Applications are solicited for a postdoctoral fellow position in Division of Biological and Environmental Science and Engineering at King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Saudi Arabia. The candidate will work as a member in Dr. Peiying Hong’s group (Environmental Microbial Safety and Biotechnology Lab). The research in this group is motivated by the need to address water scarcity through the use of treated wastewater. The group focuses on activities related to two main areas, namely microbial safety and anaerobic biotechnologies as a sustainable form of wastewater treatment.
Within the research pillar of microbial safety, the group performs extensive surveillance of different types of wastewater matrices (e.g. untreated wastewater, partially treated wastewater, reclaimed water). We use various molecular techniques (e.g. qPCR, amplicon-based sequencing, omics-based approaches) to determine the type of microbial contaminants that are present. We aim to understand their physiological responses due to various stressors/perturbation/engineered intervention strategies etc. We also look into extracellular DNA as a microbial-associated contaminant, and the extent by which new traits can arise due to natural transformation of these extracellular DNA.
Applicants should have a strong background in microbial molecular biology (e.g. omics-based approaches, qPCR, cloning), microbial ecology and aseptic cell cultivation. Familiarity in biostatistics is preferred. The candidate should have a Ph.D. in Environmental Science and Engineering or Bioscience or related field. The candidate should possess strong scientific analytical and logic thinking skills, demonstrate ability to generate innovative scientific questions, possess good communication skills in both written and oral English and can work collegially in a diverse team.
Postdoc compensation at KAUST is highly competitive globally. Health insurance, free housing and yearly round-trip air tickets to the home country of the postdoc are provided. The initial appointment will be for one year, with possibility of renewals for subsequent years. The position is available immediately until filled.
Interested persons should send an application letter that details their CV, research interests, names and contact information of at least 3 references to Dr. Peiying Hong (email: peiying.hong@kaust.edu.sa). Please note that only short-listed applicants will be contacted.