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 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 to coordinate field and lab efforts to characterize DOM concentration, composition and biodegradability across space and through time in support of remote sensing efforts to determine where and when the developed systems could be deployed. A key objective is to determine how operation of the fuel cell system may be affected by environmental conditions, and reciprocally how the system may affect the marine environment in the deployment area via continuous monitoring during deployments.

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 dissolved organic matter characterization and biodegradability.

Lead field research efforts to collect oceanographic and biogeochemical samples and data from boats and ships in coastal marine environments.

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

Perform various field sampling, laboratory-scale and/or pilot-scale experiments.

Coordinate among multidisciplinary teams to achieve project objectives.

Preparing manuscripts for publication in peer-reviewed journals.

Assisting with proposal writing and project administration.

Implement best safety practices and continuous improvement.

Required Education, Certifications, Licensures

PhD in Biology, Ecology, Limnology/Oceanography, or closely related discipline.

Required Experience

Field and lab experience in biogeochemistry, limnology or oceanography.
Experience with coding languages such as R, Python, or Matlab.
Track record of publications.

Desirable Education and/or Experience

Deployment of water quality sensors and managing sensor data streams for data analysis, management, and archiving
Experience with lab-based biogeochemical analyses for concentration and characterization of dissolved constituents in water.
Analysis of multi-dimensional and/or time series data.
Experience working in multidisciplinary research teams.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and/or Abilities

Ability to publish research findings in peer-reviewed journals.
Managing and synthesizing datasets using R or Python.

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

Professor

Posting Type

Dependent on Funding

Special Instructions to Applicants (if applicable)

Applicants must apply through the Michigan Technological University Human Resource portal (https://www.employment.mtu.edu/cw/en-us/job/xxxxxx). 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.