Summary: The Freedman Lab at the University of Wisconsin-Madison is recruiting a PhD student to join our Soil Microbiology lab as soon as September 2020. Our research explores the biological, chemical and physical processes that influence soil microbial communities and the ecosystem processes they mediate in a global change context. Competitive applicants will have a strong interest in soil microbiology, ecology or a related field as well as a commitment to contributing to a collaborative, inclusive and fun learning environment. Some experience with assessments of soil microbiomes and biogeochemical processes as well as comfort with statistical analyses and bioinformatics using R is preferred. A wide range of research topics are possible, including but not limited to: (1) investigating the effects of soil nutrient availability on coupled biogeochemical processes in natural and/or managed ecosystems, (2) exploring the influence of biotic interactions (for example, competition and predation) on microbiome diversity and function (3) the development of novel, quick and cost-effective tools to improve predictions of microbial processes in soil.
Tuition Waiver and Stipend: The selected applicant will be appointed as a Graduate Research Assistant with a stipend of $24,816 per year plus health benefits and tuition remission.
To Apply: Interested students should send a single document with 1) a CV, 2) a one-page personal statement describing your scientific interests and career objectives and 3) contact information for two or three professional references to Dr. Zac Freedman at zfreedman@wisc.edu. Review of applications will begin immediately and will continue until the position is filled. Finalists will be instructed to submit a formal application to the UW-Madison Graduate School to be enrolled in the Soil Science Graduate Program (GRE required).
University and Community: UW-Madison has a strong culture of collaboration across fields, and the selected graduate student will interact with researchers from diverse fields, including microbiology, ecology and environmental studies. The university ranks consistently among the top research universities in the United States. Total student enrollment is 43,000 of which approximately 12,000 are graduate and professional students, and there are over 2,000 faculty. UW-Madison is an exciting place to learn and conduct research! The city of Madison ranks as one of the most attractive places in the U.S. to live and work. For information about the campus and city, please see http://www.wisc.edu/about/
The University of Wisconsin-Madison is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. We promote excellence through diversity and encourage all qualified individuals to apply.