Posting ID: 23922BR
Department: Environmental Studies Program
Primary Campus: University of Kansas Lawrence Campus
Work Location Assignment: Telework
Reg/Temp: Regular
Employee Class: U-Unclassified Professional Staff
Application Review Begins: 06-Jan-2023
Position Overview
The Aquatic Intermittency effects on Microbiomes in Streams (AIMS) project seeks applications for a 50% Postdoctoral Associate / 50% Data Coordinator position. We are looking for motivated, energetic, and creative recent Ph.D. biologists, biogeochemists, data analysists or hydrologists to join our team of 50 collaborators. This multi-institutional interdisciplinary research program spans four states (KS, ID, AL, MS) and eight institutions (University of Kansas, Haskell Indian Nations University, Kansas State Univ., Idaho State, Univ of Alabama, Alabama A&M, Southern Mississippi Univ, Univ of Mississippi). Additional information about the AIMS Project can be found on our Open Science Framework site. Data manager duties include collating and managing data collected by the project, working with the project’s investigators to design and deliver data products to long-term open access repositories, training graduate and undergraduate students to track and QA/QC the various types of project data. In addition to the duties of data coordination, we are looking for an interested postdoctoral candidate with compelling research ideas that can leverage existing data generated by the project. This position will be expected to conduct research in collaboration with AIMS member(s) and disseminate research results to the scientific community including leading collaborative manuscripts and presenting project data at state, national, and international conferences. Expertise in environmental sensor, sequencing data and/or geospatial data is required. This position will be based at the University of Kansas in Lawrence, KS, but exceptional candidates with remote-work only requirements will be considered. The position is available immediately and will be hired on a one-year contract, with the expectation of renewal for a second year pending satisfactory performance.
Job Description
Post-Doctoral Research (50%)
The postdoctoral researcher will conduct research at the intersection of hydrology, biogeochemistry, and microbial ecology in intermittent stream ecosystems, and will develop a specific research program in at least one of these areas in collaboration with relevant project investigators. Specific job duties under the postdoctoral researcher category include:
1. Conduct analyses using AIMS’ core datasets with preference given to analyses that can combine two or more types of data generated on the project.
2. Prepare and present updates on on-going research and analyses for various sub-groups of the larger AIMS project.
3. Participate in group meetings, seminars, workshops, and conferences.
4. Assist with the mentoring and training of graduate students across the AIMS project.
5. Maintaining a current understanding of the literature and how AIMS’ contributions fit in.
Data Management (50%)
The AIMS Data Manager will maintain a data management system to collate and organize data (biogeochemical, environmental sequencing, and geospatial data) and metadata (field and laboratory). This may include but is not limited to:
1. Implement the data management plan outlined in the project proposal
2. Work with and refine the current AIMS data management system
3. Communicate with project members about expectations of data management plan, including answering questions and clarifying policies
a. Meeting regularly with AIMS’ regional and disciplinary groups to ensure data QA/QC, migration and storage follow protocols already in place
b. Training students and faculty in how to organize and access data
4. Facilitate, with others in the project, the (1) tracking of samples and data streams from the multiple sites across the project; (2) collation of data from field sites and laboratory experiments and implementing QA/QC procedures; (3) security and back ups of data; (4) accessibility of fully QA/QC’d data across the project in a timely manner.
5. Participate in organizing and teaching Carpentries workshops across the project.
6. Create or enhance an existing Carpentries teaching module as an AIMS product.
7. Facilitate the finalization of data products to be deposited in public repositories.
Required Qualifications
1. Ph.D. degree in bio- or geoscience or closely related field.
2. Evidence of strong written communications skills as evidenced by application materials.
3. Previous experience working with large datasets including genomics, spatial, hydrological, or biogeochemical data.
4. Experience in software for managing large data files.
5. Experience with programming in Python and/or R, and collaborative coding practices including Git.
6. Experience with developing data processing pipelines using R and/or Python
Candidates will be evaluated on the candidate’s research experience and communication skills, as evidenced by (i) a resume and cover letter, (ii) prior research publications and/or patent applications, (iii) references, and (iv) interview by videoconference.
Preferred Qualifications
1. Previous experience integrating and analyzing multiple types of genomic, spatial, hydrological, and biogeochemical data.
2. Certification as an instructor through The Carpentries Foundation.
3. Previous experience managing data on/for a multi-investigator project.
4. Experience working collaboratively with a team of scientists across multiple institutions.
5. Experience in automated report generation (R-Markdown) or dashboard development (R-Shiny)
6. Experience with C++, SQL, SML, JSON, or similar programming languages.
7. Excellent English verbal communication skills and publication record.
Additional Candidate Instructions
A complete application will require the following:
1. Online application
2. Cover letter clearly stating the following:
a. A brief overview of the Ph.D. work and general research interests
b. An expression of interest in the types of data that AIMS is collecting and how it relates to previous research experience
c. A statement of experience with the data tools mentioned in the qualifications, with clear evidence provided when either required or preferred qualifications are met by the candidate’s work history
d. A statement of interest or commitment to advancing Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging in the sciences, particularly as it relates to mentoring trainees.
3. Curriculum vitae with complete background/work history
4. Contact information for three professional references
Review of applications will begin on January 6, 2023 and will continue until a qualified applicant pool has been identified.
Contact Information to Applicants: Dr. Amy Burgin, burginam@ku.edu
Advertised Salary Range: $50,000
Work Schedule: M-W/8-5 but schedule can be flexible
Application Review Begins: Friday, January 6, 2023
Anticipated Start Date: Monday, February 6, 2023
