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Postdoctoral Scholar - Microbial Modeling - Department of Environ Sci, Policy & Mgmt

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Position overview

Position title: Postdoctoral Employee
Salary range: Salary will be commensurate with qualifications and experience and based on UC Berkeley Postdoc salary scale.
Percent time: 100
Anticipated start: Fall 2022
Position duration: Initial appointment is for 1 year with possibility of renewal based on performance and availability of funding.

Position description

The University of California Berkeley, Department of Environmental Science, Policy and Management, seeks applications for a Postdoctoral Scholar in the Brodie Lab.

As part of an exciting National Science Foundation (NSF) supported multi-institution project studying the thermodynamic rules of the assembly of microbial communities in soils and human microbiomes, we are hiring a postdoctoral researcher in the area of trait-and-individual-based microbial modeling.

You will focus on developing a trait-based representation of the thermodynamic regulation of the interactions between bacteria under varying substrate and chemical conditions, cultured within microfluidic systems.

As part of our multidisciplinary team, you will collaborate with researchers across 5 UC Berkeley Departments, and primarily with scientists at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, and Los Rios Community College.

What You Will Do:

  • Develop mathematical models of microbial population dynamics and physiology.
  • Incorporate complex inter-related physical and chemical processes into trait-based models to capture processes such as heat generation, and substrate selection during biochemical reactions.
  • Develop or use methods to evaluate and calibrate models against a diverse range of observations.
  • Work in an integrated team environment.
  • Prepare research results for publication
  • Present research results at conferences/meetings
  • Mentor junior members of the lab

Qualifications

Basic qualifications (required at time of application)

PhD (or equivalent international degree) or enrolled in a PhD (or equivalent international degree) program.

Additional qualifications (required at time of start)

PhD (or equivalent international degree) required by the appointment start date.
The candidate should have no more than four years of post-degree research experience by start date.

Preferred qualifications

Expertise in computational physics with a focus on biological systems or biophysics, high-performance computing, ideally, but not limited to, simulations of microfluidic flow in complex geometries, or agent-based simulations. A background in, or willingness to learn, modeling of microbial community dynamics and subsequent effects on biochemical cycling are required. Some expertise in uncertainty quantification and modeling evaluation.

● Ph.D. in physics, chemical engineering or equivalent international degree , or a related discipline with a strong background in thermodynamics.
● Significant experience in mathematical modeling of biological systems.
● Knowledge of microbial physiological and metabolic traits relevant to microbes, soil biogeochemistry and/or systems biology
● Strong background in mathematics and statistics.
● Demonstrated ability to develop methods to evaluate models against a diverse range of observations.
● Excellent oral and written communication skills.
● Ability to work within an integrated team environment.

Application Requirements

Document requirements
  • Curriculum Vitae - Your most recently updated C.V.

  • Cover Letter (Optional)

  • Statement of Research

Reference requirements
  • 3 required (contact information only)
Apply link: https://aprecruit.berkeley.edu/JPF03529

Help contact: elbrodie@lbl.gov

About UC Berkeley

UC Berkeley is committed to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging. The excellence of the institution requires an environment in which the diverse community of faculty, students, and staff are welcome and included. Successful candidates will demonstrate knowledge and skill related to ensuring equity and inclusion in the activities of their academic position (e.g., teaching, research, and service, as applicable).

The University of California, Berkeley is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, or protected veteran status. For the complete University of California nondiscrimination and affirmative action policy see: http://policy.ucop.edu/doc/4000376/NondiscrimAffirmAct

In searches when letters of reference are required all letters will be treated as confidential per University of California policy and California state law. Please refer potential referees, including when letters are provided via a third party (i.e., dossier service or career center), to the UC Berkeley statement of confidentiality prior to submitting their letter.

As a University employee, you will be required to comply with all applicable University policies and/or collective bargaining agreements, as may be amended from time to time. Federal, state, or local government directives may impose additional requirements.

Job location

Berkeley, California