Postdoctoral Position: Microbial communities associated with AM fungi

Boyce Thompson Institute for Plant Research; Forest Home (NY); On-site; USD 85,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

The Boyce Thompson Institute for Plant Research seeks a Ph.D.-level scientist to investigate how arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi and soil microbes form nutritionally based symbioses. The project will profile microbial communities associated with AM fungal hyphae to understand their roles in symbiosis.

Applicants should have a strong publication record and expertise in protein biochemistry, microbial genetics or metabolomics, with experience in microbial community analyses being advantageous.

Qualifications

• Must have a Ph.D. in microbiology or mycology.
• Strong publication record in relevant field.
• Experience with protein biochemistry, microbial genetics or microbial metabolomics.

Responsibilities

• Conduct experiments to study AM fungi and microbial interactions.
• Analyze microbial communities associated with extraradical hyphae.
• Prepare and submit manuscripts describing findings.

Skills

Strong publication record

Interdisciplinary collaboration

Education

Ph.D. in microbiology or mycology

Tools

Protein biochemistry

Microbial genetics

Microbial metabolomics

Microbial community analyses

Job description

Description

Background: Research in our group asks (at the molecular level) how do plants, arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi and microbes associate to form a nutritionally-based symbiosis? AM fungi are mutualistic endosymbionts of plants; their hyphae inhabit the root cortex and the soil, and within these widely differing environments they interact either with the plant, or with complex microbial communities. Profiling studies revealed that microbial communities, tightly associated with the extraradical hyphal, are conserved across fungal species and soils (1,2). This project will investigate how AM fungi and microbial interactions shape community composition and will explore community functions that impact AM fungi during symbiosis.

To Apply: Applicants should submit a CV, names of three references and a statement of research interests and relevant experience to Maria J. Harrison, ([e-mail]).

Project Location: The Boyce Thompson Institute is a non-profit research institute affiliated with Cornell University and located on the Cornell University campus in Ithaca, New York, www.bti.cornell.edu. EOE M/F/D/V

Literature Cited.
(1) Emmett, B.D., Lévesque-Tremblay, V. & Harrison, M.J. Conserved and reproducible bacterial communities associate with extraradical hyphae of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi. ISME J 15, 2276–2288 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41396-021-00920-2

(2) Kaminsky et al, in preparation (2026)

Requirements

Requirements: Applicants must have a Ph.D. in microbiology or mycology; a strong publication record and demonstrated expertise with either protein biochemistry, microbial genetics or microbial metabolomics. Experience with microbial community analyses is advantageous.