Position Summary

Michigan State University’s Department of Plant, Soil and Microbial Sciences seeks a highly motivated Post-doctoral Research Scholar to support a USDA-NIFA and MSU funded project investigating how crop bacteriomes determine plant growth traits, nitrogen fixation, and yield. 

This is a 12-month, full-time research appointment, renewable annually based on performance and funding.

Duties and Responsibilities

The Postdoctoral Research Scholar will contribute to all major components of the funded projects, including but not limited to:

• Field and greenhouse research across diverse environments
• Leadership in Lab, including personnel and equipment 
• Microbiome sequencing (16S/ITS), genomics, shotgun metagenomics, and transcriptomics 
•  Multivariate and statistical modeling of bacteriome–trait relationships; Bacteriome GWAS 
• Manuscripts, presentations, and mentoring students
• Coordinating sample processing of soil, leaf, stem nodule, seed, and root-zone microbiomes

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, citizenship, age, disability or protected veteran status.

Required Degree

Doctorate -Microbiology, microbial ecology, soil science, environmental science, plant biology, molecular biology, bioinformatics, or a related discipline

Minimum Requirements

• Ph.D. in microbiology, microbial ecology, soil science, environmental science, plant biology, molecular biology, bioinformatics, or a related discipline 
• Experience in microbiome sequencing or plant–microbe interaction
• Evidence of hypothesis-driven research and peer-reviewed publication
• Strong communication and organizational skills 

Desired Qualifications

• Experience with multivariate ecological statistics or machine learning and GWA 
• Experience with Field research in agronomy or environmental microbiology 
• Experience with gnotobiotic or controlled inoculation experiments 
• Familiarity with Bradyrhizobium or Pseudomonas biology

Required Application Materials

• Cover Letter
• CV/Resume
• Name and contact information for 3 (Three) Professional References 
• Brief Research Statement

Special Instructions

Contact Dr. Mark Williams (markwill@msu.edu) for inquires on position.

Review of Applications Begins On

03/13/2026

Website

https://www.canr.msu.edu/psm/

MSU Statement

Michigan State University has been advancing the common good with uncommon will for more than 160 years. One of the top research universities in the world, MSU pushes the boundaries of discovery and forges enduring partnerships to solve the most pressing global challenges while providing life-changing opportunities to a diverse and inclusive academic community through more than 200 programs of study in 17 degree-granting colleges.

About Michigan State University

Spartans work every day to advance the common good in uncommon ways.Together, we tackle some of the world?s toughest problems to find solutions that make life better?from alternative energy to better food safety to breakthrough medical and environmental applications achieved through rare isotope research.We teach. We explore and we discover. We collaborate and lead. We innovate, inspire, and empower. We achieve our potential and create circumstances that help our students and others achieve theirs.We're good at it, and we've been at it for more than 150 years.The nation?s pioneer land-grant university, MSU began as a bold experiment that democratized higher education and helped bring science and innovation into everyday life. The revolutionary concept became a model for the nation.Today, MSU is one of the top research universities in the world?on one of the biggest, greenest campuses in the nation. Home to nationally ranked and recognized academic, residential college, and service-learning programs, we?re a diverse community of dedicated students and scholars, athletes and artists, scientists and leaders.In ways both practical and profound, we work to create a stronger, more sustainable, and more hopeful future for all.

Connections working at Michigan State University