Postdoctoral Research Associate in Microbe-Mineral Interactions

About the role

The Bioimaging Team at NSLS-II is seeking a Postdoctoral Research Associate to investigate microbe-mineral interactions, focusing on critical minerals. This role integrates advanced synchrotron-based imaging and spectroscopy with multi-omics approaches to understand molecular mechanisms of microbial transformations of minerals.

Responsibilities

• Design and conduct experiments to elucidate microbial interactions with mineral phases under environmentally relevant conditions
• Investigate transcriptomic and genomic responses to fungi-mineral interactions for nutrient uptake
• Apply synchrotron-based techniques (e.g., X-ray fluorescence microscopy, XANES/EXAFS) to characterize mineral speciation, spatial distributions, and microbe-mineral interfaces
• Integrate imaging and omics datasets to identify molecular pathways involved in mineral solubilization, biomineralization, sorption, and redox transformations
• Publish results in peer-reviewed journals and present findings at scientific conferences

Requirements

• Ph.D. in Molecular Biology, Genetics, Plant Biology or a closely related field
• Demonstrated experience in omics approaches, including genomics, transcriptomics, and proteomics
• Strong record of peer-reviewed publications
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a multidisciplinary environment

Preferred

• Experience with synchrotron-based techniques or advanced microscopy
• Experience integrating multi-modal datasets (omics + imaging/spectroscopy)
• Programming experience (e.g., Python, R, or similar tools for data analysis)

Additional Information

Candidates must have received a Ph.D. by the commencement of employment. BNL policy requires that after obtaining their PhD, eligible candidates for research associate appointments may not exceed a combined total of 5 years of relevant work experience as a post-doc and/or in an R&D position, excluding time associated with family planning, military service, illness or other life-changing events. Initial 2-year term appointment subject to renewal based on performance and funding. Brookhaven Laboratory is committed to providing fair, equitable and competitive compensation. The full salary range for this position is $78,000 - $100,000/year. You will be placed at the level and salary commensurate with your experience. Salary offers will be commensurate with the final candidate’s qualification, education and experience and considered with the internal peer group. Brookhaven National Laboratory is committed to employee success and we believe that a comprehensive employee benefits program is an important and meaningful part of the compensation employees receive. Review more information at BNL | Benefits Program. Brookhaven National Laboratory requires all non-badged personnel including visitors to produce a REAL-ID or REAL-ID compliant documentation to access Brookhaven National Laboratory – view more information at www.bnl.gov/real-id. This is due to nationwide identification requirements for federal site access as required by the federal REAL ID Act. Those not in possession of a REAL ID-compliant document will not be permitted to access the site which includes access to the Laboratory for interviews. As a U.S. Department of Energy laboratory, Brookhaven National Laboratory requires employees to obtain and maintain a DOE Uncleared Personal Identity Verification (UPIV) credential in accordance with Homeland Security Presidential Directive 12 (HSPD-12) requirements. The credentialing process is completed as part of onboarding and enables access to DOE facilities and information systems. As a condition of employment, the selected candidate must be able to obtain and maintain a UPIV credential. These requirements are established under DOE Order 206.2 Chg. 2, Identity, Credential, and Access Management (ICAM), and DOE Order 473.1A- Physical Protection Program- Physical Protection Program. About Us Brookhaven National Laboratory (www.bnl.gov) delivers discovery science and transformative technology to power and secure the nation’s future. Brookhaven Lab is a multidisciplinary laboratory with seven Nobel Prize-winning discoveries, 37 R&D 100 Awards, and more than 70 years of pioneering research. The Lab is primarily supported by the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Office of Science. Brookhaven Science Associates (BSA) operates and manages the Laboratory for DOE. BSA is a partnership between Battelle and The Research Foundation for the State University of New York on behalf of Stony Brook University. BSA salutes our veterans and active military members with careers that leverage the skills and unique experience they gained while serving our country, learn more at BNL | Opportunities for Veterans at Brookhaven National Laboratory. Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer Guided by our core values of integrity, responsibility, innovation, respect, and teamwork, Brookhaven Science Associates is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer-Vets/Disabled. We are committed to fostering a respectful and collaborative environment that fuels scientific discovery. We consider all qualified applicants without regard to any characteristic protected by law. All qualified individuals are encouraged to apply. We ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation.