[ES_JOBS_NET] Postdoc opportunity for microbial modeling at Oak Ridge National Laboratory

[Junyi Liang]

Dear all,
Apologies for cross-posting. Sharing an exciting opportunity for microbial
modeling at Oak Ridge National Laboratory.


*Postdoctoral Research Associate - Microbial Modeling*

Req # 11672

External Link to Apply <https://jobs.ornl.gov/job-invite/11672/>


Postdoctoral Research Associate - Microbial Modeling

Apply now »
<https://jobs.ornl.gov/talentcommunity/apply/1077092200/?locale=en_US>

*Date: *Sep 18, 2023

*Location:* Oak Ridge, TN, US, 37830

*Company: *Oak Ridge National Laboratory

Requisition Id 11672

*Overview: *

As a U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Science national laboratory,
ORNL has an extraordinary 80-year history of solving the nation’s biggest
problems. We have a dedicated and creative staff of over 6,000 people! Our
vision for diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEIA) is to
cultivate an environment and practices that foster diversity in ideas and
in the people across the organization, as well as to ensure ORNL is
recognized as a workplace of choice. These elements are critical for
enabling the execution of ORNL’s broader mission to accelerate scientific
discoveries and their translation into energy, environment, and security
solutions for the nation.



We are seeking a Postdoctoral Research Associate who will support the
Biogeochemical Dynamics Group within the Biological and Environmental
Systems Sciences Directorate (BESSD) at Oak Ridge National Laboratory
(ORNL). We seek an applicant with a deep passion for investigating
microbial activities in soils, and a penchant for modeling complex
processes.



Soil microbial necromass is now believed to be selectively preserved in
soil organic matter, contributing strongly to long-term carbon storage.
Decomposition pathways and the extent of preservation are determined by
interactions between compound chemistry, microbial community composition,
soil mineral reactivity, and nutrient and moisture availability. In this
project, long-term experiments will be used to trace the decomposition and
preservation of specific necromass molecules, the elution of carbon
dioxide, and activities of the microbial community over time. Lab-scale
measurements of microbial community structure, and metabolic networks from
sequence and metaproteomics data will be used to discover key microbial
functions associated with decomposition of specific necromass biomolecules.
The forefront of modeling soil organic matter decomposition involves
identification and parameterization of microbial functional traits. The
Continuum Microbial Enzyme Decomposition (CoMEND) model was developed to
represent decomposition pathways based on observations of gene functional
traits. Several sets of companion experiments, with a range of
environmental, biological, and mineralogical data, will be available to
test, validate, and improve the trait-based modeling approach. This
trans-disciplinary project will enable development of trait-based
approaches to improve prediction of microbial functions governing soil
carbon and nutrient cycling.



BESSD is an interdisciplinary research and development organization with
more than 60 years of achievement in local, regional, national, and
international environmental research. Our vision is to expand scientific
knowledge and develop innovative strategies and technologies that will
strengthen the nation’s leadership in creating solutions to help sustain
the Earth’s natural resources. Our scientists conduct research, develop
technology, and perform analyses to understand and assess responses of
environmental systems at the environment-human interface and the
consequences of alternative energy and environmental strategies.



The Earth Systems Science section is world-renowned for large-scale
experimental manipulations and is currently leading the US DOE flagship
‘Spruce and Peatland Responses Under Changing Environments’ (SPRUCE) field
experiment (https://mnspruce.ornl.gov/
<https://mail.cau.edu.cn/coremail/XT/jsp/java_script:void(0);>*)*. ESD
staff also lead the Next Generation Ecosystem Experiment (NGEE) Arctic
project (https://ngee-arctic.ornl.gov
<https://mail.cau.edu.cn/coremail/XT/jsp/java_script:void(0);>), and we are
an integral partner in the NGEE Tropics research project (
https://ngee-tropics.lbl.gov/
<https://mail.cau.edu.cn/coremail/XT/jsp/java_script:void(0);>*)*. We also
lead the Critical Interfaces Science Focus Area (CI-SFA,
https://www.esd.ornl.gov/programs/rsfa/
<https://mail.cau.edu.cn/coremail/XT/jsp/java_script:void(0);>), which
investigates the role of hydrology on the transformation of redox-sensitive
elements, such as mercury, in a flowing stream system. ESS staff also lead
the development of multiple land system components in the US DOE Energy
Exascale Earth System Model (E3SM, https://e3sm.org/
<https://mail.cau.edu.cn/coremail/XT/jsp/java_script:void(0);>)



