Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences in East Boothbay, Maine seeks a Postdoctoral Research Scientist to help carry out a project working with lithotrophic Fe-oxidizing bacteria. The primary aims of this project are to learn more about the composition of extracellular micro-structures produced by different groups of Fe-oxidizing bacteria, and what environmental factors most influence their production. The position will be in Dr. David Emerson’s laboratory at Bigelow, and is a collaborative project with Dr. Clara Chan at the University of Delaware. The goal is to learn more about the potential utility of these biogenic materials for uses as varied as developing metal-fiber reinforced materials, or organo-metallic frameworks for chemical catalysis, or selective filtering systems. This will be a laboratory-intensive project involving growth of both marine and freshwater Fe-oxidizing bacteria, some biochemical analysis of their products, as well as development of laboratory systems for controlled growth and monitoring, via imaging, of the bacteria, including the use of RNA-seq based transcriptome approaches. In addition, comparative genomics will play an important part in strategizing research approaches. The well-suited candidate will have experience in geomicrobiology, microbial ecology and/or physiology with a strong interest and inclination toward experimental laboratory work, as well as an adequate background in genomics. It’s important to have an intellectual interest in applying this knowledge to the capacity for lithotrophic bacteria to grow on iron, as well as the potential for the development of novel materials. There will be opportunities to do some local field work. For full consideration, the application should be received by August 31, 2017.

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