Post-Doctoral Researcher - Biology

Eastern Washington University, United States

Updated: 5 months ago
Location: Cheney, WASHINGTON
Deadline: ;

Posting Details
Position Title Post-Doctoral Researcher - Biology
Posting Number 2021088EP

Classification Title Research Associate-Biology
Working Title Post-Doctoral Researcher - Biology
Classification Code 1540
RCW Exemption Criteria 12 - Research Activities
EWU Position Number E99274
CUPA Code P-470430 - Social Science, Research Associate
FLSA Exempt - Professional
Bargaining Unit
% Full Time 100%
Salary / Wage Range AE - 107
Salary Information
$53,000
Anticipated Start Date 9/16/2022
Term of Appointment 24 months
Location Cheney Campus
County Spokane
Project Description
  • A two-year postdoctoral research position as part of a $1.4 million NSF-funded collaborative project.
Project Duration 2 years
Background Check Yes - Both
Responsible HR User Vara Lyn Conrath
Responsible HR User Email address vconrath@ewu.edu

Job Summary
Post-Doctoral Researcher in Symbiosis Evolution and Ecology
  • Eastern Washington University’s College of Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics, department of Biology is searching to fill a two-year postdoctoral research position as part of a $1.4 million NSF-funded collaborative project with The New York Botanical Garden titled “Integrating Digitization, Exploration, Genomics, and Student Training to Illuminate Forces Shaping Appalachian Lichen Distributions.” The project will examine how intrinsic biological characteristics and extrinsic environmental conditions shape species distributions using lichen symbioses in the Appalachian Mountains as the study system. .” The project will examine the how intrinsic biological characteristics and extrinsic environmental conditions shape species distributions through development of lichen symbioses in the Appalachian Mountains as a model system. The award summary can be viewed on the National Science Foundation Website: (https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=2115191&HistoricalAwards=false )


  • The postdoctoral researcher will be primarily responsible for conducting multiple large-scale analyses and publishing the results. Past experience analyzing population genomics and/or ecological data sets is essential. Additional aspects of the position can be negotiated to match the postdoctoral researcher’s career goals and interests (e.g., include field work, undergraduate and graduate student mentoring, teaching, and public outreach). This position includes funding for travel to two conferences, workshops, or other networking and training opportunities each year.

  • The ideal candidate for this position will take advantage of the opportunity to gain substantial experiences integrating research with undergraduate education. 

  • EWU is a regional comprehensive university and the 20 faculty members in the Biology Department excel in undergraduate research and education. The Biology Department also hosts a Master’s of Science program that enrolls 25 students. EWU is located in Cheney, Washington, 16 miles south of Spokane, WA, which was recently recognized as one of the up-and-coming small cities in the USA. Situated at the edge of the Rocky Mountains, a few hours’ drive from the Cascade Mountains, and multiple large lakes and rivers, the area has a great deal to offer outdoor recreation enthusiasts. There are multiple other universities and research institutes in the area with which EWU faculty maintain active collaborations, including Washington State University, The University of Idaho, Gonzaga University, and Pacific Northwest National Laboratories.

  • The candidate will be co-mentored by James Lendemer at The New York Botanical Garden, and will work collaboratively on site with the team in New York City for a portion of their time in this position.

  • Open until Filled: This is an open recruitment, three days’ notice will be provided prior to closure of recruitment.

