Information for Prospective Lab Members
Open Position: Postdoctoral Research Associate in Plant-Microbe Interactions
We are hiring a post-doctoral research associate to study the chemical and agricultural ecology of plant-microbe interactions in apples. The successful applicant will collaborate on USDA and FFAR-funded research that examines how agricultural practices in apple orchards impact the fruit microbiome and the downstream consequences for fruit chemistry/quality, cider fermentation, and human health. The post-doc will be based in the Whitehead Lab and collaborate with multiple other research groups with diverse expertise, including Amanda Stewart (VT Food Science and Technology), Jacob Lahne (VT Food Science and Technology), Rob Knight (UC San Diego), Michael Wisniewski (VT Biology), Samir Droby (The Volcani Center, Israel), and Shiri Freilich (The Volcani Center, Israel). The post-doc will mentor students and lead diverse research activities in both the field and lab, including orchard surveys across the eastern US, experiments in our new research orchard, culture-dependent and culture-independent characterization of microbial communities, and phytochemical analyses of fruits and cider. The exact start date is negotiable between Nov 2020 and Feb 2021. With the application, please include a CV, a brief cover letter that includes a statement of interest and what you could contribute to the project, and a list of three references with contact info. Questions should be directed to swhitehead@vt.edu. Review of applications will begin Oct. 1 and continue until the position is filled.
*Qualifications*
A PhD in ecology, plant science, microbiology, or a related field.
*Additional desirable experience*
Please note that any of these skills would be helpful, but we do not expect candidates to have experience in all these areas. If you have a PhD and an interest in plant-microbe interactions and agroecology, please apply!
-Strong writing skills and evidence of ability to carry projects through to publication
-Experience with DNA extractions, PCR, amplicon sequencing, and bioinformatics pipelines
-Experience with culture-based microbial community analysis, maintaining culture collections, and conducting laboratory bioassays
-Experience designing and carrying out field experiments
-Background in analytical chemistry techniques such as HPLC
-Bioinformatic and statistical skill-set including programming/data analysis in R
-Experience with supervision/mentorship of student researchers
-Demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion in science
-Strong organization skills and experience managing project logistics such as travel, scheduling project personnel, maintaining equipment, and ordering/organizing supplies
*To apply*
Qualified applicants must electronically submit an online application at http://careers.pageuppeople.com/968/cw/en-us/job/514205/postdoctoral-associate. The application should include a CV, a brief cover letter that includes a statement of interest and what you could contribute to the lab, and a list of three references with contact info. Questions should be directed to swhitehead@vt.edu. Review of applications will begin on Oct. 1, 2020 and continue until the position is filled. Virginia Tech is committed to building a culturally diverse faculty and strongly encourages applications from women and minorities.
Virginia Tech does not discriminate against employees, students, or applicants on the basis of age, color, disability, gender, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, political affiliation, race, religion, sexual orientation, genetic information, or veteran status; or otherwise discriminate against employees or applicants who inquire about, discuss, or disclose their compensation or the compensation of other employees, or applicants; or any other basis protected by law.
For inquiries regarding non-discrimination policies, contact the executive director for Equity and Accessibility at 540-231-2010 or Virginia Tech, North End Center, Suite 2300 (0318), 300 Turner St. NW, Blacksburg, VA 24061.
If you are an individual with a disability and desire accommodation, please contact Dreama Price dreama@vt.edu or contact University ADA Services http://oea.vt.edu/ada-accessibility-services.html with any questions.
Graduate Research Opportunities
Interested in graduate studies (MS or PhD) in our lab? Please see the research section to learn more about current projects in the lab and read a few of our publications. If you have research interests that overlap with mine, please send me a brief letter describing your background and research interests and include a current CV. Also, please take the time to read this very helpful advice to prospective students (written by Deane Bowers at U of Colorado, but the same principles apply here). Graduate students will be supported with a combination of research and teaching assistantships in the Department of Biological Sciences. All students are also encouraged to apply for external fellowships such as the National Science Foundation Pre-doctoral Fellowship (https://www.nsfgrfp.org).
Please see https://www.biol.vt.edu/ for application details.
Undergraduate Research Opportunities
I am always looking for motivated undergraduates to join the lab. Generally students will begin as assistants on existing research projects, and can later advance to an independent project focusing on one of the several areas of research focus in the lab. Please contact me to discuss opportunities in the lab.
