POSTDOCTORAL POSITION on microbial metagenomics in agricultural soils over winter
Fredericton, Canada
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC), Fredericton, NB is looking
for candidates for a post-doctoral fellowship position of 24 months,
to examine the nitrogen cycle process and related microbial
communities in agricultural fields over winter. It is generally
assumed that nitrogen processes in agricultural fields are negligible
during winter. However, winter production of the greenhouse gas
nitrous oxide can represent up to 90% of annual nitrogen
losses. Despite some evidences indicating that cold temperature
and/or freezing/thawing cycles might have a substantial effect on
microbial communities, there is scarce information as to how
microbial communities differ from summer communities and how this
translate into changes in function. The project's overall goal is to
evaluate changes in denitrifier and nitrifier communities in
agricultural fields over winter, determine possible environmental and
edaphic factors controlling these communities and measure emissions
of the greenhouse gas nitrous oxide, as well as denitrification and
nitrification rates. The successful candidate will be working on a
major collaborative initiative including university (Dr. David
Burton, University of Dalhousie) and AAFC researchers (Dr. Bernie
Zebarth (Fredericton) and Dr. Frank Larney (Lethbridge, AB)).
Applicants should have experience in next generation sequencing of
microbial communities. Experience with denitrifier or nitrifier
communities is not required; scientists with training in other soil
communities i.e. bacterial and/or fungal from soil, sediment or water
are welcome to apply.
Knowledge of English is required. The candidate needs to be Canadian
citizen or permanent resident and meet the criteria of the NSERC
Visiting Fellowship in Canadian Government Laboratories Program
The position will be opened until filled.
Please send a resume to: Dr. Claudia Goyer
Centre, AAFC, Fredericton, NB. Fax: (506) 460-4377.
Julie Cotton, M.S.
Academic Specialist
Sustainable Agriculture & Food Systems
Michigan State University
A264 Plant and Soil Science Building
East Lansing, MI 48824
517-355-0271 ext. 1156