Job Abstract

Title:
Post Doctoral Research Associate - Barden Lab

Department:
Biological Sciences

Reports To:
Professor and Chair, Biological Sciences Biological Sciences

Position Type:
Staff

Position Summary:
The Barden Lab (bardenlab.org) at the New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT) is soliciting applications for Postdoctoral Research Associate position focused on community assembly and extinction. The position is part of an NSF grant detailed here that combines data from living and fossil ant species in a unique island setting. Project aims are to 1) characterize the fossil and living communities through taxonomic descriptions, phylogenetic reconstruction, and ecological reconstruction; 2) test hypotheses related to extinction selectivity, faunal turnover, and macroevolutionary contributions to community assembly; 3) create K-12 education materials and open-source resources for educators as well as other researchers. Research in the lab is fundamentally comparative and incorporates data from multiple species simultaneously to answer broad evolutionary questions.

The position is initially for one year and will be renewed for a second year subject to satisfactory performance at a salary of $61,093. Starting date is flexible within 2024. Applications will be accepted until July 14, 2024.

The lab is part of the Federated Department of Biological Sciences, which spans Rutgers University–Newark and the New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT). Located in NJIT’s urban campus in Newark, the lab is part of a vibrant and active research department, with strengths in ecology, systematics, animal behavior, functional morphology, as well as cellular and neurobiology.

Essential Functions:
- Generate, curate, and analyze molecular and phenotypic data from extant and fossil ant specimens.
- Act as a mentor to diverse students in the lab, as well as collaborate effectively with colleagues and support staff.
- Contribute to or lead lab publications, conference submissions, as well as grant proposals.
- Through mentorship and strategic planning with the PI, develop additional skills and experience valuable to long-term career goals.

Prerequisite Qualifications:
- Experience in any of the following areas is helpful but not required: UCE or targeted enrichment sequencing and phylogenetic analysis; terrestrial arthropod fieldwork and specimen handling; CT-scanning or morphometric analysis; phylogenetic comparative methods; macroevolutionary or ecological analyses with a deep-time component; K-12 outreach and education; undergraduate and graduate student mentorship.
- Please do not self-select if you are concerned you are not eligible for this position because you are missing some of the experience listed above. No candidate is expected to have all these qualifications and the position will include opportunities to gain exposure to each.
- At the university's discretion, the education and experience prerequisites may be exempted where the candidate can demonstrate to the satisfaction of the university, an equivalent combination of education and experience specifically preparing the candidate for success in the position.

Preferred Qualifications:
The successful candidate will receive direct guidance in mentoring students, the development of new scientific skillsets, and career planning. In addition, funding is available to attend development workshops and conferences. Part of project planning will include a roadmap for generating products that correspond with the candidate’s long-term career goals.

Bargaining Unit:
AFT-UCAN

FLSA:
Exempt
Full-Time

Special Instructions to Applicants:
Potential candidates are strongly encouraged to contact Phil Barden to discuss potential projects and learn more (barden@njit.edu). Updates to the hiring timeline and a link to the NJIT hiring portal will be posted here once available: https://bardenlab.org/join-the-lab.