  • Please see job duties section for specific job duties.
About Eastern Washington University
Eastern Washington University is a regional, comprehensive public university located in Cheney and Spokane, Washington, with programs offered throughout the state and online with an enrollment of over 12,000 students. Eastern is one of six state-funded four-year institutions of higher education in Washington reporting to its own Board of Trustees.
Eastern’s 300-acre main campus is located in Cheney, a community of 11,000 residents 16 miles southwest of the state’s second largest city, Spokane. Eastern also offers programs in downtown Spokane at the Brand new Catalyst building and on the Riverpoint Campus which is shared with Washington State University. Eastern also offers program throughout the state based on the needs of the community. Eastern offers an array of bachelor’s and master’s degrees and one applied doctorate in physical therapy. EWU offers 135 fields of study, 9 master’s degrees, 12 graduate certificates, 39 graduate programs, 1 educational specialist degree, and 1 applied doctorate to more than 10,000 enrolled students.
Tribal Land Acknowledgement
Eastern Washington University resides within the traditional homelands of the Spokane People and other tribes who are connected through their shared history of this region. This land holds their cultural DNA and it is their Ancestors who are here and bring forth the knowledge of this place—the knowledge that comes from the land.
Diversity Statement
EWU does not discriminate in its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, national origin, citizenship or immigration status, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, genetic information, age, marital status, families with children, protected veteran or military status, HIV or hepatitis C, status as a mother breastfeeding her child, or the presence of any sensory, mental, or physical disability or the use of a trained guide dog or service animal by a person with a disability, as provided for and to the extent required by state and federal laws.
Conditions of Employment
  • Two year 100% time grant -funded position, with an annual 12-month per year appointment.
  • Work collaboratively on site with the team in New York City.
  • Travel to scientific conferences (locations TBD).
  • Travel to the Appalachian Mountains for field work.
  • All new employees must comply with EWU immunization Policy 602-02 and provide proof of immunity or vaccination to MMR and proof they are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 before beginning work at EWU. Waivers for the immunization requirements are available for medical or sincerely held religious beliefs.
  • The position, during the course of university employment will be involved in the receipt of, or accountability for, university funds or other items of value, as well as the unsupervised access with the developmentally disabled, vulnerable adults or children under the age of 16. The offer of employment is contingent upon successful completion and passing of a background check prior to beginning employment.
Physical Demands
  • If you would like to obtain a copy of the Essential Functions Analysis form, which describes the physical and mental demands of the position, please contact Vara Lyn Conrath at vconrath@ewu.edu .
Pre-Placement Physical No
Hearing Test No
Medical Monitoring Post Hire No
Protective Equipment
  • University, local, regional and state mandates for public and personal protection should be followed as needed. This will include, but not limited to protective gloves and eye protection when needed. 
Required Qualifications
  • PhD at time of hire in Bioinformatics, Evolutionary Biology, Ecology or related fields;
  • Demonstrated expertise in genomics, bioinformatics, large-scale ecological analyses;
  • Skills in manuscript writing and publishing;
  • Strong verbal communication and teamwork skills.
Preferred Qualifications
  • Ability to analyze population genomics datasets;
  • Experience in student mentoring and undergraduate teaching;
  • Public outreach and science communication;
  • Past field and/or laboratory work with fungi.
Other Skills and Abilities
Work Schedule Type Regular
Work Schedule
  • Typical work schedule of 8:00am to 5:00pm, Mondays – Fridays.
  • Position will be required to travel to fulfill position responsibilities, including participation in multi-day trips for research, conferences, and other work-related responsibilities.
Posting Date 12/29/2021
Open Until Further Notice Yes
Closing Date
Screening to Begin 02/15/2022
Special Instructions to Applicants
It is strongly recommended that you print a copy of these instructions and the position posting before you begin to complete the online application, as the instructions will not be viewable once you begin the application process.
  • Attach a detailed cover letter that includes a description of previous research experience, data analysis skills, and career goals. (2 page maximum)
  • Attach a curriculum vita
  • Diversity Response – As an equal opportunity employer with a multicultural staff and student population, we are interested in how your qualifications prepare you to work with diverse faculty, staff, and student populations representing various cultures and backgrounds that may be different from your own. You will be asked to attach a diversity response as part of the online application process: Please describe how you will apply an approach that is supportive to the diverse needs, including universal access, of our students, faculty, staff, and the public.
    		•
    Application Types Accepted Application

    Job Duties


    % of Time 100
    Responsibility / Duty
    • Analyze large genomic and/or ecological datasets
    • Write scientific manuscripts for publication in peer-reviewed journals
    • Design experiments and data analysis workflows
    • Present research results at scientific conferences
    • Mentor graduate and undergraduate students in research
    • Conduct field work
    • Conduct molecular laboratory work (i.e., extracting and sequencing genomic DNA)
    Essential Function Indicator Yes

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