in an appropriate field and be able to provide evidence that all requirements have been met for completion of the Ph.D. prior to date of hire.

Preferred Qualities: The information listed below is meant to capture the breadth of skills that would help applicants succeed in this position; however, We do not expect individual applicants to possess all of these skills.

• a background in or interest in microbial ecology, amphibian disease, conservation, and omics approaches

• collaborative mindset and attitude

• strong organization and time management skills

• enjoyment in both independent and collaborative work 

• interest in preparing scientific publications

• ability to design and execute experimental studies, including pathogen exposure experiments

• experience with molecular techniques, analyzing barcoded amplicon sequencing and/or metagenomic data, and with culturing microorganisms

• experience with statistical modeling (general linear models, network analysis, etc.), R and/or other programming languages, and bioinformatics and modeling approaches for microbiome datasets

• experience or interest in supervising students

Location: This position will be located at The Pennsylvania State University at University Park with the potential for hybrid work where time is split between locations.

Application: Interested applicants should submit a cover letter and a curriculum vitae. Please list contact information for three professional references at the end of your CV. Applications should be submitted to REQ_0000071739 at https://hr.psu.edu/careers.

The cover letter should be 1 page describing:

• research interests and background

• why you are interested in this position and your career goals

• availability for starting this position

• experience and/or enthusiasm for learning about the dimensions outlined in the position description and preferred qualities

Salary/Benefits The position salary will be commensurate with the applicant’s experience and includes benefits.

Application Deadline: accepting applications until the position is filled. Review will begin immediately.

Position StartDate: flexible, ideally Fall 2025       
 

 

BACKGROUND CHECKS/CLEARANCES

Employment with the University will require successful completion of background check(s) in accordance with University policies.

 

 

 

BENEFITS

Penn State provides a competitive benefits package for full-time employees designed to support both personal and professional well-being.

 

For more detailed information, please visit our Benefits Page.

 

CAMPUS SECURITY CRIME STATISTICS

Pursuant to the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act and the Pennsylvania Act of 1988, Penn State publishes a combined Annual Security and Annual Fire Safety Report (ASR). The ASR includes crime statistics and institutional policies concerning campus security, such as those concerning alcohol and drug use, crime prevention, the reporting of crimes, sexual assault, and other matters. The ASR is available for review here.

The Pennsylvania State University is committed to and accountable for advancing equity, respect, and belonging. We embrace individual uniqueness, as well as a culture of belonging that supports equity initiatives, leverages the educational and institutional benefits of inclusion in society, and provides opportunities for engagement intended to help all members of the community thrive. We value belonging as a core strength and an essential element of the university’s teaching, research, and service mission.

 

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