Microbial ecology lab (Liao lab) is now recruiting graduate students!! Location: North Florida Research and Education Center, University of Florida
If you are interested in the position(s) below, please send the Application Materials to [email protected] before the application deadline.
We will try to contact the qualified individuals for the first round of interviews within 3 weeks after your package is received. Applicants who are not selected for the first round of interviews may not be contacted since massive applications may be received. Sorry for the inconvenience.
PhD student position for microbiome research associated with fungal-plant mutualism in forest systems
The Liao lab is recruiting one PhD student to study the genetic-level interactions of pine and their keystone symbionts (ectomycorrhizal fungi). The PhD student will apply integrated metaomics (metagenomics, metatranscriptomics and metaproteomics), chemical imaging and CRISPR-mediated gene editing approaches to examine the molecular communication of fungi and their host plants in response to the stresses, including heavy metal contamination. The project will involve in examining the influence of fungal symbiont genetics and physiology in sheltering their host plants against stresses. This project aims at understanding whether genetic-based evolution of symbionts allow their host plant to avoid environmental stress and escape from natural selection. The overall expectation for this research position is to develop genetic and evolution-based prediction models to address the impact of environmental change on symbiotic association and plant fitness, as well as to identify bioindicators involved in host plant recovery from stress exposure.
Preferred Qualifications: B.S. or M.S. in molecular biology, microbiology, plant pathology, bioinformatics or related area with knowledge, skills and the interests specifying to microbiology, molecular biology, biotechnology. Experience working in a molecular biology laboratory is strongly preferred.
Application materials: Please send your Curriculum Vita, 1-3 pages Research Statement, and contact information of three references to [email protected].
Other note: This position is supported by NSF NSF-IOS-PBI-2029168 (yrs22-27).