Open Positions

The SyM3 Lab in the Biology Department at McMaster University is looking for a highly motivated postdoctoral researcher to isolate, characterize, and select for plant-growth promoting microbes from soils across Ontario. The chosen candidate will work alongside graduate and undergraduate students in the lab, as well as be part of a larger collaborative network of academic and industry partners with a shared goal to develop beneficial inoculants that improve Canadian crop growth and resiliency (The BENEFIT Project).

For this project, the candidate will initially assist with microbial strain characterization (genomic and phenotypic). They will then design and implement an evolution experiment in which synthetic microbial populations will be constructed and passaged with the same or rotating host crop species (peas, wheat, canola, barley). They will use a combination of metagenomic and whole-genome sequencing approaches to identify generalist strains (and the underlying genomic variants) that benefit a wider range of host species. The candidate will be required to meet specific project milestones within the timeframe allotted, but also be given the opportunity to design additional experiments and gain professional development skills that align with their future career goals.

Qualifications:

• PhD in a field relevant to microbial ecology and evolution, microbiology, or plant-microbe interactions.
• Experience with one or more of the following: aseptic technique, bacterial cultivation, plant cultivation, genomic analyses.
• Publications in peer-reviewed journals.
• Works well as part of a team, as well as independently
• Leadership qualities: willingness to work with and train grad and undergraduate researchers.

Application Procedure:

Please forward

1. A cover letter that addresses fit to the position and how the position could help the candidate achieve their short and long term career goals;
2. A complete CV; and
3. Contact information for three professional references.

Please submit your application via email to rebecca.doyle@mcmaster.ca by the deadline August 1, 2024.

The Microbiome Manipulation Lab at the University of Toronto – Scarborough seeks a postdoctoral associate to address tradeoffs between the production, storage, and in-soil application of candidate probiotics for agriculture. The selected candidate will work within a large multi-institute project funded by Genome Canada, including both academic and industry partners, which aims to develop new and efficient processes for selecting and breeding agricultural probiotics as alternatives to chemical fertilizer inputs.

In this project, the selected candidate will assess links between bacterial taxonomy, in-lab growth, low resource tolerance, and in-soil survival and performance. We will also assess trait flexibility using experimental evolution approaches, as well as microbe-microbe interactions, both in culture-based growth environments and in soils post-addition.

This project requires us to meet consistent performance and reporting deadlines, but there will be substantial opportunity for the candidate to explore their own ideas and develop an independent research program. There will also be opportunities to collaborate with other members of our group, other groups at UTSC, and other research groups within our network, and to pursue various professional development activities. Our lab is committed to equity, diversity, and inclusion and I encourage applications from candidates of all backgrounds. Holistic review is used to assess the unique strengths of each applicant.

Primary duties and responsibilities

• Perform the research described for our portion of this collaborative project, while adhering to performance timelines
• Contribute to quarterly reporting
• Exchange data, materials, and ideas with collaborating institutes
• Generate and explore independent ideas related to the goals of the project/research group

Preferred qualifications

• PhD in a field relevant to environmental microbiology
• Experience with research in microbiology/microbial evolution/microbial ecology
• Experience in one or more of the following: bacterial cultivation; in-lab bacterial growth assays; meta-omics analysis
• Publications in peer-reviewed journals
• Skills in organization, time management, and adherence to timelines
• Collaborative research experience

To apply

An ideal start date would be ~September 2024; however, this can be negotiated based on the needs of the selected candidate. Please forward 1) a cover letter that addresses fit to the position and how the position could help the candidate move towards their career goals, 2) a complete CV, and 3) contact information for three professional references to terrence.bell@utoronto.ca. I will consider applications as they are received, but encourage applicants to submit before June 30, 2024 to ensure full consideration.

Location: University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba

Date posted: 2024-05-08

Advertised until: 2024-07-07

Position No. 29579

Job Description:

Derek Brewin, Department of Agribusiness and Agricultural Economics, and Lead of the Economics and Environmental Activity within the Multi-Disciplinary research of the Inoculant based BENEFIT project of Genome Canada, seeks highly-qualified applicants for a full-time, term position at the rank of Post Doctorate Fellow. Salary is commensurate with qualifications and experience. The appointment may begin on or after May 15, 2024 and will run for at least 24 months.

Responsibilities:

The successful applicant will:

• Support a research program meant to meet the needs of the BENEFIT project, which will include, research into the economic models of soil based biological products and their benefits to farmers as well as the markets for such products. See the summary of the BENEFIT Project on the Genome Canada webpage.
• Have excellent communication skills and be able to work well individually and collegially within a diverse interdisciplinary environment.

Qualifications :

Essential: Applicants must possess, or be nearing completion of, a Ph.D. in Agricultural, Environmental or Resource Economics, Plant Science, Agronomy, Soil Science or a related area. The successful applicant will have strong analytical skills with demonstrated expertise in advanced quantitative and statistical methods (must include advanced econometrics or simulation courses in their Ph.D. program).

Desired: The supervisor is seeking an applied environmental or resource economist, or physical scientist with economics training with a record of research in topics at the intersection of agriculture, the environment, and natural resources. Experience using new approaches to analyze data and evidence of proficiency with up-to-date software and tools will be considered assets.

As part of their application, candidates must provide evidence of research excellence using a CV, a research statement, and letters of reference.

To apply:

A complete application for this position must include: a cover letter, unofficial or official transcripts of all advanced degrees, a curriculum vitae, a job market paper (a work in progress can be submitted if it is expected to be complete for a presentation for fall of 2024), and a statement of research interests. Three confidential letters of reference must be received directly from the applicant's referees. All the application material must be submitted to the chair of the search committee by way of pdf e-mail attachments to: surinder.kamboz@umanitoba.ca. A review of applications will begin on May 1st and will continue until the position is filled.

Additional Information:

The University of Manitoba is committed to the principles of equity, diversity & inclusion and to promoting opportunities in hiring, promotion and tenure (where applicable) for systemically marginalized groups who have been excluded from full participation at the University and the larger community including Indigenous Peoples, women, racialized persons, persons with disabilities and those who identify as 2SLGBTQIA+ (Two Spirit, lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, questioning, intersex, asexual and other diverse sexual identities). All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, Canadian citizens and permanent residents will be given priority.

If you require accommodation supports during the recruitment process, please contact UM.Accommodation@umanitoba.ca or 204-474-7195. Please note this contact information is for accommodation reasons only.

Application materials, including letters of reference, will be handled in accordance with the protection of privacy provision of The Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (Manitoba). Please note that curriculum vitae may be provided to participating members of the search process.

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