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...
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.