Human Resources

Summary

Michigan Technological University is seeking a postdoctoral research associate to contribute to an interdisciplinary project at the intersection of marine microbial ecology, environmental microbiology, and environmental and marine engineering. This project is part of a large interdisciplinary team aimed at developing a system for conversion of marine dissolved organic matter into electricity using microbial fuel cells. We are looking for a postdoctoral research associate who can coordinate efforts to design, construct, test, optimize, and characterize the ability of innovative microbial fuel cells to produce electricity from dissolved organic matter in marine environments at bench, pilot, and full scales.

The postdoctoral position is available for 12 months with the possibility for renewal dependent upon satisfactory performance and funding. The full-time positions would start December 2024, depending on the availability of funding.

Responsibilities 

Perform research related to microbial fuel cell design, fabrication, testing, characterization, and optimization.

Provide guidance and supervision to both graduate students and undergraduate researchers in this area.

Perform laboratory-scale and/or pilot-scale experiments.

Coordinate among multidisciplinary teams to achieve project objectives.

Prepare manuscripts for publication in peer-reviewed journals.

Assist with proposal writing and project administration.

Implement best safety practices and continuous improvement.

Required Education, Certifications, Licensures

PhD in Environmental Engineering, Chemical Engineering or closely related discipline.

Required Experience

Demonstrated expertise in environmental microbiology and environmental engineering.
Demonstrated experience in the fabrication, characterization, and/or operation of bioelectrochemical systems.
Track record of publications.

Desirable Education and/or Experience

Experience with microbial community analyses and engineering and bioinformatics.
Experience in anaerobic microbiological techniques.
Experience with the use of analytical equipment, deployed environmental sensors, running biochemical tests, performing molecular biological assays, and/or design, fabrication, and operation of laboratory- or pilot-scale bioreactors.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and/or Abilities

Ability to design, fabricate, characterize and operate bioelectrochemical systems.
Ability to publish research findings in peer-reviewed journals.
Ability to perform bioelectrochemical analyses.

Desirable Knowledge, Skills, and/or Abilities

Demonstrated success in, or potential future contributions to, working with persons from diverse backgrounds, creating a sense of belonging, and fostering a fair, objective, welcoming place to work for persons with a wide variety of personal characteristics and viewpoints.

Language, Mathematics and/or Reasoning Skills

Work Environment and/or Physical Demands

The noise level in the work environment is usually low to moderate.

Required Training and Other Conditions of Employment

Every employee at Michigan Technological University will receive the following 4 required trainings; additional training may be required by the department.

Required University Training:

• Employee Safety Overview

• Anti-Harassment, Discrimination, Retaliation Training

• Annual Data Security Training 

• Annual Title IX Training

Background Check:

Offers of employment are contingent upon and not considered finalized until the required background check has been performed and the results received and assessed.

Other Conditions of Employment:

The successful applicant will be responsible for ensuring eligibility for employment in the United States on or before the effective date of the appointment. This is not an E-Verified Position.

1

FLSA Status

Exempt

Appointment Term

12 months

Shift

Pay Rate/Salary

Title of Position Supervisor

Associate Professor

Posting Type

Dependent on Funding

Special Instructions to Applicants (if applicable)

Applicants must apply through the Michigan Technological University Human Resource portal http://www.employment.mtu.edu/cw/en-us/job/493731.

Applicants should submit a letter stating their interest and suitability for a position as well as a brief (1-page) research statement, a CV, and contact information for three references.

Additional Information

Michigan Technological University, one of the four major research universities in the State of Michigan, is located in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula adjacent to Lake Superior. The community offers a small-town environment with outstanding four-season recreational opportunities. Michigan Tech is located in Houghton, MI on the south shore of Lake Superior.

Michigan Tech is proud to be an ADVANCE Institution that has thrice received National Science Foundation support to increase diversity, inclusion, and the participation and advancement of women and underrepresented individuals in STEM.