Postdoctoral Scholar Position: Soil Ecology/Entomology/Ecology

The Opportunity:  

A postdoctoral scholar position is available in the laboratory of Dr. Joshua King (http://sciences.ucf.edu/biology/king/ ) at the University of Central Florida to study the impacts of soil macrofauna (ants) on soil carbon and soil microbial communities. The postdoctoral associate will be part of a collaborative team (UCF, Yale University, University of Texas Tyler) working on integrative, NSF-funded research aimed at understanding how highly abundant social insects that live in the soil impact bacteria and fungi that live in or near their nests and how these, in turn, may impact organic soil carbon over local and large, regional scales. Translating local scale impacts across larger scales is a key part of the project.  

NSF Ecosystem Science cluster awards supporting this project can be viewed here:  

• https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=2230333&HistoricalAwards=false 

• https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=2230334&HistoricalAwards=false 

• https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=2230335&HistoricalAwards=false 

This position comes with 3 years of funding (salary, benefits, annual raises) with the possibility of a 4th year depending upon annual reviews. The postdoctoral scholar can expect opportunities and support to work with all the team members and labs involved in this project, a formal mentoring plan, numerous opportunities for publishing, professional development, skill development, and networking.  

Inquiries and questions prior to applying are welcome and potential candidates are also welcome to include Dr. Jon Seal (jseal@uttyler.edu) and Dr. Mark Bradford (mark.bradford.yale@gmail.com) on any inquiry emails. 

Responsibilities:   

Primary responsibilities of the postdoctoral scholar will include: 

• Executing field surveys and experiments. 

• Collecting, organizing, sharing, analyzing, and visualizing data.  

• Working collaboratively with the research team to publish and disseminate results. 

Minimum Qualifications:   

PhD in soil biology, soil ecology, entomology, ecology, or a related field. Experience working with soil macrofauna or social insects and/or conducting field experiments. Demonstrated research productivity (publications, presentations), data management, statistical analyses, and data visualization is expected.  

Preferred Qualifications:  

Experience with GIS, and experience with laboratory techniques such as generating and analyzing genetic and/or genomic datasets and associated bioinformatics, soil carbon fraction analytical techniques, and/or social insect husbandry are preferred but not required. Ability to work in rigorous field conditions (seasonally hot, humid weather) is expected.   

Application Materials:  

UCF requires all applications and supporting documents to be submitted electronically through the Human Resources employment opportunities website, https://www.ucf.edu/jobs/.  In addition to the online application, candidates should upload:  

• Cover Letter describing your relevant experience, research interests, and career goals.   

• Current CV/Resume  

• List of contact information of three references.   

Note: When applying, please have all your documents ready to upload at the same time. Once the online submission process is finalized, the system does not allow applicants to submit additional documents later.