Postdoc Position:
Genetic Ingredient Tracing for Next-Generation Sustainability Certification of Aquaculture Feeds
The Therkildsen and McIntyre Labs at Cornell University, in partnership with the Environmental Defense Fund’s Oceans Program and WorldFish, are hiring a postdoc for a project aiming to map out the sources of fish used to feed the global expansion of aquaculture. The postdoc position will offer leadership opportunities in two main areas. First, building on earlier metabarcoding work, we will explore the potential to leverage cost-effective shotgun sequencing approaches to examine the taxonomic composition and relative abundance of key constituents in aquaculture feeds collected worldwide. The resulting species lists will be used to assess the global geography of connections between the harvest of wild fish and the production of farmed fish. Second, we will engage with industry and NGOs to pave the way for integrating metagenomic tools into next-generation standards for aquaculture sustainability certification.
The ideal candidate will have completed a PhD by January 2022, have strong skills in molecular ecology (metabarcoding, metagenomics, and bioinformatics experience is especially relevant), demonstrated interests in fisheries and sustainable food systems, and a strong publication record commensurate with career stage. We will favor applicants with experience and commitment to outreach efforts that generate real-world impact from research results. We expect the postdoc to help design and execute genetic analyses in the lab, and to lead bioinformatic data processing and biogeographic inferences. Equally important, the postdoc will work directly with NGO, industry, and trade association partners to explore the role that DNA-based ingredient tracing can play in making aquaculture feed supply chains more sustainable. This project is a collaborative effort and will require a team-oriented approach, as the postdoc will work closely with both Cornell PIs, other academic collaborators, and our NGO partners.
The start-date is flexible, but could be as early as February 2022. A competitive salary and benefits package will be provided, and residence in Ithaca, NY is expected. The postdoc will join a vigorous multidisciplinary community of scholars in the Department of Natural Resources and the Environment, and the Cornell Atkinson Center for Sustainability. Cornell University and our project team embrace diversity, and seek candidates who will contribute to a climate that supports students, faculty and staff of all identities and backgrounds. We strongly encourage individuals from underrepresented and/or marginalized identities to apply.
To apply, please submit a 2-page letter of interest, a CV, contact information for 3 references, and a statement of contribution to diversity, equity, and inclusion (guidance here) via Academic Jobs Online at the following link: https://academicjobsonline.org/ajo/jobs/20018.
We welcome pre-application inquiries; feel free to email Nina (nt246@cornell.edu) and Pete (pbm3@cornell.edu) with any questions about this position. Review of applications will begin on November 30, 2021, and will continue until the position is filled.
