The Smith Research Group (https://www.smithresearchusc.com/) at the University of Southern California is recruiting a postdoctoral scholar focused on investigating greenhouse gas consumption by bacteria and archaea. The research will involve designing and operating bench-scale bioreactors for enrichment and culturing of isolated microorganisms from mixed communities. Characterization will involve analytical chemistry, molecular biology, and bioinformatics. The research project is a collaboration with Profs. Jan Amend and Cameron Trash in Biological Sciences at USC Dornsife.
Qualifications for the positions include:
• A Ph.D. in environmental engineering or a related discipline
• Experience constructing and operating bench-scale bioreactors
• Comprehensive understanding of microbial metabolisms related to methane and nitrous oxide
• Experience culturing microorganisms in aerobic and anaerobic environments
• Experience with molecular biology tools (e.g., nucleic acid extraction, qPCR, amplicon sequencing, metagenomics) and associated bioinformatics tools
• Excellent written and oral communication skills
The position is available immediately and is funded for up to 36 months. To apply, please send an email with a cover letter and your CV to Dr. Adam Smith (smithada@usc.edu). We strongly encourage applications from AHN candidates.
The USC Viterbi School of Engineering is committed to enabling the success of dual career families and fosters a family-friendly environment. USC is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, disability, or any other characteristic protected by law or USC policy. USC will consider for employment all qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with the requirements of the Los Angeles Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring ordinance.