The Soil Microbial Ecology Laboratory at Saint Louis University is looking for a creative post-doctoral scientist with strong background in soil microbiome and metagenomics, as well as enzyme activities to join an interdisciplinary team.

Responsibilities: This researcher will assist the research team in conducting soil sampling and/or greenhouse gas measurements in the field and assess soil microbiological processes associated with nitrogen and carbon cycling. The researcher will also be involved in different projects (e.g. USDA--soil health/microbiome, and funded NASA program). The major tasks will include but are not limited:

1. USDA--soil health/microbiome

• Perform soil sampling and experiment design in agriculture and/or grassland, forestry.

• Determine the microbial enzyme activities related to N and C cycling in soils.

• Measure soil propertiesâ”soil pH, moisture content, Inorganic N, etc.

• Quantify nmicrobial functional genes [N cyclingâ”nifH, amoA, nirK, nirS, and nosZ; C cyclingâ”lacZ, mcrA, rbcL, nagZ] using qPCR.

• Conduct amplicon, metagenomic/metatranscriptomic sequence analyses

• Training undergrad and graduate students in the laboratory

2. NASA program

• Perform experiment design related to Anaerobic Digestion and Phototrophic Biosystem for Sustainable Space Habitats.

• Determine the microbial enzyme activities related to CH4 production in the digestion system.

• Characterization of microbial communities via amplicon sequencing.

• Training undergrad and graduate students in the laboratory.

Qualifications: Applicants should have the following qualifications to be considered:

PhD in microbial ecology, soils and biogeochemistry, microbiology or related field. Experience in molecular biology, 16S rRNA and functional gene high throughput sequencing. Evidence of scientific productivity in the form of peer-reviewed publications related to microbial N and C cycling, and/or metagenomic analysis is required. Evidence of excellency in communicating science. Ability to take a leadership role for specific components of the project associated with soil sampling, processing, and analyses of metagenomic samples and ability to work independently as well as a productive member of a team.

Salary and Benefits: Salary is commensurate with experience. Health insurance benefits are provided. The appointment is for 1 year with the possibility of an additional year pending satisfactory progress.

Application Deadline: This position will be open until it is filled.

Application: Interested applicants should send (1) a cover letter detailing the applicants research experience and starting date availability, (2) curriculum vitae, and (3) name, telephone numbers and e-mail addresses of three professional references to Dr. Laibin Huang (

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About Saint Louis University

Saint Louis University(SLU) is a private, co-educational Jesuit university located in St. Louis, Missouri, United States. Founded in 1818 by the Most Reverend Louis Guillaume Valentin Dubourg SLU is the oldest university west of the Mississippi River. The University has campuses in St. Louis, Mo. and Madrid, Spain. SLU values academic excellence, life-changing research, compassionate health care, and a strong commitment to faith and service. For nearly 200 years, the University has gone beyond teaching facts and figures, encouraging students to form ideas and identities. Today, SLU students are nearly 14,000 strong. The University has invested vast resources to advance academic programs and enhance the student experience. SLU also is a major research institution where premier researchers tackle local and global challenges. And the University's commitment to community service has earned it national acclaim and bolstered its status as a character-building college.

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