*Major Duties/Responsibilities: *

   - The selected candidate will be joining a diverse team of empirical and
   modeling researchers, working at the cutting edge of modeling microbial
   activities in soils.
   - Key duties will be to use and improve trait-based microbiological
   models using available omics and environmental data.
   - Work with a trans-disciplinary team to use existing data and
   contribute to new experiments to represent microbial activities using
   trait-based frameworks.
   - Collaboration within and outside of the lab will be essential to the
   success of this position. The role will involve the opportunity to work
   with partner research groups in the U.S.
   - Deliver ORNL’s mission by aligning behaviors, priorities, and
   interactions with our core values of Impact, Integrity, Teamwork, Safety,
   and Service. Promote diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility by
   fostering a respectful workplace – in how we treat one another, work
   together, and measure success.



*Basic Qualifications:*

   - A PhD in Ecological Modeling, Microbial Ecology, or a related field
   completed within the last 5 years



*Preferred Qualifications:*

   - Modeling and coding expertise, as measured through first-author
   publications and/or major conference presentations focused on Metagenomics,
   Microbiology, Community Ecology, or a related field
   - An excellent record of productive and creative research demonstrated
   by publications in peer-reviewed journals.
   - A passion for understanding the natural world and representing it in
   models
   - Excellent written and oral communication skills
   - Motivated self-starter with the ability to work independently and to
   participate creatively in collaborative teams across the laboratory
   - Ability to function well in a fast-paced research environment, set
   priorities to accomplish multiple tasks within deadlines, and adapt to ever
   changing needs



Applicants cannot have received their Ph.D. more than five years prior to
the date of application and must complete all degree requirements before
starting their appointment. The appointment length will be for up to 24
months with the potential for extension. Initial appointments and
extensions are subject to performance and the availability of funding.



Please submit three letters of reference when applying to this position.
You can upload these directly to your application or have them sent to
postdocrecruitment at ornl.gov with the position title and number referenced
in the subject line.



Instructions to upload documents to your candidate profile:

   - Login to your account via jobs.ornl.gov
   - View Profile
   - Under the My Documents section, select Add a Document



*Benefits at ORNL:  *

ORNL offers competitive pay and benefits programs to attract and retain
talented people. The laboratory offers many employee benefits, including
medical and retirement plans and flexible work hours, to help you and your
family live happy and healthy. Employee amenities such as on-site fitness,
banking, and cafeteria facilities are also provided for convenience.



Other benefits include: Prescription Drug Plan, Dental Plan, Vision Plan,
401(k) Retirement Plan, Life Insurance, Pet Insurance, Generous Vacation
and Holidays, Parental Leave, Legal Insurance with Identity Theft
Protection, Employee Assistance Plan, Flexible Spending Accounts, Health
Savings Accounts, Wellness Programs, Educational Assistance, Relocation
Assistance, and Employee Discounts.



If you have difficulty using the online application system or need an
accommodation to apply due to a disability, please email:
ORNLRecruiting at ornl.gov.



This position will remain open for a minimum of 5 days after which it will
close when a qualified candidate is identified and/or hired.

We accept Word (.doc, .docx), Adobe (unsecured .pdf), Rich Text Format
(.rtf), and HTML (.htm, .html) up to 5MB in size. Resumes from third party
vendors will not be accepted; these resumes will be deleted and the
candidates submitted will not be considered for employment.


If you have trouble applying for a position, please email
ORNLRecruiting at ornl.gov.


ORNL is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants, including
individuals with disabilities and protected veterans, are encouraged to
apply.  UT-Battelle is an E-Verify employer.
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