Job Search

Postdoctoral Position:  Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi and hyphae-associated microbial communities

A postdoctoral position is available to join a research group studying the association of plants and arbuscular mycorrhiza (AM) fungi. AM fungi are mutualistic endosymbionts of plants; their hyphae inhabit the root cortex and the soil, and within these widely differing environments they interact with complex microbial communities. Recent profiling studies revealed that microbial communities tightly associated with extraradical hyphal surfaces are conserved across fungal species and soils (1). This project will investigate the influence of plant genotype on community composition, use high-resolution spatial mapping to map the spatial structure of hyphal microbe communities, and analyze community functions.

Requirements:Applicants must have a Ph.D. in microbial genomics, plant-microbiomes or microbiology; a strong publication record and demonstrated expertise with sequence-based microbial community analyses, or analyses of microbiome functions. Experience with microbial genetics, secondary metabolites, chemistry or microscopy is advantageous.

Project Location:  The Boyce Thompson Institute is a non-profit research institute affiliated with Cornell University and located on the Cornell University campus in Ithaca, New York, www.bti.cornell.edu. EOE M/F/D/V

Literature Cited.
(1) Emmett, B.D., Lévesque-Tremblay, V. & Harrison, M.J. Conserved and reproducible bacterial communities associate with extraradical hyphae of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi. ISME J 15, 2276–2288 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41396-021-00920-2

To prevent the infection and spread of COVID-19, and as an integral part of its public health and safety measures, BTI requires that all successful applicants shall be required to show proof of full vaccination by an FDA-approved COVID-19 vaccine before beginning employment, unless an exemption from this policy has been granted as an accommodation or otherwise.  Applicants believing they need an accommodation of this policy because of a disability, sincerely-held religious belief, or otherwise should inform Human Resources after an offer of employment is extended; please do not include any medical, genetic, or religious information on your application materials.

“The Boyce Thompson Institute provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type in regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. If you require an accommodation for a disability in order to complete an employment application or to participate in the recruiting process, you are encouraged to send a request for assistance to btihr@cornell.edu. BTI prides itself on family-friendly policies and is committed to helping its staff achieve career success with an appropriate work-life balance.”