Postdoctoral Researcher

For questions regarding this position, please contact:An interdisciplinary team of microbial ecologists, biogeochemists, and hydrologists at Montana State University is seeking to hire a postdoctoral researcher to assist with creative development of simulation models of anaerobic metabolic processes in stream corridor groundwaters.This position will be housed in the Department of Land Resources and Environmental Sciences (LRES) and will involve collaboration with the Department of Microbiology and Cell Biology (MCB), both within the College of Agriculture at Montana State University. The position will report to Robert A. Payn (coupled biogeochemical-hydrological modeling, LRES, co-PI) with frequent interaction and additional mentorship provided by team leaders Anthony D. Bertagnolli (microbial ecology, MCB, lead PI), Stephanie A. Ewing (biogeochemistry of soils and terrestrial waters, LRES, co-PI), and Frank J. Stewart (microbial ecology, MCB, co-PI). The position has potential to be physically located on the campus of the Montana State University in Bozeman, but highly qualified candidates who have demonstrated effectiveness in working remotely will be considered.Position Number: 4C0006Department: Land Resources & Environ SciDivision: College of Agriculture/MAESAppointment Type: ProfessionalContract Term: Fiscal YearFLSA: Non-ExemptUnion Affiliation: Exempt from Collective BargainingFTE: 1.0Benefits EligibleSalary: $50,000 - $55,000 per year, commensurate with experience, education, and qualifications.Contract Type: LOARecruitment Type: OpenGeneral Statement:The position is funded by a recent grant from the US Department of Energy (award number DE-SC0024296) to study the biogeochemical implications of nitrite-dependent methane-oxidizing bacteria recently identified from the metagenome of anoxic riparian groundwaters in central Montana. These bacteria are known to occupy a metabolic niche in anaerobic marine microbial communities (Bertagnolli and Stewart 2018), but their abundance and biogeochemical relevance are not well characterized in anoxic freshwater systems like carbon-rich riparian wetlands or shallow riparian groundwaters. This research is an extension of a long history of research on nitrogen cycling in central Montana agricultural landscapes by project co-PIs and is strongly motivated by the potential for these anaerobic bacterial communities to meaningfully influence greenhouse gas emissions of agricultural stream corridor ecosystems.Duties and Responsibilities:Creative development of simulation models of anaerobic metabolic processes in stream corridor groundwaters.Use of these models in combination with field data from the project to make intellectual contributions to understanding the biogeochemical behavior of anaerobic microbial communities.Assistance with organizing data product management and code sustainability for the project.Assistance with project management and inclusive mentorship of students and junior researchers on the project.Required Qualifications – Experience, Education, Knowledge & Skills:Creative coding skills and the enthusiasm for building further software development skills necessary to develop the proposed modeling framework.A PhD in an earth systems related field of research associated with aqueous biogeochemistry.Experience that demonstrates the ability to provide safe and inclusive mentorship to diverse junior members of the team.Preferred Qualifications – Experience, Education, Knowledge & Skills:Experience with development of a combination of C++ libraries utilized by R or Python analytical workflow management.Graduate research experience with publications in modeling of biogeochemical processes.Experience and leadership in modular software development, effective code revision management (i.e., git), and reproducible data product generation.The Successful Candidate Will:Be a motivated scholar with a strong work ethic.Have excellent oral and written communication skills.Have the ability to work independently on a wide variety of tasks.Work productively in an inclusive, diverse, and team-oriented environment.Maintain excellent records, attention to detail, meet deadlines, and prioritize competing demands.Position Special Requirements/Additional Information:This job description should not be construed as an exhaustive statement of duties, responsibilities, or requirements, but a general description of the job. Nothing contained herein restricts Montana State University’s rights to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time.Physical Demands:To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily with or without reasonable accommodations.This position has supervisory duties? NoNumber of Vacancies: 1Desired Start Date: Upon completion of a successful searchPosition End Date (if temporary):Open Date:Close Date:Applications will be:Screening of applications will begin on

December 4, 2023 ; however, applications will continue to be accepted until an adequate applicant pool has been established.Special Instructions:Diversity Statement:Montana State University values diverse perspectives and is committed to continually supporting, promoting and building an inclusive and culturally diverse campus environment.In compliance with the Montana Veteran’s Employment Preference Act, MSU provides preference in employment to veterans, disabled veterans, and certain eligible relatives of veterans.MSU’s Non-Discrimination Policy and Discrimination Grievance Procedures can be located on the MSU Website: https://www.montana.edu/hr/recruitment/dualcareer.html

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