Applications are invited for a postdoctoral scholar to engage in research on tree-ectomycorrhizal mutualisms. The postdoc will have the opportunity to work on one of a number of active research projects in the Moeller Lab at the University of California, Santa Barbara, using greenhouse and/or field studies to understand the community ecology of plant-fungal associations. Projects include but are not limited to (1) quantifying information and resource exchange between host plants with a shared fungal community, (2) understanding the role of fungal traits in shaping these exchanges, (3) determining the role of environmental variation in the maintenance of fungal diversity, and (4) engineering mycorrhizal networks of resource exchange.
The appointee will be responsible for leading the design, conduct, and analysis of a series of greenhouse studies; opportunities also exist for participation in fieldwork in California and beyond. The appointee may work on one or multiple projects, depending upon interests and past experience; opportunities also exist to collaborate with mathematical modelers and develop or build upon an appointee’s quantitative skillset. We are especially interested in recruiting individuals with experience in plant-fungal mutualisms, seedling bioassays, and/or plant or fungal physiology.
The postdoctoral scholar(s) will also be encouraged to develop independent but related lines of inquiry and to take advantage of professional development opportunities available at UC Santa Barbara and through collaborations, meeting attendance, etc.
The appointee will be based at UCSB in the laboratory of Dr. Holly Moeller, and will have the opportunity to collaborate with Dr. Leander Anderegg (UCSB), Dr. Laura Bogar (UC Davis), and Dr. Robyn Barbato (CRREL). The project includes funds for travel for collaborative visits to other institutions.
The University is especially interested in candidates who can contribute to the diversity and excellence of the academic community through research, teaching and service as appropriate to the position.