Postdoctoral Associate – Microbial Ecology & Genomics

About the role

The University of Miami’s College of Arts and Sciences seeks a full‑time Postdoctoral Associate to join the Silveira Lab in Coral Gables, FL. The position supports a NASA‑funded project investigating how bacteriophages influence geochemical biomarker production by green and purple sulfur bacteria, with implications for Earth’s ancient oceans and astrobiology.

Key responsibilities

• Design and execute field experiments and mesocosm studies in collaboration with partner institutions.
• Perform bioinformatic and statistical analyses of metagenomic datasets.
• Investigate bacteriophage–host interactions and their impact on microbial community metabolism.
• Prepare and present findings at scientific conferences and contribute to peer‑reviewed publications.
• Maintain laboratory cultures under anaerobic conditions and ensure data quality.

Required profile

• Ph.D. in Microbial Ecology, Genomics, Environmental Microbiology or a related discipline.
• Strong publication record and ability to work in multidisciplinary teams.
• Willingness to conduct fieldwork lasting two weeks to two months in challenging environments.

Required skills

• Metagenomics and bioinformatics analysis.
• Statistical methods for large‑scale data sets.
• Microbial ecology and genomics techniques.

What we offer

• One‑year fixed‑term contract with possible renewal based on performance.
• Collaboration with researchers at University of Pittsburgh, IUPUI, and University of Lausanne.
• Access to career development resources and professional networking opportunities.