Positions Open

The research, funded by the Simons Foundation (CBIOMES project), aims to better understand how the interactions between bacteria, archaea, viruses, and protists regulate the distributions and activities of marine planktonic microorganisms globally – though the interactions are all local. A central part of the work will be processing datasets to understand current plankton biogeographies, as well as collaborations with global ocean modelers on model development and improvement.

Candidates must have a PhD degree and significant experience (and publications) in microbial ecology, including bioinformatics with ‘omics data, and specifically involving mixed natural communities of microorganisms. Work will involve analysis of new and existing very large sequence datasets (metagenomes, metatranscriptomes, 16S, 18S) from prior lab experiments and oceanographic measurements. The successful candidate should also be qualified to run experiments manipulating natural marine communities, using ‘omics data from the experiments to study growth processes and microbial interactions. The ideal candidate has strong quantitative skills and broad microbial ecological and oceanographic understanding, with experience handling very large ‘omics datasets. Experience in both laboratory and field based aquatic research is strongly preferred. Strong written and verbal communication skills, as well as the ability to work well in a team, are required. Applicants meeting these qualifications should send their CV, a letter of intent describing their motivation, qualifications, skills, and experience relevant to this position, and contact information (including telephone numbers) for three references to fuhrman@usc.edu.

We will look at applications as soon as they arrive, and the position will be open until filled. The target start date is January 2024.

Interested in applying to be a graduate student? Visit the USC Marine and Environmental Biology department page to learn more about the program and application requirements.