We are hiring a post-doctoral research associate to study the chemical and agricultural ecology of plant-microbe interactions in apples. The successful applicant will collaborate on USDA and FFAR-funded research that examines how agricultural practices in apple orchards impact the fruit microbiome and the downstream consequences for fruit chemistry/quality, cider fermentation, and human health. The post-doc will be based in the Whitehead Lab and collaborate with multiple other research groups with diverse expertise, including Amanda Stewart (VT Food Science and Technology), Jacob Lahne (VT Food Science and Technology), Rob Knight (UC San Diego), Michael Wisniewski (VT Biology), Samir Droby (The Volcani Center, Israel), and Shiri Freilich (The Volcani Center, Israel). The post-doc will mentor students and lead diverse research activities in both the field and lab, including orchard surveys across the eastern US, experiments in our new research orchard, culture-dependent and culture-independent characterization of microbial communities, and phytochemical analyses of fruits and cider. The exact start date is negotiable between Nov 2020 and Feb 2021. With the application, please include a CV, a brief cover letter that includes a statement of interest and what you could contribute to the project, and a list of three references with contact info. Questions should be directed to swhitehead@vt.edu. Review of applications will begin Oct. 1 and continue until the position is filled.
*Qualifications*
A PhD in ecology, plant science, microbiology, or a related field.
*Additional desirable experience*
Please note that any of these skills would be helpful, but we do not expect candidates to have experience in all these areas. If you have a PhD and an interest in plant-microbe interactions and agroecology, please apply!
-Strong writing skills and evidence of ability to carry projects through to publication
-Experience with DNA extractions, PCR, amplicon sequencing, and bioinformatics pipelines
-Experience with culture-based microbial community analysis, maintaining culture collections, and conducting laboratory bioassays
-Experience designing and carrying out field experiments
-Background in analytical chemistry techniques such as HPLC
-Bioinformatic and statistical skill-set including programming/data analysis in R
-Experience with supervision/mentorship of student researchers
-Demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion in science
-Strong organization skills and experience managing project logistics such as travel, scheduling project personnel, maintaining equipment, and ordering/organizing supplies
*To apply*
Qualified applicants must electronically submit an online application at http://careers.pageuppeople.com/968/cw/en-us/job/514205/postdoctoral-associate. The application should include a CV, a brief cover letter that includes a statement of interest and what you could contribute to the lab, and a list of three references with contact info. Questions should be directed to swhitehead@vt.edu. Review of applications will begin on Oct. 1, 2020 and continue until the position is filled. Virginia Tech is committed to building a culturally diverse faculty and strongly encourages applications from women and minorities.
Virginia Tech does not discriminate against employees, students, or applicants on the basis of age, color, disability, gender, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, political affiliation, race, religion, sexual orientation, genetic information, or veteran status; or otherwise discriminate against employees or applicants who inquire about, discuss, or disclose their compensation or the compensation of other employees, or applicants; or any other basis protected by law.
For inquiries regarding non-discrimination policies, contact the executive director for Equity and Accessibility at 540-231-2010 or Virginia Tech, North End Center, Suite 2300 (0318), 300 Turner St. NW, Blacksburg, VA 24061.
If you are an individual with a disability and desire accommodation, please contact Dreama Price dreama@vt.edu or contact University ADA Services http://oea.vt.edu/ada-accessibility-services.html with any questions.
Graduate Research Opportunities
Interested in graduate studies (MS or PhD) in our lab? Please see the research section to learn more about current projects in the lab and read a few of our publications. If you have research interests that overlap with mine, please send me a brief letter describing your background and research interests and include a current CV. Also, please take the time to read this very helpful advice to prospective students (written by Deane Bowers at U of Colorado, but the same principles apply here). Graduate students will be supported with a combination of research and teaching assistantships in the Department of Biological Sciences. All students are also encouraged to apply for external fellowships such as the National Science Foundation Pre-doctoral Fellowship (https://www.nsfgrfp.org).
Please see https://www.biol.vt.edu/ for application details.
Undergraduate Research Opportunities
I am always looking for motivated undergraduates to join the lab. Generally students will begin as assistants on existing research projects, and can later advance to an independent project focusing on one of the several areas of research focus in the lab. Please contact me to discuss opportunities in the lab.
