Post-Doctoral Research Associate- Civil & Environmental Engineering

Post-Doctoral Research Associate, Civil & Environmental Engineering

This position involves experimental research characterizing nitrous oxide- (N2 O-) reducing microbiomes. Anaerobic mixed and axenic cultures that reduce N2 O to dinitrogen shall be obtained from acid tropical soils and agricultural soils. Process and organismal characterization will integrate cultivation with omics approaches (metagenomics, metatranscriptomics, metaproteomics), quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR), reverse transcription qPCR, and rate measurements under different incubation conditions. Multivariate statistical analysis and machine learning approaches will be applied to predict process performance in different biogeochemical conditions. Phylogenomic analysis will establish the evolutionary history of NosZ and facilitate the development of environmental monitoring tools for different types of N2 O reductases. Tool validation at the gene, transcript, and protein level will include field work. Structural simulation studies will be performed to unravel functionality of novel CuA and CuZ centers involved in electron transfer and catalysis.

Duties associated with the position include leading and conducting the experimental activities. The successful candidate will interact with graduate students and other researcher, and work as a member of a multidisciplinary team. The successful candidate must contribute to and develop new research initiatives, and fiscal/technical management of research projects.