ENVIRONMENTAL BIOTECHNOLOGY

POSTDOCTORAL POSITIONS available in the following areas:

Adaptive Evolution

Geobacter species and other environmentally relevant organisms can be evolved for enhanced performance in energy production, bioremediation, etc. Identify beneficial mutations and evaluate their role in contributing to processes of interest.

Metagenomics and Molecular Ecology

Evaluate the function and activity of Geobacter and other organisms involved in groundwater bioremediation through the analysis of environmental genomic and proteomic data as well as elucidation of in situ gene expression.

Genome-Scale In Silico Modeling of Bioremediation

Develop constraint-based models based on the genome sequences of environmentally relevant organisms and couple these models with hydrological and geochemical models.

Reductive Dechlorination

Investigate novel methods of improving bioremediation of chlorinated contaminants with new strategies for stimulating this process and genome-scale modeling and genetic manipulation of dechlorinating microorganisms.

Microbial Fuel Cells

Investigate mechanisms of electron transfer between microorganisms and electrodes; model functioning of microbial fuel cells; and improve power output via adaptive evolution and genetic engineering.

For research program details please visit geobacter.org. Please email curriculum vitae and names of three references to: Dr. Derek Lovley, Environmental Biotechnology Center, Department of Microbiology, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA. Email: dlovley@microbio.umass.edu or send information to Search Committee Chair R23 Microbiology, 203N Morrill IVN, UMASS, Amherst, MA 01003. Review of applications will begin December 15, 2007 and continue until the positions are filled. UMASS is an Affirmative Action Employer/Equal Opportunity. Women and members of minority groups are encouraged to apply.