Center for Diverse Leadership in Science -UCLA
Mentor/Scholar Postdoctoral Position in Environmental DNA metabarcoding and metagenomics with a community engagement focus

A candidate of outstanding potential is sought for a Center for Diverse Leadership in Science (CDLS) postdoctoral Mentor/scholar program based in UCLA’s Institute of the Environment and Sustainability and Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences Department (https://www.ioes.ucla.edu/diversity/). Recent publications from our group in this area include Waters et al., 2023a; Waters et al., 2023b. A completed Ph.D. in environmental DNA, metagenomics and/or functional genomics is required and candidates should have strong bioinformatics skills. Projects could be developed in a number of areas in discussion with prospective faculty mentors, but examples of current areas of interest include the use of environmental DNA metabarcoding to study coastal and marine conservation, restoration, and climate change mitigation efforts, metagenomics in the evaluation of land use changes in former plantation areas of the Caribbean, transcriptome analyses of corals, and spatial and temporal scales recorded by environmental DNA in the air and ocean.

In addition, we seek candidates with aspiration to be an effective mentor to students from diverse backgrounds and contributing to inclusive research and educational environments. The candidate will have the opportunity to develop a research cluster of mentee’s at the graduate level, and undergraduate level who are early career fellows of CDLS, and support relationships with students from minority-serving institutions including HBCUs and Hispanic-Serving Institutions and tribal institutions. We have a strong record in community engaged research and working with outside nonacademic partners and it is hoped the incoming fellow will show an interest in developing aspects of their work in that area.

It is intended that the position will allow the candidate to become both a scientific leader as well as a leader in the practice of inclusive excellence in science. The position will include opportunities to attend career development workshops and conferences to that end. The position is for two years initially, renewable up to two years.

References cited:

Waters, T., Langlois K., Gold Z., Theroux S., Eagle, RA. Hidden in plain sight: the invasive macroalga Caulerpa prolifera evades detection by environmental DNA methods due to negligible shedding. Environmental DNA (2023).
Waters, T, Gold Z., Obaza A., Ambrose RF, Eagle RA. Environmental DNA metabarcoding reveals distinct fish assemblages supported by seagrass (Zostera marina and Zostera pacifica) beds in different geographic settings in Southern California. (2023). PloS ONE (2023) (10), e0286228.

How to Apply:

Apply online on the UCLA Recruitment site (https://recruit.apo.ucla.edu/apply) and please include a full CV, a cover letter stating your research interests, a statement of mentorship aspirations and broader impacts, and names of three individuals familiar with their work.

Please include the following materials:

A cover letter describing background, experiences, and career objectives (two pages max).
A curriculum vitae (CV), including a complete list of publications.
A brief personal statement of research and training objectives (1-2 pages will suffice).

Please provide contact information for your references. Names and contact information for at least 3 professional references. Your references may or may not be contacted for letters of recommendation.

The University of California is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age or protected veteran status. For the complete University of California nondiscrimination and affirmative action policy see: UC Nondiscrimination and Affirmative Action Policy.