Postdoctoral Research Associate, Microbial Ecology Lab

Who is Saint Louis University? Founded in 1818, Saint Louis University is one of the nation’s oldest and most prestigious Catholic universities. SLU, which also has a campus in Madrid, Spain, is recognized for world-class academics, life-changing research, compassionate health care, and a strong commitment to faith and service.

The Soil Microbial Ecology Laboratory at Saint Louis University is looking for a creative post-doctoral scientist with strong background in soil microbiome, multi-omics [metagenomics/transcriptomics/metabolomics], as well as bioinformatics.

Responsibilities: This researcher will assist the research team in conducting soil sampling in the field and assess soil functions using multi-omics analyses. The major tasks will include but are not limited:

• Quantify microbial functional genes using qPCR.
• Develop AI-driven bioinformatics pipeline and analyze multi-omics data.
• Perform soil sampling and experiment design.
• Measure soil properties—soil pH, moisture content, Inorganic N, etc.
• Soil incubation and activity measurement.
• Training undergrad and graduate students in the laboratory.

Qualifications: Applicants should have the following qualifications to be considered:

• PhD in microbial ecology/microbiology, and bioinformatics or related field.
• Experience in multi-omics pipeline development and analyses are required.
• Experience in wet lab: soil incubation, qPCR, DNA/RNA extraction.
• Evidence of scientific productivity in the form of peer-reviewed publications.
• Ability to take a leadership role for the project.

Salary and Benefits: Salary is commensurate with experience. Health insurance benefits are provided. The appointment is for 1 year with the possibility of an additional year pending satisfactory progress.

Application Deadline: This position will be open until it is filled.

Application: Interested applicants should send (1) a cover letter detailing the applicant’s research experience and starting date availability, (2) curriculum vitae, and (3) name, telephone numbers and e-mail addresses of three professional references to Dr. Laibin Huang (laibin.huang@slu.edu). Please, include the following in the subject line of the e-mail: “Your Last Name - Postdoc Application.”

Equal opportunity/affirmative action Statement: Saint Louis University is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. All qualified candidates will receive consideration for the position applied for without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, military/veteran status, gender identity, or other non-merit factors. We welcome and encourage applications from minorities, women, protected veterans, and individuals with disabilities (including disabled veterans). If accommodation is needed for completing the application and/or with the interviewing process, please contact Human Resources at 314-977-5847.

Critical or essential: The postdoc hire is critical to the department’s research mission and important for supporting ongoing research in Dr Huang’s Microbial Ecology Lab. The primary focus of this role is to support ongoing research, establish lab protocols, and generate preliminary data for securing extramural funding. Below are the specific aspects related to this position:

a) Developing standard protocols for Molecular techniques. This will require different kinds of training skills, including field soil sampling and soil nutrients analyses, experimental design, gene clone, PCR and qPCR, sequence library preparation. These skills are critical for maintaining lab productivity and data integrity.

b) Data analyses: skills in bioinformatics and high-throughput data analyses (metagenomic/transcriptomic analysis). These are critical for interpreting complex datasets and translating them into publications for supporting grant proposals.

c) Mentoring and training graduate students: training the graduate students with these hands-on experiences and data analysis skills. This will strengthen the lab’s research output as well as the department’s mission of fostering high-quality training in graduate research.

Function

Research Support

Scheduled Weekly Hours:

40

Saint Louis University is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. All qualified candidates will receive consideration for the position applied for without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, military/veteran status, gender identity, or other non-merit factors. If accommodations are needed for completing the application and/or with the interviewing process, please contact Human Resources at 314-977-5847.