Post-Doctoral Positions in Ectomycorrhizal Biology

Applications are invited for (a) postdoctoral scholar(s) to engage in research on plant-fungal biology, especially focused on ectomycorrhizal symbioses. The postdoc(s) will perform field surveys, laboratory experiments, and data analysis to quantify the maintenance of fungal diversity and the flows of chemical information through tree-fungal networks. We expect to hire up to two individuals based on the pool of qualified applicants.

The project tests the effects of environmental variability on fungal diversity, gene expression, and chemical production and is funded by the National Science Foundation (Award Details - NSF Award Search) and the Department of Defense (see Topic 6 at N0001425sf002 Fy26 Muri Final). In particular, we seek to: (1) test the hypothesis that host trees with more speciose ectomycorrhizal fungal communities are better prepared to tolerate variable, unpredictable environmental conditions, and (2) interpret the chemical language used by plants and fungi to communicate with each other and with members of their functional guilt. The postdoctoral scholar(s) will primarily be involved with empirical components of this project, including the quantification of fungal diversity in common gardens which decouple plant evolutionary history from environmental context, and greenhouse experiments manipulating the composition of plant-fungal networks and quantifying volatile organic compounds produced by these networks.

The postdoctoral scholar's (or scholars') activities may include, but will not be limited to, (1) design and implementation of greenhouse experiments that quantify mycorrhizal establishment and resource fluxes, (2) design and execution of field campaigns to California field sites to survey ectomycorrhizal communities, (3) collection of chemical exudates for mass spectrometry analysis, (4) analysis and publication of multivariate datasets arising from these activities, and (5) involvement in mathematical model development to generate new theoretical predictions from these findings. The postdoctoral scholar(s) will also be encouraged to develop independent but related lines of inquiry and to take advantage of professional development opportunities available at UC Santa Barbara and through collaborations, meeting attendance, etc.

The appointee will be based at UCSB in the laboratory of Dr. Holly Moeller, and will collaborate with Drs. Lee Anderegg, Angela Pitenis, and Quyen Nguyen (UCSB), Drs. Laura Bogar and Cristina Davis (UC Davis), and Dr. Kevin Garcia (North Carolina State University). The project includes funds for travel for collaborative visits to these other institutions.

Applicants must hold a PhD obtained within the last 5 years or be enrolled in a PhD-granting program or international equivalent at time of application.

PhD in biology, forest ecology, mycology, soil science, microbial ecology, environmental biology, or a closely related discipline by time of appointment. Applicants must have completed their PhD in order to start this position.

• Prior experience designing and carrying out empirical work with soil microbes, especially through field collections and greenhouse experiments.
• Experience using molecular biology to identify fungi, plants, and their traits.
• Experience with greenhouse cultivation of plants and, ideally, plant-fungal symbioses.
• Programming experience.
• Research experience in one or more of the following areas: microbial ecology, plant physiology, fungal biology, or closely related disciplines.
• A track record of talks and peer-reviewed publications appropriate to career stage.

• 3-5 required (contact information only)

Applicants should provide the names, affiliations, and email addresses of at least three references. The search committee may contact references of the top candidate(s) after the interviews.

As a condition of employment, the finalist will be required to disclose if they are subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct.

• "Misconduct" means any violation of the policies or laws governing conduct at the applicant's previous place of employment, including, but not limited to, violations of policies or laws prohibiting sexual harassment, sexual assault, or other forms of harassment or discrimination as defined by the employer.
• UC Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment Policy
• UC Anti-Discrimination Policy for Employees, students and third parties
• APM - 035: Affirmative Action and Nondiscrimination in Employment

Additionally, you will be required to comply with the University of California Policy on Vaccination Programs, as may be amended or revised from time to time. Federal, state, or local public health directives may impose additional requirements.

The University of California is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, or other protected status under state or federal law.